Co-op Food

{{short description|British brand of consumer co-operative supermarkets}}

{{about||general information on organisations of this name|Food cooperative|the Canadian chain of co-operative supermarkets|Federated Co-operatives}}

{{Infobox company

| name = Co-operative Group Limited (Food)

| logo = 100px

| logo_caption = Logo used since 2016

| image = Co-op Old Street, Shoreditch, rebranding launch by The Co-operative Group.jpg

| image_caption = A rebranded Co-op Food shop in Old Street, London

| trading_name = Co-op

| type = Groceries retailer

| owner = The Co-operative Group

| location = Manchester, United Kingdom

| foundation = 23 July 1850

| locations = 2,564 (2022)

| revenue = {{increase}} £7.8 billion (2022){{cite web |title=Co-op Annual Report & Accounts for 2022 |url=https://assets.ctfassets.net/5ywmq66472jr/5DRE1mfB6MtqZUj4k45AyC/2e10a54a4cef43785a55f50e1da7f025/Co-op_Annual_Report_and_Accounts_2022.pdf |publisher=Co-op Group|page=22 |access-date=20 April 2023}}

| net_income = {{decrease}} £139 million (2022)

| website = {{official website}}

}}

Co-op is a UK supermarket chain and the brand used for the food retail business of The Co-operative Group, one of the world's largest consumer co-operatives. As the UK's fifth largest food retailer, Co-op operates nearly 2,400 food stores. It also supplies products to over 6,000 other stores, including those run by independent co-operative societies, through its wholesale business, Co-op Wholesale.{{Cite web |title=Can the UK become a nation of co-operators? - Co-op unveils bold new brand platform |url=https://www.co-operative.coop/media/news-releases/can-the-uk-become-a-nation-of-co-operators-co-op-unveils-bold-new-brand |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=www.co-operative.coop}}{{Cite web |title=Who we are |url=https://www.co-operative.coop/who-we-are |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=www.co-operative.coop}}

Co-op is owned by millions of UK consumers and employs 56,000 people, with an annual turnover of more than £11 billion. The organisation is known for its involvement in social and community programmes.

Before reintroducing the Co-op brand in 2016, the group used "The Co-operative" branding, which some consumers' co-operative societies in the UK continue to use, while others have adopted their own branding.

In 2024, Co-op introduced a new brand platform, "Owned by You. Right By You." This was developed in response to findings that over 50% of consumers did not fully understand the concept of a co-operative or mutual business.

Operations

File:Ca 1950 Co-op London store (12541937353).jpg ca 1950.]]

File:1995 - Co-op Kirton, Lincolnshire store (12542301374).jpg, Lincolnshire in 1995.]]

File:Supermarket - geograph.org.uk - 927253.jpg, West Yorkshire in 1990s–2000s branding.]]

File:Lawnswood 2.jpg, Leeds with pre 2016 branding.]]

The "Co-op" brand is used by over 3,500 shops owned by various societies which make up the co-operative movement, including the Central England Co-operative. A number of co-operative societies including the Lincolnshire Co-operative prefer to use the 1992 'cloverleaf version' of The Co-operative brand. In May 2016, The Co-operative Group reverted to the use of its 1968 Co-op cloverleaf branding.{{citation| title=About Us | url=http://www.co-operative.coop/about-us/|website=Co-operative.coop |access-date= 23 May 2016}}

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 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 McColl's.

The majority of products sold in "Co-op Food" shops are sourced collectively through Federal Retail Trading Services although stocking decisions and pricing are determined by the individual businesses.

=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. The table below indicates how many food shops each co-operative society operates.

Co-operative Society	Number of Outlets	Version of The Co-operative brand
class="wikitable"
The Co-operative Group	2,774	2016 cloverleaf
Central England Co-operative	261	ICA logo
The Midcounties Co-operative	234	ICA logo
Southern Co-operative	213	own version
Scotmid	206	ICA logo
East of England Co-operative Society	132	own version
Lincolnshire Co-operative	93	1993 cloverleaf
Chelmsford Star Co-operative	42	ICA logo {{Cite web\|url=https://www.chelmsfordstar.coop/international-co-op-logo-comes-to-our-food-stores/\|title=International Co-op logo comes to our food stores\|first=Kev\|last=Bennett\|date=6 September 2023\|website=Chelmsford Star Co-operative}}
Heart of England Co-operative	33	2008 version
Channel Islands Co-operative Society	26	ICA logo
Radstock Co-operative Society	16	own version
Tamworth Co-operative Society	12	2008 version
Clydebank Co-operative Society	6	1993 cloverleaf
Allendale Co-operative Society	1	own version
Coniston Co-op	1	own version / 1993 cloverleaf
Grosmont Co-operative Society	1	own version

= Work with Amazon =

In 2021, the Co-op started selling food online through Amazon. The move was criticised by the GMB union, which has been campaigning for improved worker rights at Amazon.{{Cite web|date=2021-09-16|title=Co-op faces criticism as it begins selling groceries via Amazon|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/sep/16/co-op-faces-criticism-as-it-begins-selling-groceries-via-amazon|access-date=2021-09-18|website=The Guardian|language=en}}

=Distribution=

File:Coop lorry in Cockfosters March 2020.jpg]]

Co-op 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 Co-operative Federal Retail Trading Services. The Co-operative Group manages all of its own warehouses and most of its own transport operations, although several distribution centres use third party logistics partners to manage their transport operations. Supply Chain Logistics Head Office is co-located at the Birtley Distribution Centre.

