- Over the next 12 months, Co-op will support customers, business and local high streets in Britain to the tune of £1 billion
- Includes one of its biggest ever number of price reductions, cutting the cost of over 1,000 products
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Co-op welcomes the Autumn Budget’s decision to deliver long-promised business rates reform, giving small, local retailers greater certainty to invest in Britain’s communities and high streets
Following the Autumn Budget, Co-op has announced plans to “Back Britain” with a targeted £1 billion into the UK economy over the next 12 months, designed to back Britain’s consumers, businesses and high streets.
The plan reinforces Co-op’s belief that responsible business must play its part in tackling the cost-of-living crisis, whilst also supporting Britain’s future growth ambitions.
Owned by you, Right by You
The UK’s largest consumer co-operative said its plan will channel focus and investment into lowering prices for both members and customers, whilst backing British sourcing, community-focused retailing and skills development – as new data shows households remain under pressure despite signs of wider economic recovery.
New insight from Co-op’s latest membership research shows that 58% of those who took part now rank the cost of living as one of their top three concerns, up from 51% in late 2024. Concern is even higher among younger members, with 72% of those aged 18 to 34 placing cost of living in their top three worries. Co-op, owned by 7 million members, said these concerns sit at the heart of its Backing Britain plan.
Shirine Khoury-Haq, Co-op Group CEO, said: “Today’s Budget provides the clarity and certainty that small shops and local communities have been waiting for. The Government’s decision on business rates is a welcome and important step that will help protect jobs, strengthen local economies and support high streets across the country.
“Co-op is stepping up alongside this commitment, facilitating over £1 billion of spend into the UK economy over the next year. This includes our biggest ever number of price reductions to help with the cost of living, continued investment in British farmers and suppliers, and a focus on keeping high streets vibrant and safe.
“As a business owned by 7 million members, not shareholders, we measure success in the value we create for people and places. Backing Britain reflects our belief that responsible business must play its part in the country’s recovery and future growth.”
Backing Britain’s customers
Co-op is preparing one of its biggest ever number of price reductions next year, with a plan to significantly invest in lowering prices on over 1,000 products across its ranges in 2,300 stores and online. The investment will be focused on categories that support British farming, produce, protein and dairy, with Co-op remaining committed to using British ingredients across all its products such as those in the lunchtime meal deal, which is the cheapest British Meal Deal in the market.
Additionally, the investment will extend lower prices beyond just Co-op members, to support the 15 million weekly transactions that occur in Co-op shops and to help families manage weekly budgets. The grocery convenience retailer said the move is a direct response to what members say matters most to them, with cost of living continuing to be the biggest concern.
Backing British business
Co-op will continue to spend over £700 million per year with British farmers and agriculture suppliers maintaining its 100% British fresh and frozen meat commitment across all own-brand ranges and when used as an ingredient. This is alongside 100% British eggs and milk and continuing to source British grown produce including a 100% British Potatoes and carrots all year-round commitment. The Group also called on the UK Government to ensure that UK farmers are properly supported to ensure that they can play their crucial role both in feeding the nation and tackling the climate and nature crises.
Supporting the next generation of UK producers, suppliers and manufacturers and building a resilient and sustainable food chain is incumbent on all grocers, and Co-op is investing to ensure this vital work takes place.
Co-op will spend over £580 million with GNFR (Goods Not for Resale) businesses that are based and operate from the UK. Additionally, through Co-op Power – its energy-buying arm – the Group will deliver more than £6.4million of energy procurement over the next 12 months, helping UK organisations cut costs and source low-carbon energy.
Co-op is reviewing its pension investment approach with the intention of directing more of its defined-contribution fund towards UK companies and markets, supporting sustainable growth and responsible investment in the British economy.
Investing in high streets and communities
Co-op welcomed the Government’s decision to deliver long-promised business-rates reform, saying it will help protect small shops, local jobs and investment on high streets across the UK. The retailer said the move provides much-needed certainty for community retailers and creates a stronger foundation for future growth.
Alongside this, Co-op has been engaging thousands of member owners across the UK through its On Your Corner, In Your Corner activity and autumn community pop-ups. Members reinforced the importance of safer high streets, access to local shops and strong community spaces, which further strengthens the case for backing Britain’s high streets and protecting local retail.
Co-op plans to continue investing in approximately 100 stores across the UK over the next 12 months – including new openings, redevelopments, relocations and refits – ensuring essential retail services remain at the heart of neighbourhoods nationwide. The 2026 store programme also includes launches of Co-op’s new sustainable showcase stores*, which are designed to minimise environmental impact through innovative practices. Earlier this month, Co-op confirmed 50 new and refurbished stores will open before Christmas – part of its ongoing investment in local retail and jobs.
A vocal and progressive voice on retail crime, Co-op continues to invest £38 million every year in preventative measures in its stores to deter and prevent persistent offenders stealing from its stores and abusing its store colleagues. This investment, alongside extensive Police partnerships across the UK is reaping significant rewards in reducing crime and incident numbers, to help keep community high streets in Britain safer.
Over the past five years, Co-op has shared £63 million through its Local Community Fund, supporting 22,500 local causes across the UK – from food banks and youth projects to mental wellbeing initiatives – with new funding now reaching thousands more.
The Group is also continuing its £7 million partnership with Barnardo’s to support one million young people, while its charity, the Co-op Foundation, is investing £2 million in grassroots organisations to amplify youth voice and deliver long-term social change.
Backing opportunity
Co-op has set a target of creating 7,000 matched apprenticeships by 2030 through its Levy Share service, which has already transferred £40 million of unspent apprenticeship levy from larger employers to smaller businesses and community organisations since 2021. Over the next 12 months, a further £6 million is expected to be shared, contributing to a projected £70 million total by 2030 – helping thousands more people access training and career opportunities and further boosting skills and social mobility across the UK.
Co-op provides £1 million a year to its 38 Co-op Academies, funding additional support for pupils and families in need. This includes a dedicated “Co-op Premium” for Pupil Premium students – those eligible for free school meals – to support targeted curriculum, enrichment activities and essentials like uniforms and equipment, alongside an annual discretionary fund of £3,000–£7,000 for each headteacher to offer direct support to families.
*Co-op’s sustainability showcase stores are utilised as a ‘test, learn and adopt’ environments allowing Co-op to trial new sustainability technologies and processes, and then carry successful measures into future new stores and refits across its estate at scale. Co-op launched two showcase stores in 2025 and plans to roll out further sites in 2026.
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