MANCHESTER, England, 2016-Oct-06 — /EPR Retail News/ — A funding boost is on the cards for community groups in Upton upon Severn as the new-look Co-op re-launches following a major investment.
The revamped store, located in Old Street, re-launches on Friday, 7 October, and will unveil the community retailer’s unique new Membership scheme. Co-op members receive a 5% reward on purchases of Co-op own-branded products and services, with a further 1% going local causes and groups in the area to make a difference in the community – groups initially set to benefit include the Upton upon Severn Educational Foundation, the British Red Cross which will confront social isolation in local communities, and Upton Festival of Blues.
Members of the Co-op can choose which of these causes they wish to support online. Money will be raised over a six month period.
The store will be re-launched by Cllr Tim Dance, Mayor of Upton upon Severn, and Upton Upon Severn Primary School – whose children will sing at the store on launch day. It will see an enhanced in-store bakery and a focus on fresh, healthy foods, meal ideas and essentials as part of its £650,000 makeover which has created five new jobs – with positions still available.
The store also appoints two Community Pioneers, Carrie-Ann Powell and Oli Storr, members of the food store team working to foster involvement in community activities, from local fundraising to working with charities, schools and voluntary organisations to contribute to local life.
Liz Webb, Area Manager for the Co-op, said: “The Co-op is moving forward with a clear purpose and momentum to deliver a compelling, convenient and co-operative shopping experience. Our new Co-op look represents all that we stand for – our proud co-operative heritage and our decision that membership, the very thing that makes us truly distinctive, must be at the heart of all we say and do. Our blue design ‘clover leaf’ logo links to a time when people really understood how they could be co-owners and members of their Co-op, and how a strong Co-op could help to create strong communities.”
Kerry Preedy, Store Manager, added: “We are delighted to be making such a significant investment in Upton upon Severn, it is an exciting time for the whole team and we will be working to establish the store as a community hub, a real asset locally. What better way than to give back to communities as a reward for shopping with us. Our members have an opportunity to make a difference locally simply by using their Co-op card when they shop with us. Co-ops are here to support their members and the communities they live in and the money raised will provide much needed funding for organisations who contribute to improving local life. We would like to thank the community for its understanding during our seven week makeover, and for supporting the Co-op pop-up shop which continued to serve the community with everyday essentials.”
Co-op members are urged to look out for their new-look membership card which are being issued over the coming four weeks – for further information visit coop.co.uk/membership
The Co-op has announced an investment in lowering 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, reducing prices on over 1,000 everyday essentials including the introduction of its 75p farmhouse loaf and pruning the price of over 100 lines of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Earlier this year the Co-op was described as the fastest growing non-discounter food store according to retail industry data released by Kantar Worldpanel.
There will be offers and promotions in and around the new-look store to mark its re-launch. And, students in Upton upon Severn who hold a NUS extracard receive a 10% discount off their groceries in the store.
Further information:
Andrew Torr
Co-op Press Office
T: 07702 505 551
E: andrew.torr@co-operative.coop
Source: Coop