The UK’s biggest-ever consultation exercise will also include ten independent co-ops — Anglia, East of England, Chelmsford Star, Lothian Borders & Angus, Midcounties, Midlands, Penrith, Plymouth & South West, Scotmid and Southern — with all societies saying the results will determine their future retailing strategy.
Following initial engagement with Group members via focus groups and in-depth discussions, a comprehensive questionnaire has been produced in which members will be asked to prioritise issues such as climate change, packaging reduction, healthy eating, food labelling, Fairtrade, animal welfare, sustainable sourcing and community support.
The 2007 poll will seek, for the first time, to recognise that sometimes issues develop and hard choices need to be faced. For example, the drive to reduce “food miles” and reduce carbon dioxide could have real social impacts on third world growers as supply chains are redirected more locally; the push for packing reduction and lightweighting could see retailers move from glass to PVC and create toxicity concerns.
• Full story is printed in the News, published September 4th.
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