Co-op invests in Scottish Highlands sites ahead of Christmas

Co-op has revealed that it will open a new store in Gairloch in the North-West Highlands ahead of Christmas, as well as relaunching a further five Scottish stores following major refits.

Four of the five refitted stores due to reopen are based in the Highlands: Brora, Evanton, Fortrose and Inverness; while the fifth is in Callandar, Stirling.

Stores in Kingussie in the Scottish Highlands; Selkirk in the Scottish Borders; Irvine, North Ayrshire; and Kingswells in Aberdeenshire have also recently reopened after major refits. You can see inside the Irvine and Kingswells stores here.

All the new sites offer parcel collection and rapid delivery.

The openings are part of Co-op’s investment of more than £200m over 2024/25 in over 200 new and transformed stores across the UK.

Shirine Khoury-Haq, Co-op Group CEO, said: “We’re investing in stores and communities right across the UK because we believe in the future of the high street. But sustained growth needs certainty. Business-rates reform is vital if retailers – especially the 99% who run small stores – are to plan with confidence, protect jobs and keep local economies thriving.

“Co-op is showing what’s possible when businesses commit to communities. The Government now has an opportunity in the Autumn Budget to do its part by delivering the reform that’s long been promised – giving every retailer, from small to large, the stability to invest and grow.”

Recently refitted Co-op stores in Scotland:

New Co-op store: