Two top retail awards for The Co-operative

The Co-operative retained the coveted National Convenience Chain of the Year Award, and was named Fresh Flower Supermarket of the Year, at the annual Retail Industry Awards.

It is the second year running that The Co-operative has won the National Convenience Chain title, at the prestigious awards which recognise excellence across the retail sector.


Pictured (left to right) are David Shrimpton, Editor of Independent Retail News; Tony Evans, National Retail Director of award sponsors Christie & Co; Sean Toal, The Co-operative’s Director of Food Retail Operations; Debbie Robinson, The Co-operative’s Director of Food Retail Marketing; Mark Hale, The Co-operative’s Director of Food Retail IS; and awards compere and comedian Jason Manford.

Judges praised The Co-operative for delivering “consistently strong results”, while at the same time completing its acquisition of Somerfield. They were also impressed by its redeveloped product range, promotions on healthy foods and “superb” new store formats.

One judge commented about The Co-operative: “They are doing something brave and interesting, bringing a good food offer into a community that wouldn’t ordinarily have the opportunity to go ‘shopping with a trolley’. Their emphasis on community is just right.”

Judges who named The Co-operative as Fresh Flower Supermarket of the Year praised its “strong all-round performance” in the flower category, with impressive sales growth on the foundation of a “healthy commitment to its supply base”.

Tim Hurrell, The Co-operative Group’s Managing Director - Food Retail, said: “We are delighted to have won two such prestigious awards. To retain the National Convenience Chain of the Year title is a fantastic achievement, and to be named Fresh Flower Supermarket of the Year is another great result. These awards are a fitting endorsement of the dedication and hard work by so many people at The Co-operative.”