British co-operative group Co-op has announced a new franchise agreement with EG On The Move.  

The partnership will launch seven Co-op franchise stores in the summer of 2024, accelerating the Co-op's aim to broaden its reach and scale across its core businesses, including Food Retail, B2B and Life Services. 

The collaboration with EG On The Move is planned to grow by 120 sites up to 2027, in line with Co-op's strategy to increase its franchise stores to more than 500 by 2030.  

For 2024, the convenience retailer plans to launch across petrol forecourts, universities and convenience stores, including the company's first ventures into NHS hospitals. 

Co-op B2B and growth managing director Jerome Saint-Marc 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, enabling us to share our convenience expertise with partners of pedigree. 

“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 footprint and become the partner of choice across a range of sectors.” 

The new franchise stores will be distributed across the UK, building upon Co-op's existing network of 2,400 food stores and its wholesale business, Nisa Retail Limited, which supplies 6,000 other stores.  

The move continues Co-op's efforts to expand its franchise presence, following a trial format in three petrol stations in 2023 and the launch of its first Welsh franchise stores in early 2024.  

In June 2024 Co-op expanded its partnership with European e-commerce logistics solutions provider InPost, tripling the number of parcel lockers at the food retailer’s stores in the UK.