Co-op and EG Group sign new franchise agreement

Co-op and EG On The Move, EG Group’s retained petrol forecourt business, have signed a new franchise agreement to trial seven convenience stores in the UK.

The new stores will launch this summer with the first set to open in Doncaster this week.

Co-op is aiming to scale its franchise business to over 500 sites by 2030, and in addition to petrol forecourts is also focusing on independent convenience retailers, universities, and healthcare.

Jerome Saint-Marc, managing director of B2B and growth at Co-op, 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, growing our presence and enabling us to best utilise our expertise and offer in convenience. 

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

“We’ve got an excellent market proposition. And whilst it’s highly competitive, we believe there’s huge potential to unlock growth with our trusted brand, and unique offer and expertise.”

Zuber Issa, CEO of EG On The Move, added: “EG On The Move is an acknowledged petrol forecourt and convenience retail destination operator, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with Co-op to roll out their new convenience store formats. Following on from this seven store trial, we look forward to working with Co-op to consider other locations across the network. 

“Co-op is a well-established convenience operator, respected in the market and a recognised consumer brand, and this partnership not only promises to enhance our convenience store offer but it will also ensure our customers have access to exceptional fuel retail services including EV charging, a wide choice of essential and premium grocery and merchandise along with an enjoyable foodservice experience.”

The seven confirmed locations for the convenience stores are: 

• Doncaster, Ogden Road
• Billinghurst, Sussex
• Nitshill, Glasgow, Lanarkshire
• Portlethen, Aberdeenshire
• Macmerry, Tranent, East Lothian
• Wherstead, Ipswich, Suffolk
• Finmere, Tingewick, Buckinghamshire

Earlier this year, EG On The Move appointed Colliers as its retained agents, as it looks to acquire over 120 new sites over the next three years.