Yahoo News Co-op store says 'bonjour' to Bonmarché creating extra jobs
A supermarket has said "bonjour" to a popular women's fashion retailer in a first national partnership.
Louth Co-op will include a Bonmarché fashion outlet as part of its refurbishment, it has been confirmed.
The Northgate store is undergoing a 12-week programme of works and improvements which is set to conclude with its official relaunch on Friday, May 31.
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The new fashion outlet will create a number of new jobs, but as yet managers are not saying how many. Co-op’s Louth store supports around 30 local jobs and the major makeover will transform the shopping experience for its member-owners and customers in the community.
The introduction of a 3,000 sq ft Bonmarché store – which also launches on Friday, May 31 - marks the first partnership between Co-op and the value womenswear fashion retailer.
The announcement comes just days after Morrisons received the go ahead for its £20-million new store on Eastgate creating 50 extra jobs.
The Bonmarché store will stock the latest trends in sizes 10-28, providing inspirational fashion for women. Collections available include the Lorraine Loves Edit, curated by TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, alongside its occasion-wear collection designed by royal couturier David Emanuel.
The move come as Co-op reveals growth ambitions for its food business, and Bonmarché announces plans to ramp up its expansion plans over the next 18 months, bringing more stores to UK high streets. The Co-op has remained open throughout the extensive refurbishment programme. It will re-launch with a fresh new look and layout including hot food, bakery, and Costa Coffee Express.
Parcel collections services are also available for added ease and convenience through InPost Lockers and DPD. The store includes a focus on fresh, healthy produce; meal ideas; everyday essentials; food-to-go; Fairtrade products, flowers, chilled beers and award-winning wines; ready meals, pizzas and, free-from, vegan and plant-based products.
Co-op bosses say they are also committed to supporting British farmers, growers and suppliers, with all of its fresh and frozen meat and poultry, including in its ready meals, pies and freshly prepared sandwiches, being 100 per cent British.
A soft plastic recycle unit is available in store to enable the community to recycle ‘soft plastics’ including crisp packets and bread bags, lids from ready meals and yogurt pots, biscuit wrappers and pet food pouches - ensuring all Co-op’s own food packaging is recyclable either through local authority kerbside collections, or the in-store recycling unit.
Mark Matthews, director of format and innovation at Co-op, said: “We are delighted to partner with Bonmarché. As we invest in transforming our Louth store we are committed to creating added services which provide a compelling customer offer in the community. The addition of a Bonmarché store will offer further value and choice for our member-owners and customers in the Louth community.”
Claire Robinson, Bonmarché area manager, said: “We are so excited and looking forward to welcoming shoppers into our new Louth store. The store design looks amazing, and we are sure our new and existing customers will love it! We will open with all the latest styles including an amazing selection of summer and resort styles to prepare Louth for the warmer temperatures ahead! On opening day, the first 30 purchasing customers will receive an exciting Bonmarché goody bag, and there will be lots of discounts and prizes to be won for those visiting us in-store!”
Kevin Ferguson, Co-op’s Louth store manager, added: “The whole team is delighted to have the opportunity to transform Co-op’s Louth store with a fresh new look and layout. The arrival of Bonmarché is a great addition, and will appeal to new and different shoppers in Louth.
"Our aim is to operate at the heart of local life and we have worked to develop the range, choice and added services to serve our community. The store has a focus on delivering value, with member price savings across a wide range of everyday essentials so that the people who own our business, our member-owners, benefit every time they shop.”
Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer-owned co-operatives, with its history dating back to 1844. Its member-owners own the business and play an intrinsic part in the governance of the organisation - enjoying a wide number of benefits including member-only price savings across everyday grocery essentials, and personalised offers via the Co-op Membership app.
Bonmarché was founded in 1982 and with more than 200 stores is one of the UK’s largest women’s only value retailers focused on selling affordable, quality womenswear.
