The plan is to open more than 20 new stores in London, up to 18 in Scotland, 10 in Wales and others in towns and cities including York, Plymouth and…

The plan is to open more than 20 new stores in London, up to 18 in Scotland, 10 in Wales and others in towns and cities including York, Plymouth and Bristol.

 Co-op Food plans to open 100 new food stores across the UK this year, creating an estimated 1,600 jobs. 

The company plans to spend more than £160 million on the new stores, as well as on major makeovers for a further 150 of its existing outlets.

The plan is to open more than 20 new stores in London, up to 18 in Scotland, 10 in Wales and others in towns and cities including York, Plymouth and Bristol.

Last year the Co-op dropped to sixth position among the UK’s leading supermarket chains after being overtaken by discounter Aldi.

The Co-op has been busy shrinking its store estate. It sold 300 shops to retailer McColl’s in 2016, and has also refocused on its own smaller convenience stores rather than bigger outlets. The food retailers have also been busy consolidating in a bid to cut costs.

Jo Whitfield, chief executive of Co-op Food, stated that the company is positively responding to the changeas occurring within this dynamic sector.