Co-op (Shop)

...plus point about my local Co-op is that it's near to my home, I can actually walk there, if I forget the butter I can pop back or send my daughter (for a fee), I can even assemble a basic list for her to do a small 'bits and bobs' shop should I be tied up in the house. Living in a small village is very pleasing indeed and especially so when you can dispatch your kids to gather forgotten items.
The second most important feature of shopping ...
...also love shopping at the Co-op for the following reasons:

- They are the biggest supporters of Fairtrade, more so and before any other major supermarket would entertain the idea.
- They tend to integrate their organic products with 'normal' produce, as opposed to others who designate a 'special' area for organic stuff, as if it may be radioactive or something.
- They support the local community by donating cash to local ... more

The biggest plus point about my local Co-op is that it's near to my home, I can actually walk there, if I forget the butter I can pop back or send my daughter (for a fee), I can even assemble a basic list for her to do a small 'bits and bobs' shop should I be tied up in the house. Living in a small village is very pleasing indeed and especially so when you can dispatch your kids to gather forgotten items.
The second most important feature of shopping at my Co-op is I can wander the aisles in the assured knowledge that I will always bump into a friendly face from the area. So what was supposed to be "I'll just be five minutes, I need more butter to mash the potatoes" turns into, upon my return, "Where the hell have you been? Churning the butter?" type of scenario. The downside of bumping into people you know is that wearing your pyjamas with your coat pulled over or donning your dodgy velour tracksuit with ballet pumps combo is most definitely out.

I also love shopping at the Co-op for the following reasons:

- They are the biggest supporters of Fairtrade, more so and before any other major supermarket would entertain the idea.
- They tend to integrate their organic products with 'normal' produce, as opposed to others who designate a 'special' area for organic stuff, as if it may be radioactive or something.
- They support the local community by donating cash to local run schemes, i.e.: Kids Youth Theatre or Wildlife projects.
- The Co-op resembles what I believe shopping should be about, i.e. small scale and sustainable.
- The members gain a share in the Cooperative profits, which means your loyalty is rewarded by receiving a twice yearly cheque to spend in any which way you choose. Within this amount is a share in the profits made by the Cooperative.

More firsts from the Co-op…

- Their carrier bags are the first biodegradable ones out there.
- In 1985 the co-op announced that no own-brand toiletries or household products, or their ingredients, will be tested on animals - even though the law allowed the practice to continue.
- The Cooperative bank was the world's first to cut ties with unethical companies and organisations.
- In 1997 the Co-op alongside Greenpeace introduces the world's first biodegradable credit card.
- The Co-op was the first to introduce Braille to own brand medicines.
- Since 2003 all own brand coffee is Fairtrade, meaning an extra £1m, each year, goes back to the coffee farmers.
- 'Naked' cucumbers! Plastic wrapped cucumbers are a thing of the past in the co-op saving untold packaging waste.
- Plays some pretty good music over the sound system (In my store anyway).

Look at the Co-op values:

Co-operatives are not about making big profits for shareholders, but creating value for their members. Our top priority is to provide the best possible services for our members and to invest in the communities where they live. This gives co-operatives a unique character and influences what we stand for.

And now compare with Tesco:

Our core purpose is to create value for customers to earn their lifetime loyalty.
Our success depends on people. The people who shop with us and the people who work with us.
If our customers like what we offer, they are more likely to come back and shop with us again.

Thanks Tesco, but I think you meant to say:

• Our core purpose is to build as many stores as possible as to eliminate the possibility of choice, only then can you earn the customers lifetime loyalty through aggressive expansionism. Secondary to this is our total disregard for local food sourcing and indeed national, and last but not least, we are proud to have the majority of the market (up to 50% in some areas) We call these areas 'Tescovilles'. Hurrah for us and hurrah for our billions of pounds profits year after year.

All good so far but there are some bad points:

- Sometimes works out more expensive on major brands. However, own label products are value for money and comparable quality.
- Shops are a bit haphazard and are generally not uniform across the country. Although this is something the Co-op are working on. Gone are the days of open sacks of spuds strewn across the floor, a liability case waiting to happen. Market research shows that, as consumers, we want sameness and uniformity. Personally I don't.
- No butchers in store any longer. This was a big blow for the Co-op as many qualified butchers lost their jobs.
- Complaints of grumpy staff, well I don't see anyone in Tesco doing cartwheels either. To address the issue at my local store though; 20% of staff that work there are miserable outside of work too.

In all honesty I don't use any supermarket for what you would call a 'big' weekly shop as I buy all vegetables, meat, eggs and milk from local farm box schemes. On average I'll spend around £30 per week in the Co-op for essential food items to compliment my veg boxes. Generally the Co-op will keep me in curry paste, dog food (not a supplement to my veg box), washing powder (ditto), butter, Fairtrade rose wine, beer, cereal (they have a great organic kids cereal called Gorilla Munch), flour and assorted sundries of no interest to anyone. Sometimes there are deals on white goods, small kitchen appliances, garden supplies and seasonal plants. Generally they are just plonked anywhere that'll house them. I do like this scheme as it always changes and you'll always be surprised when something new arrives in store, god I need to get out more!

So four stars it is for the Co-op only because today more than ever we demand perfection, people don't want to be shopping in dated and down-trodden stores. In certain shops I'm afraid this is the case. Co-op, take a leaf from other less ethical retailers on their marketing strategies and store layout but keep your ideals and the way you have always done business. Dealing with this superficial aspect of shopping may win you more customers.

On another level if any retailer should deserve to have a second chance, it should be the Co-op. Hopefully we will see Co-ops taking the places of Tescos up and down the country. Where profits go to the community and the members; i.e.; you and me and not squirreled away to unknown shareholders, who'd rather sell their own granny than lose any profits. Where a weekly food shop can actually make a difference to the community you live in. Where shops are actually in the community and not a 15 minute drive away on some barren wasteland or trading estate.

[I have withheld the store location due to the fact that my coordinates can be obtained should any weirdo out there wish to obtain it] Suffice to say I have sampled a range of Co-op stores within a 50 miles radius of my home, sometimes beyond that range on a day out or an excursion. 

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