Euros on sale in Midlands Co-op stores

MIDLANDS Co-op has struck another first by rolling out a pilot programme of selling sealed packs of 50 or 100 euros to busy customers along with the weekly...

MIDLANDS Co-op has struck another first by rolling out a pilot programme of selling sealed packs of 50 or 100 euros to busy customers along with the weekly shop.

A trial programme at stores in Bakewell, North Wingfield and Oundle proved such a winner that customers at 14 additional stores will now be able to use the new service.

The society says it has deliberately selected stores across its trading area that do not have a travel shop nearby.

Operations Manager Julie Tyler explained: "We are always looking at improving our service to customers. It became apparent to us that many of our shoppers who had booked last-minute holidays or low-cost flights struggled to find time to purchase their currency in advance of their departure.

"Working with our currency partner, International Currency Exchange, we devised a scheme to provide a one-stop shopping experience and it has proved so successful in our three trial stores that we decided to make it available elsewhere."

Customers simply request the sealed packs of euros at the till and a supervisor retrieves them from a safe. The packs are commission-free and are broken down into sensible denominations – including small notes to pay the taxi-driver!

The maximum purchase is &#163 750 in a single transaction and the euros cannot be returned to the shop where they were purchased.

Added Ms Tyler: &#039Whilst some retailers do have bureaux de change within their stores, we believe we are the only retailer to introduce this service in this particular format. If this extended rollout proves successful, we shall certainly be considering providing the service within more stores."

The &#039euros for sale&#039 scheme operates in the following Midlands Co-op supermarkets and convenience stores: Anstey, Bakewell, Broughton Astley, Dudley, Kingstanding (Birmingham), North Wingfield, Oundle, Stretton (Burton upon Trent), Thrapston; Yardley (Birmingham), Stafford, Asfordby (Leicester), Duffield (Derby), Kibworth (Leics), Mountsorrel (Leics), Rothwell (Northants) and Sutton Coldfield.

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