THE Co-op is opening 15 “On The Go” micro stores to take on takeaway giants Greggs and Pret.
The first store launched yesterday, serving hot pizza, fried chicken, ready meals, and essentials such as toothpaste and loo roll.
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Ranging from 600 to 1,000 square feet, the new stores will be about a quarter the size of a typical Co-op and focus on convenience products.
They’ll open from 7am to 7pm, with some switching to become home delivery hubs in the evening.
Boss Matt Hood said the concept was inspired by a Far East trend.
He added: “We believe there is demand for delicious food, fast service, value and spot-on locations.”
The Co-op, which already has a 15 per cent share of the UK’s “food to go” market, is aiming to grab a bigger slice.
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The first store is in Solihull and more are planned for high streets, train stations and busy urban spots.
Some older Co-op stores could be revamped to fit the new style.
Mr Hood said that after bouncing back from a major cyber-attack earlier this year, the Co-op is now focused on giving shoppers exactly what they need, when they need it.
NEXT’S MATERNITY BUY
NEXT has snapped up the maternity firm Seraphine for £600,000 after its collapse into administration.
The label, worn by Princess Kate during her pregnancies, joins Next’s growing portfolio of brands.
It coincides with the retail giant raising its profit forecast again — driven by UK sales growing by 7.8 per cent in the second quarter, and rival firm M&S facing disruption.
It now expects full-year sales to be up by 7.5 per cent and profits by 9.3 per cent to £1.11billion.
ICE AND SLICED
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UNILEVER’S ice cream sales have soared ahead of its planned spin-off later this year.
The company behind brands such as Magnum and Cornetto saw sales rise 5.9 per cent in the first half of 2025, driven by hotter weather and higher prices.
Demerged new business Magnum Ice Cream Company will list in Amsterdam by November.
Unilever will keep a minority stake as it focuses on beauty and personal care.
PORN PROBES
OFCOM is investigating 34 porn websites over fears they are failing to comply with tough new age verification checks.
Under the Online Safety Act, platforms that break the rules face huge fines of up to £18million or 10 per cent of global revenues.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: “This enforcement goes to the very heart of why the Online Safety Act is here — protecting children from pornographic material.”
