In a significant move to advance its retail media offerings, Co-op has announced the installation of 300 new front-of-store digital media screens.
This investment, conducted in partnership with independent retail media operator SMG, aims to increase the total number of screens across Co-op’s 2,400 stores to 9,300. These screens will be strategically placed at the entrance of the store, in the store foyer, or in windows near the entrance, focusing on areas with the highest footfall such as Greater London, Greater Manchester, and North Yorkshire.
With a target of getting 24 stores live each week until January 2025, this initiative is part of the Co-op Media Network’s broader strategy to enhance digital capabilities. The expansion allows FMCG brands to strengthen their engagement across Co-op outlets, offering new opportunities for in-store campaigns concentrating on food-to-go, food-for-later, and treat occasions.
Co-op’s Managing Director, Matt Hood, emphasised the significance of this development by stating, “We’re the experts in convenience, and given our unparalleled shopper footfall, we want brands that invest with us to realise that retail media spend in Co-op stores can yield significant results that can importantly be measured, with a consistent return on investment across the board.” He added that this move underscores Co-op’s position as the largest and leading media owner in the UK’s convenience sector.
This expansion follows the earlier launch of Co-op’s pioneering convenience retail media network in the UK, aiming to improve advertising relevancy and assist brands in reaching a wider audience.
The deployment of these digital screens is a testament to Co-op’s commitment to enhancing its digital media presence and providing measurable value to partner brands.
