Co-op Food

Co-op Food, previously trading as The Co-operative Food, is a brand devised for the food retail business of the consumer co-operative movement in the United Kingdom. The brand is used by over 15 different co-operative societies which operate over 4,000 shops, and does not represent one single food retail business. The successor to Co-op Welcome and a range of regional formats, the latest version of the brand was introduced in 2016 with a significant advertising campaign. Customers of many of the larger UK co-operative societies can earn an annual share of the profits at any "Co-operative" branded shop in proportion to purchases through The Co-operative Membership scheme.

For general information on organisations of this name, see Food cooperative.
Co-op Food
A rebranded Co-op Food shop in Old Street, London
Product typeGroceries retailer
OwnerBrand managed by The Co-operative Group
CountryUnited Kingdom
Introduced23 July 1850
Markets4,050+ shops across the UK
WebsiteOfficial website

In 2016, The Co-operative Food accounted for approximately 6.6% of the UK groceries market and was the winner of "convenience retailer of the year" at the 2016 Retail Industry Awards.[1] At the time the Co-operative Group was expanding with the aim of creating 1,500 new jobs and opening 100 new shops.[2]

Operations
Co-op self-service grocers in London in 1933.
Co-op supermarket in Kirton, Lincolnshire in 1995.
Co-op supermarket in Ackworth, West Yorkshire in 1990s-2000s branding.
A Co-operative Food shop in Lawnswood, Leeds with pre 2016 branding.
A Co-operative Food branded Esso petrol station and convenience shop in Northallerton.

Whilst the UK co-operative sector's market share of food retail has diminished from a peak of 30% in the 1950s to just 6.4% today, the largest business in the UK co-operative movement - The Co-operative Group - and is now the sixth largest food retailer in the United Kingdom.

In March 2009, The Co-operative Group acquired the Somerfield supermarket retailer for £1.57bn from a group of private equity investors. The Somerfield Head Office in Bristol, England was subsequently closed and the grocery stores were either sold to rivals or integrated into its own Co-op Food division. In 2016, The Co-operative Group sold 298 smaller convenience stores to rival McColls Retail Group to raise £117m to re-invest into its core food retail business.

The "Co-op" brand is used by over 3,500 shops owned by the various societies which make up the co-operative movement, including the Central England Co-operative and the Midcounties Co-operative, but the brand is most associated with The Co-operative Group as it operates significantly the largest number of shops. A number of co-operative societies including Scotmid and the Lincolnshire Co-operative do not use the standard brand, preferring instead to use the 1992 'cloverleaf version' of The Co-operative brand. In 2016, The Co-operative Group reverted to the use of its 1968 Co-op cloverleaf branding.

Co-op shops are of various sizes incorporating convenience shops and supermarkets, and the brand has the biggest geographical spread of any retailer, with a shop in every postal region of the UK. The vast majority of products sold in "Co-op Food" shops are sourced collectively through the Co-operative Retail Trading Group although stocking decisions and pricing are determined by the individual businesses. The Co-operative Group, which manages the 'Retail Trading Group' took the decision not to compete head-on with the Big Four supermarket multiples purely on price in a market that was becoming ever more competitive. The co-operative movement has largely decided to concentrate instead on smaller convenience shops in local communities and also to market the "co-operative difference" and the ethical stance that the Retail Trading Group has taken on sourcing, having long been a supporter of Fairtrade, renewable energy and higher animal welfare standards.

List of UK Co-operatives with food retail operations

Though often considered to be one supermarket business, The Co-operative Food is a network of supermarkets and convenience shops owned and operated by over 15 independent co-operative societies, many of which have adopted the 2008 version of The Co-operative brand. In total there are over 4,000 co-operative food shops in the UK, more outlets than any other grocer. The table below indicates how many food shops each co-operative society operates.

