Co-op announce plans to double convenience store base

The Co-operative Group has announced plans to double its 2,000 convenience store base over the next five years.

Steve Murrell, CEO of the group's supermarket operation said that though the stores had been damaged by the drug allegations against former bank chairman Reverend Paul Flowers, the bank hoped to open around 150 stores a year and improve those already there.

The new store push will mean tens of thousands of jobs, in the company’s 2012 report the group reported staffing numbers of 72,670 in 2,816 stores.