Co-op and WiHTL launch gender pay gap toolkit to support employers to take action

17 February 2026

Co-op has today launched a new gender pay gap toolkit in partnership with WiHTL & DiR, designed to help organisations take practical action to close their gender pay gap.

The toolkit is aimed at organisations looking to move beyond reporting and focus on meaningful change. It provides clear guidance on how to identify the drivers of gender pay gaps, develop effective action plans, improve recruitment and progression opportunities, and measure progress over time.

Developed in collaboration with suppliers and partners across Co-op’s supply chain and WiHTL & DiR members, the toolkit brings together practical insight and real-world examples covering areas such as inclusive hiring, menopause and menstrual health support, mentoring and sponsorship, flexible working, parental and carers’ policies, and workplace safety for women.

The toolkit is freely available and is designed to support organisations as they prepare for strengthened gender pay gap action plan requirements expected to come into effect from 2027.

Natasha Hunter, Inclusive Partnerships Lead at Co-op, said:

“We know there is more work to do to close the gender pay gap, and this is not about Co-op telling others what to do. Our aim is to support collaboration across supply chains by sharing practical interventions, learning from organisations that are already taking action, and helping employers turn insight into meaningful change. Working together is essential if we are to accelerate progress towards fairer outcomes for women at work.”

Tea Colaianni MBE, Founder and Chair of WiHTL & DiR, said:

“Publishing gender pay gap data is only the first step. The requirement to publish an action plan rightly shifts the focus from transparency alone to meaningful change. Transparency provides the evidence, action plans set out clear commitments, and accountability ensures progress is monitored and sustained. When all three are applied together, organisations can move beyond compliance and deliver fairer pay outcomes and stronger performance.”

Sarah-Jane Dickinson, Senior Customer Development Manager, Mondelez UK, said:

“We were keen to contribute to the Gender Pay Gap Toolkit because closing the gender pay gap is fundamental to building fair, inclusive workplaces. Sharing practical insight across industries is an important step in helping organisations understand where progress is being made and where more action is needed.”

Co-op will publish a separate Supplier Gender Pay Gap Report later in 2026, bringing together insight from suppliers participating in its responsible sourcing programme.

The Gender Pay Gap Toolkit is available to download here: https://www.co-operative.coop/gender-pay-gap-toolkit

ENDS

About Co-op

Co-op Group is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives, operating across food retail, funerals, insurance and legal services. Owned by 7 million active member-owners, Co-op exists to meet their needs and champion the causes they care about. With more than 2,300 food stores, 800 funeral homes and a wholesale business supplying around 8,000 additional outlets, Co-op employs 53,000 colleagues and generates annual revenues of over £11 billion. It is a recognised leader in ethical business and community-led programmes, creating long-term value for members and communities across the UK.

About WiHTL

WiHTL & Diversity in Retail (DiR) is the only Collaboration Community advancing inclusion, leadership and equitable opportunity across the Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Retail sectors. Through cross-industry collaboration, leadership development programmes, advisory services, research and large-scale events, we support more than 100 Member companies and impact over 4 million employees globally.