Co-op Group scoops prizes for retail loyalty

The retailer won the top honour at the Loyalty Magazine Awards

The Co-op Group and its CEO Steve Murrells have been recognised at the Loyalty Magazine Awards, which celebrate excellence, innovation and best practice in the loyalty industry across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. 

At a virtual awards ceremony on Tuesday, 16 June, the Group won the top honour – Organisation of the Year 2020. 

And Mr Murrells was named Industry Personality of the year.

Putting forward the nomination of Mr Murrells and the Co-op Group, one of the judging panel said: “We have all talked about how ‘Loyalty’ is slowly being redefined, becoming more emotional, more community orientated, and addressing environmental concerns.

“I think we are going back to some quite old fashioned and quite beautiful ideas – of communities of like-minded people joining and acting together for their mutual benefit and of consumers benefiting from their loyalty.” 

Accepting the award, Mr Murrells said: “It is fantastic for us to be recognised in this way because it re-enforces my view that we are delivering on the things our members expect of us. 

“But this isn’t my award. This award is a credit to the amazing day-in day-out efforts of 60,000 Co-op colleagues, and our 4 million members, many of whom have stepped up to the plate in these difficult times. 

“I am so proud to lead these colleagues and members who believe in a different way of doing business.”