Australian chain The Co-Op is calling upon all fashion labels, edgy tech companies, and iGen enthusiasts for its new youth retail initiative.

The retailer’s Brand Experience Program is calling for eight youth brands to share The Co-Op’s retail space from October.

“This is a first for youth centric brands to gain access to this previously closed community,” says Greg Smith, chief marketing officer of The Co-op.

“Now retailers can gain a backstage pass to embed themselves into our unique on-campus retail footprint,” he says.

The Co-Op has stores at 20 universities Australia-wide and has a significant traction with younger generations.

It specialises in study texts, as well as tech gear, mobile accessories, apparel, beauty products, university memorabilia, and sporting equipment.

A spokesperson told Inside Retail the retailer was open-minded about applications for its Brand Experience Program, as long as the brand was youth-focused.

The eight new brand partners will be given full creative freedom to design and implement their own brand story, as well as exclusivity for a four-week period.

They will also receive access to the Co-op’s active student database.

“This is a golden ticket for any brand trying to tap into the youth market. With only limited spaces available we’re expecting the competition to be fierce,” says Smith.

The Co-Op has 52 stores nationwide and operates as a member owned retailer, with 1.75 million members.