Chilled food and fresh flowers guarantees win at industry awards

The Retail Industry Awards has recognised the Co-operative Group for excellence in its chilled goods and fresh flower offerings.

The awards recognise excellence and outstanding achievements across different categories, and are free to enter for grocery retailers of all sizes. In many categories, separate winners are announced for independent retailers and those with multiple outlets.

In the Fresh Flower category, the Co-operative Group’s long term commitment to stocking 100% Fairtrade Roses helped it beat Aldi and Asda to receive the accolade.

“This award recognises all of the all the hard work everyone in the team has undertaken to deliver a great fresh flower range for our customers,” said Nicky Proudlock, buyer for the Group. “Quality is key for TBesthe Co-operative and the investment we have made to support fresh flower quality in the stores has meant business is ‘blooming’.”

The Group also received the judges’ choice award for Chilled Retailer of the Year, for the second year in a row.

Matt Hood, trading director for fresh food at the organisation, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this award and are so pleased to see all our hard work to deliver a truly convenient shopping experience is being recognised by the industry, suppliers and, most importantly, our customers. The Co-op’s chilled range is an area where the focus of our strategy is to really drive innovation, engagement and create exciting products that will appeal and delight our customers, sourced where possible from British farmers and suppliers.

“In the past year, we have invested heavily in 29 chilled categories in order to build customers trust that they will get great value on both Co-op own label and branded lines. This award is a clear endorsement of the steps the business has taken as we seek to become the leading local community retailer across the UK.”

The Co-operative Group was also shortlisted in the multiple categories for Drinks Retailer of the Year (won by Conviviality Retail), Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year (won by Aldi) and Convenience Retailer of the Year (won by Sainsbury’s Local for the fifth year running).

East of England Co-operative was also shortlisted in the Most Sustainable Retailer of the Year (Multiple) category, which was won by Morrisons. Aldi received the Supermarket of the Year award.

The ceremony, which marked the 20th anniversary of the awards, took place at the Grosvenor House hotel in London on 24 September.

View the full list of winners.