The Co-op news and analysis
The Co-op is a British convenience retailer with more than 2,500 stores, known for its member-owned business model. It runs a membership scheme that rewards shoppers and supports local causes. The Grocer covers the Co-op with news, analysis, insight and opinion, including developments in store formats, sustainability initiatives, and competitive positioning.
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NewsLincolnshire Co-op partners with Holland & Barrett to boost wellbeing offer
The range has been introduced into 28 of its 94 food stores, spanning products such as omega fish oil, collagen tablets and multivitamins
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NewsSouthern Co-op merger with Co-op Group confirmed
The merger is set to create an organisation with sales of circa £11.5bn
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NewsAsda launches £5 premium lunchtime meal deal to undercut rivals
Asda said it had deliberately undercut rivals’ premium deals
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NewsChris Packham calls for Co-op CEO to ban ‘Frankenchickens’
Packham has called on the supermarket to stop sourcing ultra-fast-growing chicken breeds known as ‘Frankenchickens’
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NewsCo-op lands two more university campus stores in Birmingham and Glasgow
The stores are catered to the needs of the student, research and teacher populations, according to the Co-op
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NewsHeart of England Co-op freezes prices on essentials as shoppers feel the pinch
Products protected from price increases span meat, fruit, vegetable and dairy products
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NewsCo-op launches national digital screen advertising proposition
Co-op’s network of more than 1,000 digital advertising screens on the front of its stores makes it the fourth-largest digital screen estate in the UK
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NewsCo-op sets sights on 100 franchise sites as expansion accelerates
The convenience retailer said franchise stores enabled it to ‘bring the benefits of membership to new and diverse communities’
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NewsSouthern Co-op expands partnership with Snappy Shopper
The society has now rolled out the home delivery service to 140 stores, which represents around 80% of its food estate
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NewsSouthern Co-op members overwhelmingly back merger plans
A vote at a Special General Meeting held today saw 97.07% of Southern Co-op members backing the plans
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Comment & OpinionSouthern Co-op’s merger must go ahead if it is to adapt and survive
Without intervention, Southern Co-op would likely not be able to continue trading in its current form, say CEO Ben Stimson and chair Janet Paraskeva
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Comment & OpinionSouthern Co-op’s dismissal of OurCoop raises big questions
I first noticed there was a problem with Southern Co-op in early March, when staff told me they no longer supplied the 20p bags. If you are cutting costs at the sharp end, there is a problem, says Tom Blair, a former director of Southern Co-op
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NewsCo-op raises concerns over food security as imported meat soars
The amount of meat imported into the UK amounted to £5bn last year, a rise of 15% year on year
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Comment & OpinionEditor’s picks: Southern Co-op merger latest, whisky tariffs, election promises
In the latest chapter of grocery’s very own soap opera, Southern Co-op has rejected an approach from the UK’s largest independent co-operative society, OurCoop, which appeared to offer an alternative to its proposed merger with the Co-op Group
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NewsSouthern Co-op dismisses partnership approach from OurCoop
OurCoop made an initial approach to Southern on 20 April in a letter to Southern Co-op chair Janet Paraskeva from OurCoop president Elaine Dean and CEO Debbie Robinson
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NewsLidl matches Morrisons in grocery market share again
Lidl’s sales rose by 8.8% year on year in the 12 weeks to 19 April 2026, to put it again level in market share with Morrisons
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Range PreviewMortadella & mascarpone focaccia and pickle crisps: Co-op summer food-to-go range 2026
Co-op is adding 21 new lines to its summer 2026 food-to-go range, including 10 new mains and 11 new snacks for its lunchtime meal deal
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NewsSouthern Co-op warns of insolvency without merger
If members vote ‘no’, Southern Co-op said an external administrator would be appointed
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NewsCo-op Wholesale debuts revamped trade show one year on from Nisa rebrand
More than 100 suppliers exhibited their products, which collectively offered 300 on-the-day exclusive deals for attending retailers
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NewsFormer Co-op quick commerce chief lands role at last-mile platform Bringg
‘Chris built one of the UK’s most successful delivery operations as a Bringg customer and decided to come over and build it for others’