The Co-op will open its eighth university franchise store next week, in Aberdeen, taking the number of students it serves to more than 150,000 across the UK.
The 1,600 sq ft store will sit in the main student accommodation area of the campus, catering for students who need to top up on grocery, BWS and “treating”. There will be hot food, bakery, coffee and food to go available as well.
It will also be running a ‘Feed the Flat for £5’ deal to help bring new students together “at this new time in their lives”. It aims to provide students with a range of products to live off without leaving the campus, the retailer said.
”Many campuses are often very light on or have no offer at all around a meal for tonight and this is one area where can add real value” Co-op head of new channels Martin Rogers told The Grocer.
Its other university franchise stores, based more centrally on campus, look to cater to students’ unique trading pattern: “on the hour, every hour”. They include Keele, which opened last week.
“We have spent a lot of time and effort with our partners ensuring that customers and members can get in and out as quickly as possible, often between lectures and appointments,” added Rogers.
“We are also proud that our university and student union partners employ several hundred students in these stores, helping them pay their way through university and creating more employment opportunities in our wider Co-op.
“The power of our partnerships across university campuses is helping us to grow lifetime loyalty and brand advocacy.”
The site in Aberdeen is due to open on 16 September.
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