Co-op’s newly rebranded wholesale division has announced a multi-year partnership with UK motorway services operator Roadchef, aimed at fuelling growth.
The agreement will see Co-op take over eight grocery stores formerly operated by Spar, introducing a wide selection of its own-brand products to motorway service areas nationwide.
Roadchef, which welcomes over 52 million visitors each year, is continuing to invest in the modernisation of its sites. Co-op Wholesale described the new partnership as a significant milestone for the motorway services operator, enhancing the customer experience by offering greater choice, convenience, and quality.
The initial store conversions are scheduled to take place between June and September 2025, with both parties also exploring additional opportunities for future expansion.
Co-op Wholesale managing director Katie Secretan said: “We’re looking forward to bringing a fresh approach to these stores, catering to the needs of all these customers and making sure they can access an award-winning own brand range, whilst on the move.
“The beauty of our flexible wholesale model means we’re able to work cross-functionally with the teams at Roadchef to select the right fascia and proposition for their locations and I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together.”
Roadchef retail, procurement and supply chain director Kevin Whitehouse added: “The complete offer from Co-op Wholesale really resonates with what we’re trying to achieve at Roadchef, and we chose to partner with them due to the strength of their own brand range and distribution network. Our customers are looking for great quality products on the go, and this is exactly what we’ll be able to offer through Co-op Wholesale.”
Last month, the Co-op Group rebranded its Nisa wholesale division as Co-op Wholesale, reinforcing its dedication to supporting the independent retail sector.
Just last week, Co-op Wholesale announced a £800,000 investment into the wholesale selling prices of key own-brand lines, aiming to deliver greater value for its retail partners.
The move will see Co-op Wholesale double its range of own-brand products—from 50 to over 100 lines—guided by sales data to pinpoint the most essential items for independent retailers.
