©UNP Andy Buchanan
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Co-op Franchise, part of Co-op Wholesale, has successfully opened three new University stores this term.
The convenience stores are all based at highly esteemed Universities and are already operating well, serving their communities with essential food to go, meal solutions, snacks and treats and essential non-food items all at excellent value to meet students’ demands.
Queen Mary University of London was the first to launch on 10 September, followed by the University of Leicester on 17 September and most recently, University of Glasgow, which started trading on 23 September.
All located on campus, the convenience outlets are perfectly positioned to serve students and lecturers alike as they go about their day. It also marks the debut Co-op franchise store at a campus-based London University – a key milestone for the growing business area.
Since opening its first University franchise store in 2019, Co-op has steadily expanded its presence across the sector, working alongside universities and students’ unions to develop convenience stores designed specifically around the needs of students, staff and visitors alike.
Universities and students’ unions choosing the Co-op franchise model gain access to one of the UK’s most trusted retail brands, alongside proven retail expertise, operational support, technology platforms and a nationally recognised supply chain. The model enables partners to benefit from a professionally managed retail offer without needing to develop specialist convenience retail expertise themselves.
The partnership model aligns particularly strongly with the values of the higher education sector through Co-op’s long-standing commitment to ethical business practices, sustainability and community impact.
Melanie Crunkhorn, business development manager – Franchise at Co-op Wholesale, said: “All three of the new University Franchise Co-op store openings have been welcomed with open arms. They’re already trading well – it’s great to see what a useful resource they have become to the specialist customer-base they serve. We’ve taken immense pride in working alongside them to set them up for success and look forward to supporting them closely going forward.”
