LONDON, UK: The Co-operative Group (Co-op) has agreed to sell its petrol forecourt business to Asda for an enterprise value of £600 million.

This transaction includes 129 petrol forecourt sites, spread across the UK and represents 5% of Co-op’s retail estate of 2,564 stores.

With a primary focus on developing further its leading core convenience proposition, the proceeds from the sale of its relatively small non-core petrol forecourt business, will be used to:

·    Reinvest into Co-op’s leading core convenience business centred around its retail estate, as well as its growing wholesale, franchise and e-commerce operations, including new convenience stores in the heart of more communities

·    Invest in Co-op’s pricing, store operations, technology, and logistics

·    Support the reduction of Co-op’s net debt

Shirine Khoury-Haq, Chief Executive at the Co-op comments: “This transaction is in line with our strategy to move away from operating petrol forecourts and supports our vision of Co-operating for a fairer world while building our core leading convenience business.

“I would like to thank our incredible colleagues in these stores, and we will work closely with Asda to ensure a smooth transition.”

The transaction is due to complete in Q4 2022.

Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives with interests across food, funerals, insurance and legal services. Owned by millions of UK consumers, the Co-op operates over 2,500 food stores, over 800 funeral homes and provides products to over 5,000 other stores, including those run by independent co-operative societies and through its wholesale business, Nisa Retail Limited.