Co-op Wholesale has confirmed a multi-year contract with motorway service area operator Roadchef.

The deal will see eight grocery stores, previously operated by Spar, transformed into Co-op Wholesale supplied stores, offering an extensive range of own-brand products at service locations across the UK. Roadchef has yet to confirm fascia choice with options including Nisa, independent and co-branded formats being considered. 

The first of these newly branded stores are expected to roll out between June and September 2025, with further opportunities being mutually explored by both parties.

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Katie Secretan, managing director at Co-op Wholesale, described the new contract as a “huge moment” adding that it will bring a “fresh approach” to the stores.

She added: “The beauty of our flexible wholesale model means we’re able to work cross-functionally with the teams at Roadchef to select the right fascia and proposition for their locations, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together.”

Kevin Whitehouse, retail, procurement & supply chain director at Roadchef, explained that the decision to partner with Co-op Wholesale was driven by the strength of the Co-op’s own brand range and its distribution network.

He said: “Our customers are looking for great quality products on the go, and this is exactly what we’ll be able to offer through Co-op Wholesale.”

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