MANCHESTER, England, 2016-Nov-09 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Co-op is serving-up its newest food store in Vimto Gardens, Salford, on Thursday, 10, November, following a £580,000 investment creating 28 new jobs.
Guests of honour at the launch are Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, children from St. Philip’s Primary School and, Vimto character “Vimtoad”, who will help to cut the ribbon and declare the store open for the community.
Named after the famous soft drink which was first produced near to the site of the store, the multi-million pound Vimto Gardens development will regenerate the Chapel Street area of the city with its mixed-use development including the Co-op’s 4,000 sq. ft. new food store.
The store will have a focus on fresh, healthy foods, meal ideas and food-to-go. It was include Costa coffee, an in-store bakery and customer car parking.
The new store will also bring a funding boost to local community groups through the Co-op’s 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 to make a difference in the community.
Pete Timmins, Store Manager, said: “We are delighted to have made such a significant investment in Salford, opening the Co-op’s newest food store is an exciting time for the whole team and our aim is to establish the store as a local hub – we are looking forward to serving the community.
“The Co-op is moving forward with a clear purpose and momentum. The return to our ‘clover leaf’ design logo – first used in the 1960’s – aims to re-establish the Co-op as a centre for the community, and we want shoppers to know that they can become a co-owner and member of their Co-op. We are also giving back to the community. Our members have an opportunity to make a difference locally simply by using their membership card when they shop with us and raise much needed funding for organisations who contribute to improving local life.”
Emma Hunt, Head of Marketing at Vimto, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Co-op with the launch of their new store at Vimto Gardens. The store is situated on Chapel Street, one of the original sites for the Vimto brand, so we are tremendously proud that a leading retailer has recognised this with the naming of their store.“
The Co-op has been described as the fastest growing non-discounter food store according to retail industry data released by Kantar Worldpanel. The community retailer expects to have opened around 100 new stores by the end of this year, and in subsequent years, as part of its longer-term growth strategy.
Members of the community are invited to mark the opening of the store between 5pm – 7pm on launch day when food sampling and a sparkling Vimto toast will take place.
There are offers and promotions in and around the new store to mark its launch. And, students in Salford who hold a NUS extra card receive a 10% discount off their groceries in the store.
Further information:
Andrew Torr
Co-op Press Office
M: 07702 505 551
E: Andrew.torr@coop.co.uk
Source: The Co-op