The Co-op has unveiled plans to open or refurbish 50 stores before Christmas, as part of a wider programme that will see over 200 stores upgraded or launched this financial year. The £200 million investment marks a major step in the retailer’s recovery following a significant cyber attack earlier this year.
The group, which operates more than 2,300 food stores across the UK and counts 6.9 million members, said the programme reflects its confidence in the future of the high street. Chief Executive Shirine Khoury-Haq stressed that while the company is investing heavily, reform of business rates is essential to maintain long-term growth.
“We’re investing in stores and communities right across the UK because we believe in the future of the high street,” Khoury-Haq said. “Sustained growth needs certainty. Business rates reform is vital if retailers — especially the 99% who run small stores — are to plan with confidence, protect jobs and keep local economies thriving.”
The latest rollout will include 14 brand-new stores, including one at the Brent Cross Town development in London, where the Co-op will become the site’s first permanent retailer. Five micro-format “on the go” stores will serve busy urban locations, while a new franchise store is set to open at Lancaster University. The remainder of the 50 outlets will reopen following extensive refurbishments, featuring updated designs and expanded product ranges.
The investment comes after a large-scale cyber attack in April, which the Co-op said would reduce annual earnings by around £120 million and cause £206 million in lost sales. Hackers reportedly impersonated employees to access internal systems and copy member data, though no ransomware was installed and the company’s broader infrastructure was not deeply affected. The incident caused temporary shortages on some shelves and disrupted supply chains, prompting the retailer to accelerate investment in digital resilience.
Ahead of the autumn Budget, the Co-op joined other major UK retailers in calling on the government to deliver long-promised business rates reform. The current system, based on commercial property values, has been widely criticised for placing a heavy burden on high street and small retailers.
“Co-op is showing what’s possible when businesses commit to communities,” Khoury-Haq said. “The government now has an opportunity in the autumn Budget to do its part by delivering reform that’s long been promised — giving every retailer, from small to large, the stability to invest and grow.”
Analysts said the expansion demonstrates the resilience of community-focused convenience models and underlines the continued relevance of physical retail, even amid rising costs, inflation, and online competition. If successful, the programme could help the Co-op regain lost ground and reinforce its position as one of the UK’s most community-oriented retailers, offering a rare boost of optimism for the struggling high street sector.
