Co-op slashes produce prices

THE Co-operative is targeting the price of fresh fruit and veg as part of a £125m price war.

The Manchester-based group, which specialises in convenience stores, said it would be slashing the prices on 100 fresh produce lines in its 2,800 shops nationwide.

Deals include offering iceberg lettuces, carrots (500g) and whole cucumbers at just 39p each.

Steve Murrells, retail chief executive, The Co-operative Group, said: “Consumers are shopping differently, buying little, more frequently and, increasingly swapping the weekly shop for purchasing what they need, when they need it.

“In addition, food retailing remains highly competitive and we have responded to provide customers with great prices and fresh, quality produce at each of our stores. This makes our price investment the biggest by a convenience retailer, providing consumers across the length and breadth of the UK with lower priced produce and helping them to keep shopping in their neighbourhood.”

This year, The Co-operative Food is looking to open 100 new convenience stores and will undertake 255 store refits.