The Co-op has launched its first franchised store at a service station, with the opening of Co-op Cornwall Services. The new outlet is the 15th franchised store for the convenience retailer.
Its existing franchise estate includes independent retailers, university campuses, Nisa partners, Costcutter company-owned stores and its first partnership with a catering business, Gather & Gather. The Co-op sees the new service station store highlighting the brands breadth, diversity and agility of its franchise proposition.
The company says the new 2,000 sq. ft. Co-op store (located off the Victoria Interchange junction off the A30) will open between 7am-10pm seven days a week, support 20 local jobs and run on 100 per cent renewable electricity.
Designed to service business travellers, commuters and tourists who pass through the area, the store offers customers an extensive food-to-go range with hot and cold sandwiches, snacks and chilled drinks. An in-store bakery will also offer pastries and Co-op’s Ever Ground Fairtrade coffee.
Martin Rogers, head of new channels at the Co-op, said: “We’re always looking for ways to reach new customers and members, and our Cornwall Services store is a great example of how our franchise model can flex to work in a number of different locations to meet differing customer missions.
“The Cornwall Services’ Co-op is a fantastic looking store in a cutting-edge service station in the heart of the county and will add a real point of difference for commuters, giving them access to award-winning and quality food on the go.
“Our franchise offering has gone from strength to strength as we focus on generating mutual value with forward thinking like-minded partners and our expertise and learnings in this area are helping us access new markets all over the country.”
Mark Upton, the store owner, said: “We’re really excited to launch the first ever Co-op in a service station site at Cornwall Services. The store has a fantastic modern look, a substantial range and competitive prices that provides a convenient solution for tourists and for local people to stop off and top-up on their commute.”
The Co-op also reports that it has recently upgraded its membership at the BFA and is now an associate member of the association, which it sees as reinforcing its brand as a credible franchise partner.
Through its full-service franchise model, the Co-op says it offers a unique proposition for independent retailers who share its values and principles to become part of the Co-op community, giving more customers access to stores, in great locations by providing award winning food and drink, conveniently.
www.coop.co.uk/franchise