The Co-operative Group has announced an expansion deal.

The Co-operative Group has announced its biggest ever pharmacy deal following its merge with United Co-operatives – confirming its position as the UK’s third largest chain and bolstering its future expansion plans.

The deal has involved the Group buying over 51 pharmacies in the north of England, plus one non-dispensing outlet, from the PCT Healthcare Group. The pharmacies, which have a combined annual turnover of £51 million, will increase the Co-operative Group’s total number of pharmacies to 779.

Peter Marks, Chief Executive of The Co-operative Trading Group, said: “This is a very significant deal and one which underlines our healthcare business’ position as one of the fastest-growing pharmacy chains in the UK.”

The Group has seen significant growth in recent years, having more than doubled its operation since 2004 and its merge with United Co-operatives in July of this year.

The merge added 236 United branches to the Group, making the society the world’s largest co-operative with outlets specialising in pharmacy, food, and financial services amongst others. It currently has 2.5 million active trading members and more than 80,000 employees.

The new merged organisation will soon operate under the brand, ‘The Co-operative’.