Co-op has launched a new national digital Out-Of-Home advertising proposition in partnership with Smart Outdoor, marking the retailer’s formal expansion into the UK Digital Out-Of-Home (DOOH) media market.
Announced on 14 May 2026, the new platform, called Co-op Media Network Out of Home, will use more than 1,000 front-of-store digital advertising screens installed across Co-op locations throughout the United Kingdom.
The retailer said the network is designed to deliver neighbourhood-level advertising reach at national scale, targeting everyday consumer journeys rather than relying only on traditional commuter-focused outdoor advertising locations.
Co-op said the network positions the business as the fourth largest digital outdoor advertising operator in the UK market, behind JCDecaux, Global and Bauer Media Outdoor.
The advertising estate includes screens located in city centres, residential districts, rural communities and highland locations. According to the retailer, the network also expands digital advertising access into 23 UK territories that previously had limited DOOH infrastructure.
Smart Outdoor will manage media planning and buying operations for the network, while Co-op will retain ownership and long-term operational control.
The move reflects how major supermarket and convenience retailers are increasingly building retail media businesses beyond traditional in-store advertising. Across the wider UK retail technology sector, retailers are investing more heavily in digital screens, loyalty platforms, customer data systems and retail media networks as alternative revenue streams become more important.
Co-op said many of its stores are located close to bus stops and train stations, helping advertisers reach consumers during both commuting and local daily journeys such as shopping trips, school runs and neighbourhood errands.
The retailer operates more than 2,300 food stores across the UK and reported annual revenues above £11 billion.
For the wider UK retail technology market, the announcement highlights how convenience retail locations are becoming part of the country’s expanding digital advertising infrastructure.
What happens next will likely depend on advertiser adoption, expansion of the screen network and how effectively supermarket-based media platforms compete against traditional outdoor advertising operators.
Editors’ Note: This article is based on the official announcement released by Co-op on 14 May 2026 regarding the launch of its new national Digital Out-Of-Home advertising proposition in partnership with Smart Outdoor. All company figures, screen network data and operational details were sourced from the original corporate release.
