The Co-operative Group has revealed that its ambitious plans to integrate the Somerfield supermarket chain into its own brand are on track.
Britain’s biggest mutual retailer recently completed the conversion of its first nine ex- Somerfield stores across the UK, investing just under £3m in the stores’ re-branding.
The first two stores to be launched under the Co-op brand were in Tonypandy, South Wales, and New Milton in Hampshire, which were both well-received by local residents, according to the retailer.
Dani Ruiz-Perez, manager of the New Milton store, said customer feedback was “extremely positive” and that many shoppers had already become Co-operative members.
Other Somerfield supermarkets that have been refurbished and re-branded include stores in Padiham, Lancashire, Worthing in West Sussex, and Tonyrefail and Newbridge in Wales .
The Co-op acquired the Somerfield chain last summer for £1.6bn in a bid to cement its position as the UK’s fifth largest food retailer behind Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys and Morrisons .
