The Co-op is to introduce a 10% student discount across its 3,600 food stores later this month as it looks to target younger shoppers.

The mutual will offer the deal to almost 600,000 National Union of Students (NUC) card holders from September 23.

NUS uses collective purchasing power to access to promotional deals through the card.

The Co-op Food head of commercial for grocery CJ Antal-Smith said: “Students are facing increasing financial pressures while studying, and are becoming more savvy when it comes to food shopping.  We wanted to help students, many of whom are living away from home for the first time, to live and cook on a budget. 

“As a community-based retailer, with a store in every UK postal area, The Co-operative is ideal for students picking up food on their way to and from lectures.”

She added: “By offering a 10 per cent discount with an NUS extra card, we’re giving a big incentive for students to make good, healthy choices about the food they eat.”