Co-operative SocietyNumber of OutletsIncarnation of The Co-operative brand
The Co-operative Group2,7742016 cloverleaf
Central England Co-operative2612008 Version
The Midcounties Co-operative2342008 Version / ICA logo
Southern Co-operative2132008 Version
Scotmid206Own Version / ICA logo
East of England Co-operative Society132Own Version
Lincolnshire Co-operative841993 cloverleaf
Chelmsford Star Co-operative422008 Version
Heart of England Co-operative332008 Version
Channel Islands Co-operative Society26Own Version
Radstock Co-operative Society162008 Version
Tamworth Co-operative122008 Version
Clydebank Co-operative Society61993 cloverleaf
Allendale Co-op1Own Version
Coniston Co-op1Own Version / 1993 cloverleaf
Grosmont Co-operative Society1Own Version

Shop numbers for year 2016-2017:[3][4][5]

Shop numbers for the year 2015-16:[6][7][8][9][10] [11][12] Shop numbers for the year 2014-15 [13][14][15]

Ethical trading initiatives

The Co-operative Food is widely recognised for its commitment to responsible and ethical trading, particularly for championing fairtrade in the UK.[16] These commitments and its mutual structure led to The Co-operative Food being awarded Ethical Consumer Magazine's 'Best Buy' status in 2011 and 2014.[17] This section only refers to sourcing initiatives for food sold through the Co-operative Retail Trading Group and more information on the commitments of individual co-operative societies can be found on their respective pages.

The Co-operative Food was the first major UK retailer to stock Fairtrade products and was the first UK supermarket to sell fairtrade coffee (1992), bananas (2000), own-brand chocolate (2000), own-brand wine (2001), sugar (2005) and blueberries (2010).[16] Since then, all own brand block chocolate (2002), coffee (2003), sugar (2008), bananas (2012), winter blueberries (2012) has been converted to fairtrade. The Co-operative Food is also the largest UK retailer of fairly traded wine and has the largest range of fairtrade products in the UK. The business has also been recognised for working with many co-operative and smallholder farmers, including providing investment funding to enable farming co-operatives who supply them to convert to fairtrade certification. In 2014 its fairtrade sales were £133m.[18][19]

The Co-operative Food is one of the leading retailers of responsible fish in the UK having launched its Responsible Fish Sourcing Policy in 2008 after commissioning research in association with NGOs, academics and its suppliers. The Co-operative Food was commended by the Marine Conservation Society with a 'gold award' (2011) and a 'silver award' (2013) and, for its sourcing policy, The Co-operative was one of five organisations accredited with the 2010 Seafood Champion Award.[20] Their fish sourcing policy specifies that no fish sold by The Co-op can be found on the Marine Stewardship Council's 'Fish To Avoid' list, all own brand tuna must be pole and line caught and own brand farmed salmon is certified by the RSPCA. In 2015 the co-op became one of the first retails to join the 'Ocean Disclosure Project' which requires the business to report transparently on the geographic locations, fishing methods and sustainability characteristics of all of the fisheries from which they source.[21][22] This move confirmed an ongoing commitment by The Co-operative Food in promoting transparent and responsible fishing in the UK.

All Co-operative own-brand health, beauty and household products are marked with an "approved by BUAV" rabbit symbol to show that neither the product nor its ingredients have been tested on animals. This has been the case since 1985 and 1997 for toiletry and household products respectively.[23]

For a number of years The Co-operative Food has sourced approximately 98% of its electricity from renewable sources,[23] of which 12% they generate themselves and another proportion is sourced from community energy projects supported by 'The Co-operative Enterprise Hub'.[24]

The Co-operative Food donates money from the sale of bottled water and carrier bags to various charitable causes with over £5m awarded since the project started. Projects which have been funded included clean water projects in Africa and emergency funding for the 2015 DEC Nepal Earthquake appeal.[25]

A strong British sourcing policy has been central to The Co-operative Food for a number of years. In 2014, all fresh beef, butter, cheese, chicken, duck, eggs, ham, milk, meat pie fillings, meat sandwich fillings, pork, turkey, sausages and salmon were sourced from within the UK.[26] The business has pledged that all in season potatoes, carrots, cabbage, swede, onions, parsnips and lamb will be British by 2018.[27]

Branding
A Co-op branch at the University of Reading's Whiteknights Campus, bearing the revived 1968 'Cloverleaf' branding.

The Co-operative Food brand is a part of the larger national The Co-operative brand which was last updated in 2008. According to Catherine Charnock of Co-operative Brands Ltd., The Co-operative Food was given a green identifying colour distinguishing it from other co-operative business sectors (such as pharmacy, banking, travel and funerals) and from the previous blue livery.[28]

In May 2016, the company received a complete re-brand, reviving the earlier blue 1968 Co-op "Cloverleaf" design.[29]

Many Co-op Food shops provide music and information for customers using the in-shop "Co-op Radio" which is produced and broadcast by Mood Media.[30] Since 2015, Scotmid has provided its own "in-shop radio"[31] on behalf of The Co-operative Group.

