A duo of Russell Group Universities are the latest to agree a deal to make a convenient addition to campus life with new Co-op stores set to open in time for the new academic year in Birmingham and Glasgow.
The move will enhance grocery convenience on campus, with quality, range and value designed to cater to the needs of the diverse student, research and teaching population that make up university life. The stores will operate as a Co-op Franchise at the University of Glasgow and University of Birmingham, with both University’s part of the prestigious Russell Group.
The stores will have a strong focus on quick and easy customer service, with an array of self-service till points designed to conveniently serve the student population during high foot-traffic times of the day.
In addition to Birmingham and Glasgow, Co-op also has stores located on Russell Group University campus located in Leeds, Newcastle and Warwick – the latter being the largest Co-op store on campus . The new stores at Glasgow and, Birmingham will take the total number of Co-op’s university campus stores to 14.
Co-op’s Franchise operation continues to grow, with the number of Franchise stores increasing by 16% to the end of 2025, with 65 locations. A strong pipeline of launches on university campus, petrol forecourts, hospitals and with independent retailers is expected to see the number of Co-op Franchise stores grow to over 100 during 2026.
Co-op’s campus stores already serve an estimated university population of more than 200,000 (up 25% to year-end December) – a figure which is expected to exceed 300,000 during 2026.
The benefits of Membership also appeals to the campus population, and enables Co-op to engage with the next generation of member. Supporting Co-op’s membership growth ambition more than 50,000 new members joined via its Franchise operation in 2025. Member price savings create additional value for Co-op members who can save more with personalised offers, deals and promotions – lower prices on the products shoppers buy most.
Jonathan Perry, head of franchise development, Co-op, said: “We’re delighted to confirm our latest Franchise partnerships and to be working with the Universities of Birmingham and Glasgow. These stores are designed to become genuine campus hubs, offering quality products, great value with a proposition tailored to the pace and needs of university life. Whether people are studying, living, working or visiting, Co‑op is focused on bringing the benefits of Co-op membership to more locations and, serving and supporting diverse and dynamic campus communities.”
Peter Kelland, University of Birmingham’s head of retail and brands, said: “We’re really looking forward to opening the new Co‑op on campus, giving students easy access to affordable, high‑quality food in a space designed around university life. Co‑op’s strong commitment to sustainability and community aligns closely with our values, and I am confident it will exceed both the students’ and staffs’ expectations.”
Ronnie Webster, University of Glasgow’s executive director of commercial services, said: “We are always looking to improve our campus services, to give students and staff the best experience of University life. Having a Co-op will give everyone across our community the convenience to grab food, drink and household essentials close to where they work and study.”
Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer-owned co-operatives, with its history dating back more than 180 years. Co-op exists to create value for its membership and communities, its more than 7m members own the business and play an intrinsic part in the governance of the organisation.
More information about the benefits of Co-op Membership is available by visiting coop.co.uk/membership
For more information about Co-op’s award-winning franchise operation, visit coop.co.uk/franchise
