Retail co-operatives spread the word across the UK

Thousands of co-operative retail stores across the country will be celebrating this year’s Co-operatives Fortnight.

Thousands of co-operative retail stores across the country will be celebrating this year’s Co-operatives Fortnight.

Through retail co-operatives that are members of the Co-operative Retail Trading Group, which has a reach of over 5,000 food stores, the Co-operatives Fortnight theme of local, loved and trusted will be highlighted.

Over 20 shelf-talkers, pictured above, will be on display with popular products produced under The Co-operative brand in stores. Shoppers will read why its products are loved by highlighting some big award wins; they will also see why products should be trusted, which will highlight welfare or ethical standards; and visitors in stores will also view messages about how initiatives have improved local communities.

As well as a focus on running in-store promotions to help customers choose co-operative, retail societies will be running events for members and the general public and helping raise awareness of Co-operatives Fortnight among colleagues.

The Co-operative Group will be hosting a family fun day following the Fortnight on July 7th at Chester Racecourse. The community event will host cooking demonstrations, a sports zone, music performances and attractions for children. (See more online: www.co-operativememberevents.coop)

Midcounties is hosting a community fun day in Warwick on June 23rd, which will feature actor Alan Halsall, known as Coronation Street’s Tyrone Dobbs. To mark the start of the Fortnight, St Nicholas Park will host the event with games, entertainment and circus acts. (See midcounties.coop for more details)

Hundreds of Midlands Co-operative members will be joining Fortnight celebrations at Co-operative Congress in Cardiff. Nine coach points across the region will take people to learn more about co-operatives and enjoy family-friendly activities at the SWALEC Stadium.

Chelmsford Star Co-operative will be hosting a shopping evening, which will introduce customers and members to local Essex products available in the society’s stores. Tastings from beer and wine to ice cream and bacon will take place on July 4th from 6pm at the Quadrant department store on Moulsham Street.

In the run-up to the Fortnight, Lincolnshire Co-operative has been engaging staff so they can help spread the word to members and customers. Chief Executive Ursula Lidbetter says: “We’ve already been out and about to different locations with our co-op hearts, and we’ll be calling at more over the next few weeks including our local producers, schools we work with and other co-ops in the area.”

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