On-demand groceries

Co-op Food offers customers a free online grocery delivery and collection service in certain UK postcodes through the website - www.quickshop.coop.co.uk

Distribution

Co-op Food Supply Chain Logistics is the distribution business of The Co-operative Group that manages the national and international distribution of goods on behalf of all the food retailing co-operative societies who are members of the Co-operative Retail Trading Group. The Co-operative Group manages all of its own logistics and virtually all of its delivery operations, although several distribution centres use 3rd party logistics partners to manage their transport operations. Supply Chain Logistics Head Office is co-located at the Birtley Distribution Centre.

Co-op Food Supply Chain Logistics has 8 regional composite distribution centres and 3 smaller satellite depots supporting the larger CDCs. The Coventry-based National Distribution Centre (NDC) supplies all distribution centres direct, with slow moving lines.

Depot NameLocationProductsTransport Operation
Birtley (Logistics Head Office)Birtley, County DurhamAmbient, Frozen (picked in Newhouse), Chilled, Meat and ProduceCo-op SCL
AndoverAndover, HampshireAmbient, Frozen, Chilled, Meat and ProduceXPO Logistics
AvonmouthAvonmouth, BristolAmbient, Frozen (picked in Andover), Chilled, Meat and ProduceXPO Logistics
CastlewoodMansfield, DerbyshireAmbient, Frozen (picked in Lea Green), Chilled, Meat and ProduceCo-op SCL
Lea GreenSt Helens, MerseysideAmbient, Frozen, Chilled, Meat and ProduceWincanton
NewhouseLanarkshire, ScotlandAmbient, Frozen, Chilled, Meat and ProduceCo-op SCL
ThurrockWest Thurrock, EssexAmbient, Frozen (picked in Andover), Chilled, Meat and ProduceCo-op SCL
CardinalHuntingdon, CambridgeshireAmbient (picked in Castlewood), Frozen (picked in Andover), Chilled, Meat and ProduceWincanton
Coventry (NDC)Coventry, West MidlandsSlow moving lines.Eddie Stobart
InvernessHighlands, ScotlandSatellite depot for Northern ScotlandCo-op SCL
CarrickfergusCounty Antrim, N IrelandSatellite depot for Northern IrelandCo-op SCL
PlymouthPlymouth, DevonSatellite depot for South Western EnglandCo-op SCL
LeicesterLeicesterAmbient,Chilled, Meat and Produce depot for LeicestershireCentral England Co-operative

Membership
Main article: Co-operative Group § Dividend and membership scheme

Members of The Co-operative Group and participating regional societies earn one membership point for every £1.00 spent at The Co-operative Food. Points are converted into dividend at a rate agreed annually by the Board.[32]

In September 2016, The Co-operative Group launched a new meaningful membership, which means when a member purchases Co-op products and services, 5% of the money will come back to the member, and 1% of the money spent will go to the member's local community through community partnerships. This membership spans the Food business, Funeralcare and is intended to extend to Insurance.

Product ranges

Co-op Food ranges currently are (as of May 2016):

  • Co-op - standard own brand range
  • Irresistible - premium food and drink
  • Free From - suitable for customers with food allergies

Co-op Food ranges formerly were:

  • Loved By Us - standard own brand range
  • Truly Irresistible - premium food and drink
  • Home Baking- home baking range
  • Simply Value - low price range

In November 2020 the "Honest Value" range was launched reviving a low price range.[33]

Product awards

Co-op Food have won a number of awards since its incarnation and a selection of them are listed below:[34]

Awarding BodyAwardRelevant ProductPrizeYear
British Sandwich AwardsSandwich Convenience Retailer of the Year AwardWinner2015
The Grocer Own-Label AwardsChairman's AwardKashmiri Butter Chicken, Red Onion & Spinach Pizza Best Overall Product2015
The Grocer Own-Label AwardsChilled Family DessertThe Co-operative Truly Irresistible Scottish Raspberry Prosecco Pannacotta TerrineGold2015
The Grocer Own-Label AwardsCobs Rolls and WrapsThe Co-operative Red Leicester And Pumpkin Seed BatardGold2015
The Grocer Own-Label AwardsFrozen Meal AccompnimentThe Co-operative Loved by us 4 Microwaveable Golden Vegetable Rice BagsGold2015
The Grocer Own-Label AwardsPoultry JointsThe Co-operative Loved by us Extra Tasty Whole ChickenGold2015
Pizza, Pasta and Italian Food AssociationConvenience Shop Pizza RetailerWinner2014
Retail Industry AwardsChilled Retailer of the Year 2014Winner2014
The Grocer Own-Label AwardsVinegars & OilsThe Co-operative Truly Irresistible British Coldpressed Rapeseed OilGold2014
The Grocer Own-Label AwardsCheese, CheddarThe Co-operative Truly Irresistible Somerset Vintage Cheddar Winner2012
The Grocer Own-Label AwardsFish, CoatedThe Co-operative Truly Irresistible Smoked Haddock Melting Middle FishcakesGold2011
The Grocer Own-Label AwardsConfectioneryThe Co-operative Truly Irresistible Fairtrade Milk Chocolate with ButterscotchGold2011

