The Co-operative has a very different philosophy to other businesses.
While we are here to grow–so we can invest in the future and our people–we are as interested in making a real difference as we are in making money. So as well as focusing on profit, we always think people and ‘planet’. It is what we mean by our ethical approach. It has been part of our beliefs since we first set up business in 1863, and it runs through every single aspect of our work. Today, we reinvest four times more of our profits in the community than the average high street retailer.
You can find plenty of examples of our good work here, but some highlights include:
Fairtrade
We are one of the UK’s biggest supporters of the Fairtrade movement, guaranteeing a fair price for goods and helping stamp out unfair exploitation of workers.
Environment
We get 99% of our electricity from renewable energy sources and are committed to better packaging, recycling and supporting climate change initiatives. Proud to be the ‘greenest’ name on the high street, we are also the only major retailer to have achieved the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in sustainable development.
Responsible retail
We will not sell products that have been tested on animals, and we do not sell sun tan lotion below Factor 15. We are also the first UK retailer to put Braille onto our own-label medicines.
Community
Wherever we work, we put something back. For example, in 2010 we invested £11.5 million in projects which included making schools greener and supporting ‘grassroots’ sport. We also support international projects, including helping to provide clean water and sanitation to communities in some of the world’s poorest countries.