The Co-op

Although we don't use them a lot we quite like the Co-Op. When touring there is usually a Co-Op in places other food retailers aren't and they have a consistent standard. The scheme mentioned by Nellie takes over for the cash reward that built up on your loyalty card. (by the way any balance has to be spent, or donated, by the end of December this year) Its a similar scheme as operated by Waitrose where you get a selection of vouchers each week and you can select two. 

David

Here in small town Cornwall the Co op is dying on its feet. Tesco, Lidl and M&S foods are here in town and three other big supermarkets will deliver from further away. The Co-op can’t compete on price or range, and their petrol station and associated store has just been sold to Asda. 

We have a smallish Co op in our little seaside town which we only use occasionally but they have had some silly offers on recently.  For those with a loyalty card - during the Euros - two frozen items (fish fingers and breaded haddock), oven chips and a 4-pack of beer - all for £5 !!!! Says a lot about eating habits during football tournaments. 

Really, I’m surprised. There are 2 Co-ops where I live - 1 large and 1 small and they both seem to be thriving. The holiday makers bring a lot of business as well as local trade.

As David said, the Co-ops are a blessing in remote areas and there are parts of the Scottish Highlands and Islands that depend on them. 

Asda bought 132 stores and petrol stations from Co op last year and the stores are now trading as Asda Express. That has happened here and is the sort of Coop decline we are seeing where I am. And Aldi is looking for a site.

For many years the Co-op has been rationalising its business to concentrate on its more profitable shops along with those which best serve the community - that’s very often going to be the same thing. No doubt they also know they can’t compete with the 'big boys' when they are in the same location.

You may have lost Co-op outlets but you’ve not lost them altogether.

My OH is signed up for new offers. He tends to pop into our local Co op daily, topping up the odd item like milk and mushrooms. He gets lots of special offers, so we seem to do well out of Co op. Co op is thriving around us, lots of local shops, some small, some quite large. Not always the cheapest option, but good for in between a big shop elsewhere.

I can remember queuing to collect the co op dividend and of course my brother, sisters and myself had to memorise the "Divi Number" for when we ran an errand there and I can still remember it