In-store banks are especially conducive for companies moving into new territories, he said, because they generate customers.

Statewide's branch, like other in-store banks, provides full service and occupies an average of 400 square feet.

Retail bankers say the in-store banks are not only popular with shoppers but also profitable for the banks.

Gary Salters, manager of the Hove in-store bank, says the initiative is working well.

In addition, many new customer conveniences were added including in-store banks, pharmacies, Chinese kitchens, coffee shops, photo processing, and dry cleaning services.

The bank is testing a different strategy in each of the branches to see what works before considering rolling out in-store banks if the pilot is successful.

Today, many Dominick's feature in-store bank locations and ATMs by First Chicago successor, Chase.

The Hove in-store bank, positioned directly opposite the pet food aisle, is one of eight currently being trialled by Co-operative Bank in an 18-month pilot scheme across England.

Laura McCafferty, a spokeswoman for the Elizabeth-based Wakefern Food Corporation, the cooperative that runs the ShopRite chain said that "in-store bank branches" benefit everyone.

The concept of in-store bank branches is not new but has gained appeal over the last five years as a way for banks to broaden their customer base and deliver their services more efficiently and less expensively.

Rod Bulmer, managing director of retail at Co-op Bank, said the firm had integrated the 245 Britannia branches following the merger in 2009 and could open hundreds of in-store banks if the pilot scheme is successful.

Some of those extras, to be found in abundance in other parts of the country, are large salad bars, roomy sit-down eating areas, full-service bakeries with patisseries, in-store banks and dry cleaners, and coffee bars.

Under his leadership, Star Market was the first to implement many innovations in the supermarket industry, such as unit pricing, meats wrapped in cellophane, in-store banks and florists, as well as installing conveyor belts that carried bags of groceries to a central pickup station at the store parking lot.

In addition to the grocery department, they contain a Fred Meyer Jewelers, Starbucks, Donatos Pizza, and an in-store bank, as well as sections for toys, appliances, home furnishings, and bed and bath, something that Big Bear once had in their stores in the Columbus area.