Following the Budget, the Co-op Group has announced plans to \u201cback Britain\u201d by putting a targeted \u00a31bn into the economy over the next 12 months.<\/p>\n
The investment includes the retailer\u2019s biggest ever wave of price reductions next year, taking in more than 1,000 products\u00a0 in 2,300 stores and online. This, the Group says, will be focused on categories that support British farming and food.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the investment will extend lower prices beyond the membership, which the Group says will \u201csupport the 15 million weekly transactions in its stores and to help families manage budgets\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Group adds that it will continue to spend over \u00a3700m a year with British farmers and agriculture suppliers, maintaining its 100% British fresh and frozen meat commitment across all own-brand ranges and as an ingredient. This is alongside 100% British eggs and milk and continued sourcing of British grown produce. \u201cSupporting the next generation of UK producers, suppliers and manufacturers and building a resilient and sustainable food chain is incumbent on all grocers,\u201d it added.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Other commitments will see the Group spend over \u00a3580m with Goods Not for Resale businesses that operate from the UK. Additionally, through its energy-buying arm Co-op Power, it is pledging more than \u00a36.4m of energy procurement over the next 12 months, helping organisations cut costs and emissions.<\/p>\n
In terms of its pension investments, the Group aims to direct more of its defined-contribution fund towards UK companies, \u201csupporting sustainable growth and responsible investment in the economy\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Group \u2013 which saw a record 11 store openings in a single week at the end of November \u2013 also plans to continue investing in approximately 100 stores across the UK over the next 12 months \u2013 including new sites, relocations and refits.<\/p>\n
The 2026 programme also includes launches of Co-op\u2019s new sustainable showcase stores, which are designed to minimise environmental impact through innovative practices.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are focused on creating local stores which are more than just a shop \u2013 they are a hub locally that contribute to local life and meet the needs of communities, conveniently,\u201d said operations director Kate McCrae.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In terms of its high-profile campaign on retail crime,<\/a> the Group said it continues to invest \u00a338m a year in deterrent measures in its stores.\u00a0<\/p>\n Earlier last month, the Group announced a \u00a370m commitment through its Levy Share scheme to create 7,000 matched apprenticeships by 2030.<\/p>\n It hopes the move will boost skills and social mobility across the country \u2013 and points to Office for National Statistics data which warns that apprenticeship starts have dropped 31% since the government introduced the apprentice levy in 2017, leaving nearly one million young people out of education, work, or training.<\/p>\n