Co-operative ‘walks the walk’ as Most Sustainable Retailer of the Year

The Co-operative was named Most Sustainable Retailer of the Year at the Retail Industry Awards 2011, which recognise the very best in UK retailing.
 
Beating off competition from Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco, The Co-operative picked up the award for its commitment to sustainable retailing.
 
Judges said The Co-operative “walks the walk” when it comes to sustainability, and praised the retailer for “delivering a totally sustainable business model”.
 
The Co-operative is leading the way as a sustainable retailer with the launch of its groundbreaking Ethical Plan earlier this year.  Having cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 35% since 2006, it has pledged to go carbon neutral by 2012.
 
All of The Co-operative’s own-brand fresh and frozen chicken and turkey is produced, as a minimum, to its higher-welfareElmwood standards, and all its premium own-brand fresh chicken is Freedom Food free-range accredited. 
 
Sales of Fairtrade products, which guarantee a minimum price and a better deal for growers in developing countries, have almost tripled over the past three years at The Co-operative, as the retailer takes Fairtrade to the next level with further product conversions planned.
 
Peter Marks, Group Chief Executive, The Co-operative Group, said: “This award recognises the hard work of everyone within The Co-operative, working with our suppliers to deliver on our social goals and provide value for our customers in a responsible way.” 
 

Contact Information:

Adele Mandy
The Co-operative Group
Assistant Public Relations Manager
Tel: 0161 226 3591
Email: adele.mandy@co-operative.coop