Co-op Supply Chain Logistics has 9 regional distribution centres (RDCs) and 3 smaller local service centres (LSCs) servicing the outer extremities of the UK. The Coventry-based National Distribution Centre (NDC) supplies all distribution centres with slower moving ambient lines and tobacco.

Depot Name	Location	Products	Transport Operation
class="wikitable"
Birtley RDC \| Birtley, County Durham	Ambient, Frozen (picked in Newhouse), Chilled, Meat and Produce	Co-op SCL
Andover RDC & Frozen Hub \| Andover, Hampshire	Ambient, Frozen, Chilled, Meat and Produce	GXO Logistics
Avonmouth RDC \| Avonmouth, Bristol	Ambient, Frozen (picked in Andover), Chilled, Meat and Produce	GXO Logistics
Castlewood RDC	Mansfield, Nottinghamshire	Ambient, Frozen (picked in Lea Green), Chilled, Meat and Produce	Co-op SCL
Lea Green RDC & Frozen Hub	St Helens, Merseyside	Ambient, Frozen, Chilled, Meat and Produce	GXO Logistics
Newhouse RDC & Frozen Hub \| Lanarkshire, Scotland	Ambient, Frozen, Chilled, Meat and Produce	Co-op SCL
Thurrock RDC \| West Thurrock, Essex	Ambient, Frozen (picked in Biggleswade), Chilled, Meat and Produce	Co-op SCL
Biggleswade RDC & Frozen Hub	Biggleswade, Bedfordshire	Ambient, Frozen, Chilled, Meat and Produce	Co-op SCL
Coventry NDC \| Coventry, West Midlands	Slow Moving Ambient and Tobacco	Eddie Stobart
Dalcross LSC \| Inverness, Scotland	Local service centre for Northern Scotland	Co-op SCL
Carrickfergus LSC	County Antrim, Northern Ireland	Local service centre for Northern Ireland	Co-op SCL
Plymouth LSC	Plymouth, Devon	Local service centre for South Western England	Co-op SCL
Wellingborough RDC	Wellingborough, Northamptonshire	Ambient, Frozen (picked in Biggleswade), Chilled, Meat and Produce	Wincanton

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 spent at The Co-operative Food. Points are converted into dividend at a rate agreed annually by the Board.[http://www.co-operative.coop/membership/points-and-offers/pao/food/ The Co-operative Membership] The Co-operative Group (retrieved 20 August 2009)

In September 2016, The Co-operative Group launched a new membership, decreasing the amount members earn from 5% to 2%, and increasing the amount spent on charity from 1% to 2%.

In July 2024, The Co-operative rebranded their slogan to "Owned By You. Right By You", placing greater emphasis on member ownership.{{Cite web |title=VCCP London - Co-op 'Owned By You, Right By You' |url=https://www.vccp.com/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=VCCP London |language=en-GB}}

Product ranges

Co-op Food ranges currently are ({{as of|September 2023|lc=y}}):

Co-op – standard own brand range
Irresistible – premium food and drink
Free From – suitable for customers with food allergies
Gro – Plant-based own brand range
Honest Value – Low price range

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 as a lower priced range.{{cite magazine |magazine=The Grocer |title=Co-op cuts branded and own-label prices and adds new Honest Value range |url=https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/prices-and-promotions/co-op-cuts-branded-and-own-label-prices-and-adds-new-honest-value-range/649573.article |first=Ronan |last=Hegarty |date=21 October 2020}}

Animal welfare

The Co-op has faced ongoing media scrutiny over animal welfare issues in its supply chain. In 2021, undercover footage from a salmon supplier revealed fish being improperly stunned, leading to many being killed while still conscious.{{Cite web |date=2021-02-13 |title=Waitrose and the Co-op confirm they've suspended supplies from Western Isles salmon supplier, Scottish Salmon Company. |url=https://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/business/waitrose-and-the-co-op-confirm-theyve-suspended-supplies-from-western-isles-salmon-supplier-scottish-salmon-company-3134170 }} Later that year, an investigation into chicken farms supplying the Co-op documented birds dying of thirst, carcasses left among the living, and overcrowded sheds where cannibalism and ammonia burns were reported.{{Cite news |last=Dalton |first=Jane |date=2021-07-31 |title=Chickens died of thirst and dead birds left to rot at suppliers to Tesco, Sainsbury, Lidl and KFC |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/chicken-tesco-sainsbury-sainsbury-kfc-lidl-aldi-welfare-b1893070.html |access-date=2024-05-30 |work=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=13 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213194219/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/chicken-tesco-sainsbury-sainsbury-kfc-lidl-aldi-welfare-b1893070.html |url-status=live }}

