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Source: Midcounties Co-op

The trial stores span Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire and Staffordshire

Midcounties Co-op has launched a click & collect service in 25 stores in a bid to support local communities and suppliers.

The products available via the facility are from its ‘Best of our Counties’ range, which consists of food sourced from local farmers, suppliers and producers.

These range from fruit and vegetables to cheese, pies and cakes. Food hamper bundles are also offered to cater for a range of occasions, including roast dinners, cheese boards and breakfasts.

It will also be introducing some Christmas lines in the coming weeks.

The society said products available will change throughout the year based on the best seasonal offerings at the time.

The trial stores span Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire and Staffordshire.

Midcounties Co-op told The Grocer it will consider a wider rollout across its estate in the new year depending on what it learns from the pilot. It currently operates 228 food stores.

“We’re so pleased to have launched this click & collect service to showcase the exceptional high-quality food and produce that’s in our Best of our Counties range,” said Midcounties Co-op chief food retail officer Rupert Newman.

“Via our new click & collect service, customers are not only helping to support local suppliers and communities after what’s been a really difficult year, but they’re also helping to cut down thousands of food miles per year which has great environmental benefits too.”