Co-op Media Network (CMN) has completed the rollout of its 1,000th front-of-store digital advertising screen, marking a major acceleration in the convenience retailer’s retail media ambitions.
The milestone installation – unveiled in Newton Stewart, Scotland – pushes Co-op’s total digital touchpoints to 15,871 nationwide, cementing its position as one of the UK’s most accessible, data-rich media owners.
From plan to scale: 230% growth in 12 months
When Co-op first announced plans for 300 front-of-store screens last October, few predicted how quickly the programme would scale.
In just 12 months, the total has surged by over 230% to 1,000 screens at store entrances – prime positions for brands seeking immediacy and frequency at the moment shoppers step inside.
A nationwide canvas across 2,300 stores
Today, 2,300 Co-op stores host 15,871 screens, spanning kiosks, self-service checkouts and customer-facing tills, alongside the newly expanded front-of-store network.
Delivered with Commercial IT Services and Grassfish, the rollout reaches major city centres, rural towns and island communities – ensuring advertisers can target a wide spectrum of demographics and shopper missions, from top-up convenience to meal-for-tonight and distress-purchase trips.
Beyond the aisle: year-round audiences in high-footfall venues
CMN’s footprint now extends well beyond bricks-and-mortar food retail.
The network reaches festival pop-ups, hospitals, service stations and train stations, placing brands in high-footfall environments throughout the year and multiplying opportunities to influence both planned and spontaneous purchases.
Reach and relevance at the point of purchase
With 70% of the UK population living within two miles of a Co-op, the retailer argues it is uniquely positioned to deliver both reach and local relevance.
Investment in front-of-store screens strengthens Co-op’s proposition for brands seeking to engage high-frequency shoppers at the most responsive moment.
As the SMG chief client officer notes, front-of-store formats are among the most effective ways to reach shoppers at the point of purchase, converting awareness into action within seconds.
What’s next: innovation and growth into 2026
Co-op confirmed that expansion will continue into 2026, with further innovation announcements expected early next year. The momentum suggests more formats, smarter targeting and deeper integration across missions and moments – giving advertisers richer ways to plan nationally while activating locally.
Conclusion: a front-door media moment
By hitting 1,000 front-of-store screens and 15,871 digital touchpoints overall, Co-op has shifted its retail media strategy into a higher gear.
The mix of national scale, everyday proximity and real-time context offers brands a powerful canvas – one that starts at the door, travels through the shop, and now reaches into high-footfall venues beyond retail.
For marketers chasing both reach and results, Co-op’s growing network looks set to be a defining channel in the years ahead.
