Principles boost Leeds’ business

LEEDS Co-op has put its continued good trading fortunes down to its focus on customer service and ethical business principles.
Its half-year results show increased turnover and profitability, with a greater focus on Fairtrade ranges and customer information in its stores helping to boost trade.
Total turnover in the half-year was &#163 35.4 million, a 1.5 per cent increase on the same period last year, while trading profit showed an increase of 78 per cent to &#163 1.08 million.
"As a co-op we have the joint aims of offering a convenient, high-quality retail service to members and other customers as well as working towards a better future for us all," said Chief Executive Alan Gill. "We have continued this process over the past half-year and are very glad to see that this strategy is enjoying great success.
"As well as helping Leeds gain its ?Fairtrade City&#039 status we have been involved in the community in a number of other ways. We sponsor Bramley Buffaloes ? the first community-owned rugby club in the UK ? and dozens of our employees have given a day of their time to work on various community and charity activities.
"We also drew the Government&#039s attention to the inequality of the single traveller supplements levied by most major holiday operators."
According to Mr Gill it is difficult for people to avoid the major tour operators. "The only way to change this unfair practice is for Government to challenge the tour operators to change the way they price their holidays.`
The campaign against single supplements will be one of the key issues raised at the Half-Yearly Meeting of members on 29th September at the Civic Hall in Leeds.