Retailer invests £2m in new Co-op franchise stores

Kailasapillai will be growing his portfolio to eight stores, with a total investment of more than £2m, and by the end of the summer will have Co-op stores in Barking in East London, Dewsbury in West Yorkshire, Westhoughton in Greater Manchester, Northolt in West London, Wakefield in West Yorkshire, Andover in Hampshire, Ripon in North Yorkshire, and Thornton in West Yorkshire.

Kailasapillai, who opened his first Co-op franchise in 2020 in Barking, said: “The Co-op model has the capability to support me and my stores across the country and makes it easy for them to just run on their own. I care deeply about the quality of products I can offer my customers, as well as paying a fair price to the people behind the products so have many alignments with Co-op and their values.

“As a retailer I know the role I can play in the community and I know by working with Co-op and I can do even more for them and help support those that need it.”

Martin Rogers, head of new channels at Co-op, added: “We’re looking for the right retailers in the right locations who share our values and principles to grow with us and we are delighted that Siva has chosen Co-op to be his franchise partner. He’s already at the heart of so many communities and we’re really excited to see how his estate continues to grow and thrive and how our partnership develops.”