Co-op attempts to win back Fairtrade crown

by Jacquie Bowser, Brand Republic 04-Feb-08, 09:00

LONDON - The Co-op plans to stock more Fairtrade-branded products, including tea, and is banning the sale of eggs from caged battery hens as it attempts to re-establish itself as the leading ethical retailer.

The supermarket chain said it would replace all of its own-brand teas with Fairtrade, but would not increase the price.

Further changes include cutting the weight of its wine packaging, banning more pesticides and stocking only free range and organic eggs.

The Co-op said the move comes after a UK-wide consumer poll on ethics found that ethical trading, animal welfare and the environment were key issues for Co-operative customers.

Paul Monaghan, head of ethics and sustainability at Co-op Group, said the changes would help the group reclaim its position as "the number one ethical retailer in Fairtrade".

The Co-op was the first major UK retailer to sell a Fairtrade marked product in its stores in 1994, however supermarkets including Tesco and Waitrose are now selling more Fairtrade products to customers.

Tesco claims to offer 140 lines of Fairtrade products, including tea, honey and rice.

The Co-operative said the move to increase its Fairtrade stock will benefit producers in some of the world's poorest countries, as they will receive a guaranteed price for their crop and will get a Fairtrade premium to invest in projects of their choice.

Comments

Jonathan Godson - 04/02/2008

I'm sure the Coop can regain its crown on this one. Historically it has displayed a far more ethical stance and with the range of Fair Trade goods available (not just tea, chocolate and coffee, but flowers, wine, honey, nuts, herbs, yoghurts, apples, oranges, bananas, rice, pineapples, cotton, coconuts and the list goes on) it should be well positioned to move up a level. Actually I'm surprised at Tesco as the UK's largest food retailer stocking a measly 140 lines out of heaven knows how many sku's in their 24hr super stores. Actually I'm surprised at Tesco as the UK's largest food retailer only selling 140 lines of Fair Trade goods when you consider the range available and the ethical differemnce it can make.

CHRIS ARNOLD - 05/02/2008

I noticed today that Sainsbury's is claiming the Fairtrade crown. It has a poster up in its Holborn store claiming it sells more Fairtrade products than anyone else. However, doesn't define it clearly. There’s little doubt that numbers aren’t the game, time and time again the Co-op comes out as the number one ethical brand in the UK