The Co-operative is to finally join the online food sector, as revealed by Retail Week’s Alex Lawson today.

The Co-operative is to finally join the online food sector, as revealed by Retail Week’s Alex Lawson today.

It’s a brave step for a company which has struggled to keep up with the big boys of food. But as it’s new food boss says, “you have to be prepared to eat your own children, or someone else will”.

Under the previous chief executive Peter Marks, Co-op bought Somerfield which propelled them into the big league and overnight they became the UK’s fifth biggest grocer. But the integration was tough and not quite as easy as Marks first thought it would be.

Now, under new boss Euan Sutherland, the group remains under pressure - especially in banking - but he has clearly told his new food boss to get the business in order. And rightly so, online food needs to happen. And Sutherland has recruited several new directors from other grocers to bring new blood into the mutual and make this happen, who will also bring in new thinking.

The struggle of course is finding a profitable model.

Thankfully, the Co-op hasn’t done a Morrisons and signed an expensive 25-year deal with an etail provider such as Ocado to service its operation - it will run four different delivery trials to find the best option.

This may be treading more softly than Morrisons, but it is right for the business, as it is known as a convenient shop, therefore will struggle to get shoppers to buy a full basket initially.

Of course, the Co-op needs to get its house in order too - it is still seen as too expensive and fresh foods needs some work. It’s an uphill battle, but one that needs to happen.

And with Sutherland’s new team in place, it looks like it is in hand.