Co-op extends pharmacy estate

Co-operative Group became the UK’s fourth largest pharmacy chain today after announcing deals to buy two regional chemist busineses.

Manchester-based Co-op will have a network of 429 branches after buying 30 drug stores from Gordon Davis, which operates in Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, along with another 10 from Raygale Chemists, which has sites in Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool.