The stores will come in a variety of formats and locations, taking Co-op’s investment into 200+ new or transformed stores in 2024/25 to over £200 million.
Stores opening in November and December are a mix of new sites and re-openings following major investment.
The company said each site will offer member price savings, parcel collection, and rapid delivery through Co-op’s own online shop and partners including, Just Eat, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats.
This latest raft of openings will see Co-op becoming the first permanent retailer at the new Brent Cross Town development in London.
It also has five new micro-format ‘on the go’ stores and a new franchise store on Lancaster University campus, which will take the number of university campus Co-op franchise stores to 11.
At the same time, the group is called on the UK Government to “finish the job” on business-rates reform to secure the future of small shops and community retail.
It said that long-term investment confidence across the sector now depends on the Government following through on the promised reform.
Certainty on business rates will be vital to sustaining investment and unlocking further growth across the sector, it claimed.
Shirine Khoury-Haq, Co-op Group CEO, said: “We’re investing in stores and communities right across the UK because we believe in the future of the high street. But sustained growth needs certainty. Business-rates reform is vital if retailers – especially the 99% who run small stores - are to plan with confidence, protect jobs and keep local economies thriving.
“Co-op is showing what’s possible when businesses commit to communities. The Government now has an opportunity in the Autumn Budget to do its part by delivering the reform that’s long been promised – giving every retailer, from small to large, the stability to invest and grow.”
Earlier this year the Co-op said it suffered an £80 million hit to operating profits after a cyberattack on the business in April.
Meanwhile, supermarket chain Aldi recently revealed plans to open 16 stores in time for Christmas.
