Co-op Food

How ethical is Co-operative Food?

Co-operative Food is included in The Good Shopping Guide’s Supermarket Ethical Ratings Table.

The brand has a low Good Shopping Guide ethical score and therefore does not pass our ethical benchmark to be considered an ethical brand.

More information on sustainable supermarkets may be found in The Good Shopping Guide to Ethical Supermarkets. Then, in our Supermarkets Ethical Ratings Table compare it to other stores.

What does Co-operative Food do?

The Co-operative Food was founded in 1844 and branched out into the Co-operative Group in 1863. The Co-operative Food is a Supermarket that supplies a range of fresh food and bakery items. The brand is not only a UK supermarket as it operates in more than 100 countries. The Co-operative group includes co-op brands such as banks, funeral care and Pharmacy’s.

In what areas does Co-operative Food perform well? 

Co-op Food performs well in several areas. The brand has a Better Planet strategy that includes targets for improving its environmental record and provides evidence on the brands progress. The brand also has a large range of Fairtrade, EU and Soil Association certified organic products.

In what areas does Co-operative Food perform poorly? 

Unfortunately, Co-op receives a bottom rating in the Animal Welfare category, due to accusations of animal cruelty against one of its chicken suppliers. Additionally, the Co-operative Group has made a series of donations to the Co-operative Party, resulting in a bottom rating in the Political Donations criterion.

What can Co-operative Food do to improve its score? 

Co-op’s score in The Good Shopping Guide’s Supermarkets Ethical Ratings Table is the result of a calculation of multiple ethical criteria. Even though its below-benchmark score means that Co-op cannot yet be classed as one of the UK’s most sustainable supermarkets, we still encourage it to apply for Ethical Accreditation. The Good Shopping Guide would offer Co-op an assessment and some guidance on how it can improve its score and become one of our most ethical supermarket brands.

Would your Supermarket brand benefit from Ethical Accreditation? The Good Shopping Guide’s Ratings Tables show which other brands within the Ethical Supermarkets sector have received our ethics and sustainability accreditation. If you would like more information about Ethical Accreditation, get in touch or fill out a Free Initial Assessment.