In 2022, footage from a duck farm producing eggs for the Co-op showed workers swinging ducks by their necks and disposing of dead animals in bins.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-09 |title=New Duck Farm Investigation Reveals Abuse, Gaps in Biosecurity Protocols |url=https://sentientmedia.org/duck-farm-investigation-biosecurity-lapse/ |access-date=2024-05-30 |language=en-US}} A December 2023 report from a farm supplying the Co-op and other British retailers showed workers swinging ducks by their necks and slamming them into drawers.{{Cite news |last=Dalton |first=Jane |date=2023-12-24 |title=Ducks destined for Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury swung by necks and slammed into drawers in 'harrowing' video |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/duck-tesco-waitrose-sainsbury-morrisons-cruelty-b2455575.html |access-date=2024-05-19 |work=The Independent |language=en}}

In 2023, undercover footage at a Lincolnshire Co-op supplier showed chickens being crushed to death, with some birds suffering severe injuries including broken legs.{{Cite web |last1=Farhoud |first1=Nada |last2=Mann |first2=Sebastian |date=2023-06-20 |title=Chickens 'crushed to death' on Lincs farm that supplies Tesco |url=https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/chickens-crushed-death-machinery-lincolnshire-8535975 |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=Lincolnshire Live |language=en |archive-date=19 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519190120/https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/chickens-crushed-death-machinery-lincolnshire-8535975 |url-status=live }} In August 2023, chickens at multiple farms supplying the Co-op were reported to be collapsing from heat stress, struggling to breathe, and living in unsanitary conditions where they were left lying in their own waste.{{Cite news |last=Dalton |first=Jane |date=2023-08-06 |title=Secret footage reveals chickens collapsing in agony at farms supplying 'ethical' retailer Co-op |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/coop-chicken-farm-ethical-welfare-b2387157.html |access-date=2024-05-19 |work=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=6 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240406132211/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/coop-chicken-farm-ethical-welfare-b2387157.html |url-status=live }} A BBC report in February 2024 found that 37% of chickens sold by the Co-op had chemical burns linked to ammonia exposure from waste.{{Cite news |date=2024-02-29 |title=Millions of store chickens suffer burns from excrement |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-68406398 |access-date=2024-05-19 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

In March 2025, the Co-op announced that it would require all prawns in its supply chain to be electrically stunned prior to slaughter by 2027, following campaigns by animal welfare organizations advocating for improved standards. It also stated that it would stop the use of eyestalk ablation, a practice involving the crushing or removal of the eyestalks of female prawns to stimulate egg production. The decision came after several other UK supermarkets, including Waitrose, Tesco, Marks & Spencer, and Sainsbury's, introduced similar policies on crustacean welfare.{{cite news |last1=Onita |first1=Laura |title=Co-op to stop selling suffocated prawns following welfare outcry |url=https://www.ft.com/content/8f19519e-9f3b-4b03-9535-2906b159909f |access-date=29 May 2025 |work=Financial Times |date=11 March 2025}}

Delivery robots

File:Co-op delivery robots (50749382358).jpg

Starting in March 2020 Starship Technologies delivery robots can deliver goods directly to customers from stores in Cambourne, Milton Keynes and Leeds areas of the UK.{{cite news

| url= https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/co-op-expands-robot-deliveries-to-second-store/591944.article

| title= Co-op expands robot deliveries to second store

| first= Steve

| last= Farrell

| date= 2019-04-01

| work= The Grocer

| access-date= 2020-06-14

| archive-date= 12 August 2019

| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190812132259/https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/co-op-expands-robot-deliveries-to-second-store/591944.article

| url-status= live

}}

{{cite news

| url= https://www.verdict.co.uk/robot-delivery-service-starship/

| title= Robot delivery service comes to first UK town centre

| first = Lucy| last = Ingham

| date= 2020-03-16

| work= Verdict

| access-date= 2020-06-14}}

{{Cite press release|title=Milton Keynes now has 'world's largest autonomous robot fleet' as Starship expand further|url=https://www.mkfm.com/news/local-news/milton-keynes-now-has-worlds-largest-autonomous-robot-fleet-as-starship-expand-further/|access-date=2020-11-06|via=MKFM|work=Starship Technologies|archive-date=13 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613211327/https://www.mkfm.com/news/local-news/milton-keynes-now-has-worlds-largest-autonomous-robot-fleet-as-starship-expand-further/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=2022-05-17 |title=Robot supermarket delivery trial in Cambridgeshire |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-61471989 |access-date=2022-05-20}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-62180981.amp |title=Robot grocery delivery service to expand in Northamptonshire |work=BBC News |date=2022-07-15}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-62007675 |title=Are we falling in love with robots? |first=Michael |last=Dempsey |work=BBC News |date=2022-08-08 |archive-date=1 December 2022 |access-date=1 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201140612/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-62007675 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Events |first=UKi Media & |date=2022-12-01 |title=Starship and Co-op to provide autonomous grocery deliveries in Leeds |url=https://www.parcelandpostaltechnologyinternational.com/news/delivery/starship-and-co-op-to-provide-autonomous-grocery-deliveries-in-leeds.html |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=Parcel and Postal Technology International |language=en-GB}}