Last year the Co-op dropped to sixth position among the UK’s leading supermarket chains after being overtaken by discounter Aldi. Smaller convenience stores, and online sales, are the two big growth areas for the supermarket chains. This has meant larger, more expensive-to-run supermarkets, are being replaced by smaller convenience stores. Jo Whitfield, chief executive of Co-op Food, said: “The Co-op is positively responding to the changes occurring within this dynamic sector. The Co-op group sold its final 1% stake in the bank last year for £5m.

Source: The Guardian January 02, 2018 06:00 UTC