Call for more local sourcing

THE Co-operative Group has announced plans for a new regional distribution centre in the North Midlands, which will complete the overhaul of its food logistics network following its...

Mr Murray, author of the recent discussion document Co-operation in the Age of Google commissioned by Co-operatives UK, was guest speaker at a recent meeting of the National Federation of Progressive Co-operators in London.

He said local sourcing could be improved by providing better training and putting more trust in store managers and added: “Retail societies also need to acquire a better understanding of how production actually works. This is a necessary first step towards improving their distribution systems. 

“A fuller understanding of the role of members and the significance of Fairtrade and compassion in farming would make it clear to employees what co-operation is all about.”

Mr Murray chided the Movement for being slow to adopt new ideas and methods and cited IT technology as a case in point. He also suggested the Movement may be “over-centralised”.

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