The Co-operative Group will put banking operations inside up to 250 of its biggest convenience stores to encourage customers to use more services within the mutual group, according to The Telegraph.

The Co-op will invest£1 million in the scheme, which it hopes will help double its market share in financial services over five years.

Trials began six weeks ago in stores in Nottingham, Brighton and Hove. The services offered will differ between stores, with some offering just cash withdrawal services and others havingstaff available to advise on products.

The move follows similar strategies adopted by Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer. On average, customers have 1.3 financial products, but the Co-op thinks this could increase to more than two.