Stirling Co-op store marks a franchise first with Nisa

Food retailer Co-op has opened its first franchise store in Scotland with a Nisa partner.

The new branch, located at Stirling University, will be managed and run by the Nisa partner. Picture: Fraser Band

The branch, located at Stirling University, will be managed and run by the Nisa partner and deliver “Co-op quality products and good prices” to students and the local community. It becomes the 14th Co-op franchise store overall.

Martin Rogers, head of new channels at Co-op, said: “At the Co-op we are always looking for ways to reach new customers and members, and this a hugely exciting opportunity to grow our brand north of the Border.

“Our franchise stores operate in exactly the same way as a company owned store and all of our partners have access to a full service model, receiving support, tools and training to enable them to grow their business with Co-op.

“Our Co-op purpose is about connecting communities, bringing people together and making a difference and we are looking to generate mutual value with like-minded partners and succeed together.”

Located in the Andrew Miller building on the university’s campus, the store will be open to serve customers between 7am and midnight daily and it will also run on 100 per cent renewable electricity.

Offering an ATM and a Seattle-branded coffee point, the outlet will focus on “fresh heathy produce, award-winning wines, ready meals and pizzas, free-from and vegan products, Fairtrade, food-to-go and everyday essentials”, the Co-op added.

Students who are Young Scot cardholders can pocket a 10 per cent discount off groceries and contactless card payment limits up to £45 will be accepted.

The retailer said it had demonstrated the flexibility of its model by offering a number of routes to market and through a mix of partners including university unions, independent retailers and its latest partnership with catering provider Gather & Gather.

Last month, the Co-operative Group said that half-year sales had surged on the back of “exceptional” food and wholesale trading after the pandemic drove grocery demand.

The business said total revenues increased by 7.6 per cent to £5.8 billion for the 26 weeks to July 4. It now expects competition to “intensify” in the grocery sector, but believes it remains “well-positioned”.

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