Co-op Group is set to open a new store in Brent, North-West London, as part of a 14-store expansion across the UK.
The rollout includes five micro-format “on the go” stores and a new franchise store at Lancaster University.
The Brent Cross Town development will host the Co-op’s first permanent store in the area.
By Christmas, the retailer aims to open or reopen 50 stores, bringing its total expansion and refurbishment activity to over 200 sites in the current financial year.
Co-op said the investment programme will exceed £200 million, covering new stores and updates to existing locations.
Many of the reopened stores have undergone extensive refurbishments, featuring refreshed layouts and updated product ranges.
The expansion follows a cyber attack in April that disrupted operations and resulted in £206 million in lost sales.
The attack also led to the theft of member data, with around £120 million expected to be lost from the annual earnings.
Hackers had impersonated employees to gain access to internal accounts and copied firm files, though they were unable to deploy ransomware.
Co-op has renewed calls for property tax reform ahead of the autumn Budget, arguing that greater certainty is needed for retailers to invest in high streets.
Shirine Khoury-Haq, Co-op Group chief executive, said: “We’re investing in stores and communities right across the UK because we believe in the future of the high street.
But sustained growth needs certainty.
Business rates reform is vital if retailers – especially the 99% who run small stores – are to plan with confidence, protect jobs and keep local economies thriving.”
The expansion and refurbishment programme highlights the company’s commitment to recovery and growth following the cyber attack.
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