The Co-operative Group is the UK’s biggest mutual retailer. As well as running food retail and wholesale operations, is the country’s largest funeral business and probate provider. Retail Week provides news, analysis, features and opinion about the Co-op and the grocery sector.
The UK competitions regulator has provisionally accepted the takeover of Southern Co-operative by The Co-operative Group.
Co-op’s first-half profits may have slipped, but the retailer is optimistic about its future. Chief executive Kate Allum and chief financial officer Rachel Izzard discuss growth prospects, company culture and the Southern Co-op deal.
Losses deepened at Co-op in the first half as investment into promotions to drive trade and store improvements weighed on profitability.
Convenience specialist the Co-op has linked up with data specialist eStoreBrands to launch a dedicated analytics platform to drive category growth in quick commerce.
The Co-op Group’s proposed acquisition of the Southern Co-op has been flagged as potentially harmful to competition in the sector, according to the CMA.
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