Co-op agreement with EG On The Move ‘fuels’ franchise growth on forecourts

• Franchise agreement signed with Co-op and the petrol forecourt business, EG On The Move, to trial seven convenience stores across the United Kingdom with the potential to expand in the future
• The move forms part of Co-op’s wider franchise growth plans as it today announces new targets for significant growth with ambitions to reach over 500 franchise stores by 2030, with a third of those in petrol forecourts
• First site as part of the agreement launches this week (11th July) in Ogden Road, Doncaster

Co-op has signed a new franchise agreement with EG On The Move as the convenience retailer targets significant franchise growth ambitions, it has been announced.

The agreement will initially see seven new Co-op franchise stores open this summer with the petrol forecourt business, EG On The Move.

The first Co-op store as part of the new agreement is set to launch in Ogden Road, Doncaster, this week.

Co-op has ambitions to scale its award-winning franchise business to reach over 500 by 2030. Core areas of growth are focussed on where it can best utilise its leading convenience expertise with quality franchise partners, including petrol forecourts; universities and healthcare and, independent convenience retailers.

The move aligns with growth ambitions across Co-op’s core businesses – Food Retail, B2B and Life Services – with the convenience retailer aiming to broaden its reach and scale, and grow to eight million member-owners by 2030.

Jerome Saint-Marc, Managing Director B2B and Growth, said: “We are hugely excited to be working with EG On The Move on these new franchise sites and to be able to bring our Co-op franchise offer to more locations.

This is part of our broader expansion in the petrol forecourt market. It follows our strategy to pivot our growth in this market through franchise, growing our presence and enabling us to best utilise our expertise and offer in convenience.

As part of the Co-op’s overall growth plans, growing our franchise stores is a key priority for us and we have ambitious and exciting plans to significantly increase our franchise footprint and become the partner of choice across a range of sectors.

We’ve got an excellent market proposition. And whilst it’s highly competitive, we believe there’s huge potential to unlock growth with our trusted brand, and unique offer and expertise.”

Zuber Issa, CEO, EG On The Move, expressed: “EG On The Move is an acknowledged petrol forecourt and convenience retail destination operator, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with Co-op to roll out their new convenience store formats. Following on from this seven store trial, we look forward to working with Co-op to consider other locations across the network.

Co-op is a well-established convenience operator, respected in the market and a recognised consumer brand, and this partnership not only promises to enhance our convenience store offer but it will also ensure our customers have access to exceptional fuel retail services including EV charging, a wide choice of essential and premium grocery and merchandise along with an enjoyable foodservice experience.”

Martin Rogers, Director of Partnership Development, Co-op, said: “We are delighted to be working with EG On The Move, our second forecourt partner, helping us achieve our ambitious plans in this exciting sector. We look forward to further growing our franchise business, working with partners of pedigree to bring Co-op products and membership to more communities, creating more value for our member-owners.”

The seven locations are confirmed as:

• Doncaster, Ogden Road
• Billinghurst, Sussex
• Nitshill, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
• Portlethen, Aberdeenshire
• Macmerry, Tranent, East Lothian
• Wherstead, Ipswich, Suffolk
• Finmere, Tingewick, Buckinghamshire.

Co-op currently operates almost 2,400 food stores and provides products to over 6,000 other stores including those run by independent co-operative societies and through its wholesale business, Nisa Retail Limited.