In pictures: Co-op Food unveils sustainability concept store

Co-op Food has launched a sustainability concept store – located in Soham, Cambridgeshire.

The aim of the convenience store is to showcase to customers and members the work the retailer is doing to reduce its impact on the environment.

From motion activated fridge lights and support for local biodiversity to live energy consumption data displayed on digital screens and solar panels on the roof, the sustainability concept store offers several features related to environmental best practice in business.

What’s in the store?

• Biodiversity spaces with animal habitat homes
• Live energy data on digital screens driving operational efficiencies
• Solar panels on the roof
• Latest artificial intelligence smart sockets & connectivity controls for optimised energy use
• New sustainability messaging throughout the store
• Dedicated colleague learning area
• Recycled materials and smart water systems.

Co-op said it will use the shop as a ‘test, learn and adopt’ environment, meaning it will trial sustainability initiatives here that could then roll out across the retailer’s estate. It echoes the work retailers such as Greggs are doing – using real-life shopping environments to test tech and energy management techniques that, ultimately, they hope to introduce more widely to save money and reduce impact on the planet.

Heather Thomas, group property & sustainability director at Co-op, commented: “Co-op’s sustainability agenda is driven heavily by our member-owners, it’s a topic that they are passionate about and one they use their voices for to ensure that we as a business are doing the right thing for the planet.

“Our showcase store demonstrates our sustainability efforts in action, through easy to digest in-store communications that inform our members and shoppers on the impactful changes we are making in our convenience stores to help us on the important journey to net-zero.”

She added: “It’s our ambition to share these technological insights and best practices with the wider retail industry.”

Behind the scenes at the sustainability concept store there is also messaging about some of the work the retailer has undertaken to reduce its impact on the environment, helping educate staff about the ongoing work in this area.

The store officially opened in its new guise on Friday 15 August. The location is a re-fit of an existing Co-op store, and a second sustainability concept store is planned for the final quarter of 2025.

[image credits: Co-op]