Co-op membership drive ahead of Waitrose competition

The Co-op is hoping more customers will join the society ahead of Waitrose opening its stores in Jersey.

Five stores have been taken over in the Channel Islands, and the first Waitrose will open in Jersey in two weeks.

As part of the drive, the Co-op said it will match the £1 fee for becoming a member and donate it to a charity.

Jim Plumley, the Co-op's chief commercial officer, said it is particularly important to attract new members this year.

He said it was an annual event to run a recruitment drive, but it was important to make sure all new customers are members because of the added competition of Waitrose opening.

Members who join in the next three months can choose the donation to go to the Channel Islands Air Search, Jersey Hospice Care or the Teenage Cancer Trust.