Co-op has appointed Alex Dower as managing director of its retail business, putting him in charge of more than 2,300 stores and its quick-commerce operation.
The appointment was announced on 2 October. Dower most recently led Holland & Barrett’s international division, rather than the wider group, and brings experience across food retail, consumer goods and hospitality.
His new remit covers a substantial grocery business. Co-op’s food retail division reported £7.25bn in revenue for 2025, giving the appointment significance for brands and suppliers serving neighbourhood shopping missions across the UK.
Dower previously worked as chief commercial officer at Woolworths Australia, where his responsibilities included changes to the fresh-food offer, pricing, promotions and partnerships. His earlier roles also included Tesco, Pret A Manger, Harrods, Mars and PepsiCo.
Co-op says his priorities will include food retail growth, a stronger customer offer and innovation across shops and digital channels.
“I’m delighted to be joining Co-op at such an important time for the business,” Dower said.
The appointment follows Co-op’s first-half trading update, which set out its investment in customer value and the continued development of quick commerce. The commercial challenge is to turn shopping activity into repeat purchases that remain worthwhile after promotions and fulfilment costs.
For suppliers, Dower’s fresh-food background makes range quality, availability and promotional execution useful areas to watch. A new managing director does not itself signal revised contracts, listing decisions or a change to supplier payment terms.
Co-op’s position among the UK’s major grocery retailers rests heavily on convenience. A product suited to a large weekly shop may need a different pack size, price point or shelf-life profile to work in a smaller store or a rapid-delivery basket.
That creates a practical test for new product proposals: can the line earn its space across physical and digital channels without adding avoidable waste or picking complexity? Reliable replenishment and clear product data matter alongside the appeal of the product itself.
Suppliers should also distinguish the retail role from the group’s wider buying organisation. Co-op has established a separate Commercial and Logistics business to centralise buying, sourcing and logistics; the appointment should not be read as transferring all those functions to Dower.
The next evidence of his approach will come through changes to ranges, store execution and digital services. For commercial partners, those decisions will be more revealing than the appointment alone.
Editor’s note: Based on Co-op’s announcement dated 2 October 2026, company disclosures and corroborating trade coverage, with GTN analysis of supplier implications.
