Co-op has announced it is underway with the planned opening and reopening of 18 stores in the first three months of this year.

The retailer has already opened its first new store of the new year at the Willowbrook Park development in Didcot, Oxfordshire.

The first of its stores to re-open following major refurbishments include a convenience store in Coventry and a franchise operated site in Ealing, London.

Co-op said it is focussed on creating stores that act as local hubs, offering added services including payments provision, parcel collection and returns, and online home delivery of groceries. Orders are and packed from local stores, which the retailer said helps ensure local high street stores directly benefit from online demand.

The retailer added that 86% of the UK population now has access to Co-op groceries online, via its own own online shop and strategic partners including Just Eat, Deliveroo and Uber Eats.

“We’re focussed on creating local stores which are more than just a shop – they are a hub locally that contribute to local life and conveniently meet the needs of communities,” said Kate McCrae, Operations Director at Co-op.

“I’m delighted to see our first new store of 2026 open in Oxfordshire, as we start 2026 with an active store opening programme to increase and enhance Co-op’s presence in high streets and communities all across the UK,” McCrae added.