MANCHESTER, England, 2016-Apr-06 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Co-operative Food is set to open its latest food store following a £480,000 investment in St. Helens which has created 24 retail roles.
The community retailer is investing to transform and grow its convenience business and is opening its new store in Elton Head Road, St Helens, on Wednesday, 13 April.
The new Co-op will open between 7am-11pm and have a focus on fresh, healthy foods, meal ideas and essentials. An in-store bakery, hot food, Costa coffee dispenser and dedicated car parking will further enhance the shopping experience for the community.
In addition, the appointment of a Community Pioneer will underpin the Co-op’s commitment to playing its part and making a difference in the local community.
The Community Pioneer, Laura Hill-Cheery, is a member of the food store team who also works to foster involvement in community activities such as local fundraising initiatives and working with local charities, schools and voluntary organisations to make a difference in the community. Laura, along with the new store manager – Henry Milner – will also lead the store’s support for the British Red Cross, the Co-op’s new charity partnership which will help to tackle social isolation and loneliness in local communities.
Henry Milner, Manager of The Co-op’s new St Helens store, said:
“The Co-op is investing to transform and grow its convenience business and, we are delighted to be opening the Co-op’s latest food tore here in St Helens, it really is an exciting time for the whole team and we are looking forward to serving the community.
“As a community retailer, and a co-operative, we are confident that the store will be a real asset to the community and play its part in local life – we look forward to welcoming the community into their new local Co-op.”
There will be offers and promotions in and around the store to mark its launch. Students in St Helens – who hold a NUS extra card – also receive a 10% discount off their groceries in the store.
The Co-op last month (March) announced an investment to lower the price of over 200 of its own-branded British meat and poultry products. Its annualised investment in lowering prices will this year top £200M. By the end of the year, The Co-op will have reduced prices on more than 1,000 everyday essentials including pruning the price of over 100 lines of fresh fruit and vegetables.
The Co-op is the fastest growing non-discounter food store according to retail industry data released by Kantar Worldpanel in February – the community retailer has grown its Loved by us and Truly Irresistible own-label sales by 7%, with sales of fresh and chilled produce growing fastest.
Further information
Andrew Torr
Co-op Press Office
M: 07702 505 551
E: andrew.torr@co-operative.coop