See also

References
  1. "Co-op Group crowned convenience retailer of the year". Access Point. 26 October 2016. Archived from the original on 28 November 2016.
  2. "Co-op Group planning 1,500 UK jobs with 100 new stores". BBC News. 28 December 2016. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
  3. "Co-op Membership jumps 18% as revenue and market share grows". Co-operative.coop.
  4. Annual Report & Financial Statements: 53 weeks ended 28 January 2017 (PDF) (Report). Central England Co-operative. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 April 2017.
  5. "Starlight Magazine" (PDF). Chelmsfordstar.coop. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  6. Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 23rd January 2016 (PDF) (Report). Heart of England Co-operative. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 October 2016.
  7. The Midcounties Co-operative: Annual Report & Accounts 2015/16 (PDF) (Report). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 October 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  8. "The southern Cooperative : Annual Report 2016" (PDF). Thesouthernco-operative.co.uk. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  9. "Landmark 200th shop for Southern - Co-operative News". Thenews.coop. 2 August 2016.
  10. Investing in the Future: Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 (PDF) (Report). East of England Co-op. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 August 2016.
  11. "Channel Islands Co-operative Society - Food Shops". Channelislands.coop.
  12. Annual Report and Accounts 2016 (PDF) (Report). The Radstock Co-operative Society.
  13. "Half Yearly Report for the 6 months ended 7th March 2015" (PDF). Lincolnshire Co-op. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  14. "Lincolnshire Co-operative reports growth in food, travel and pharmacy". Thenews.coop. 25 April 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  15. "About Us". Scotmid Co-operative. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  16. "The Co-operative". Fairtrade.org.uk. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  17. "The most ethical supermarkets. Shopping guide from Ethical Consumer". Ethicalconsumer.org. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  18. "Our Fairtrade products & stories". Co-operative.coop. Archived from the original on 10 January 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  19. "Fairtrade gets huge boost from The Co-operative's new ethical plan". The Guardian. 18 February 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  20. "The Co-operative named worldwide seafood champion". Co-operative.coop. Archived from the original on 10 January 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  21. "Ocean Disclosure Project 2015" (PDF). www.sustainablefish.org. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  22. "Reducing our impacts - fish sourcing". Co-operativefood.co.uk. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  23. Our Annual Report 2015 (PDF). Web.archive.org (Report). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 April 2016.
  24. "Our Charity Partnership - The Co-operative". Co-operative.coop. Archived from the original on 2 March 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  25. "Fairbourne Springs water projects". Co-operative.coop. Archived from the original on 13 September 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  26. This excludes continental meats (e.g. Chorizo) "Co-operative Group Limited: Annual Report 2014" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 November 2016.
  27. Born and Bred: A report into The Co-operative Food’s UK-wide sourcing (PDF). Co-operativefood.co.uk (Report). Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  28. Charnock, Catherine, Marketing The Co-operative Advantage (PDF), archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2010, retrieved 14 June 2010
  29. "About Us", Co-operative.coop, retrieved 23 May 2016
  30. "Co-operative Radio shows sales increase up to 40%". Moodmedia.co.uk. Archived from the original on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  31. "Scotmid warns of 'challenging market' despite sales boost". TheGrocer.co.uk. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  32. The Co-operative Membership The Co-operative Group (retrieved 20 August 2009)
  33. Hegarty, Ronan (21 October 2020). "Co-op cuts branded and own-label prices and adds new Honest Value range". The Grocer.
  34. "2015 Winners by Retailer - The Grocer Own Label Food & Drink Awards". Thegrocerownlabel.co.uk. Archived from the original on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
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