Co-op Wholesale is setting its independent retail partners up for success by offering them more ways to win in the lucrative food-to-go category ahead of further anticipated market growth.
As part of its updated offering, Co-op Wholesale is working with partner Greencore to bring its direct-to-store (DTS) pricing and rebate in line with equivalent depot supply, making the service increasingly competitive to deliver greater value for retailers.
Under the updated model, which takes effect from 5 October 2026, retailers will receive all the benefits of Greencore DTS at the same price as they would ordering from Co-op Wholesale’s depot, plus rebate will now apply (where applicable). The simplification and extension of this service will unlock multiple benefits around range, shelf life, waste, case size flexibility and cost for retailers, following feedback.
Forecast to be worth *£27bn by 2029 and currently valued at **£24.9bn, the category is key for convenience retailers and one that Co-op Wholesale has long maintained a sharp focus on.
The Greencore DTS model creates opportunities for increased profit and reduces waste, through an additional day’s shelf life and the benefit of ordering in single pick via Greencore DTS.
Co-op Wholesale, which supplies its partners with the Co-op Brand product portfolio, is pleased to offer almost double the number of SKUs (85) via Greencore DTS. As well as Co-op Brand sandwiches, wraps, salads, pasta pots and sushi, additional brands including leading Japanese kitchen Yo Sushi lines are available to give both retailers and shoppers additional choice and access to a full variety of delicious food to go options.
The award-winning Co-op Brand food to go offering, which exclusively consists of 100 per cent British meat and ethically sourced quality ingredients, is reflective of the latest trends, such as the Irresistible Parmesan Chicken Caesar Wrap, developed to drive sales and meet shoppers’ high expectations.
Co-op Wholesale’s updated proposition has been strategically designed to meet this demand via the convenience channel, with ***71 per cent of consumers confirming they prefer quality over simply locating the cheapest option.
Robbie Moore, Co-op Wholesale Trading Director, said: “We truly listen to what our partners tell us they want and this evolution of our food-to-go proposition is testament to that. They told us their businesses would benefit from larger ranges, longer shelf life and most of all, a streamlined rebate structure, so we’ve developed a solution and invested to support them. We’re looking forward to it going live in October.”
*Source: Lumina Intelligence Food-To-Go Market Report 2026
