The rollout follows a successful trial in Co-op’s London Moorgate store, which began at the start of the year. The range will feature YO! To Go bestselling items including its crispy salmon rolls, vegan sushi and chicken katsu bites.
The move marks the group’s continued push into retail, particularly in the grab and go market. The brand is also as pre-packaged sushi in 400 Sainsbury’s stores and 100 David Lloyd Leisure Centres in the UK while its Taiko brand is also available in Waitrose.
The YO! Group also operates 52 kiosks in Tesco stores and 30 kiosks under the Panku brand in Asda, which it trialed in March.
“Expanding our partnership with Co-op is another important milestone as we progress our multi-channel, multi brand strategy,” says David Hampton, managing director of Retail at YO!.
“Our mission is to increase the availability of high-quality, Japanese food across the UK and broadening our retail offer so that there are more ways consumers can try our food and products is a fundamental part of achieving this.”
Last month YO!, which was bought by Mayfair Equity Partners in November 2015, entered into Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) that resuled in the closure of 19 of its restaurants
The company says the CVA will enable the business to adapt to what it says are the lasting challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
