Ethical Group must lead the field — Hurrell

Co-operative Food Retail Managing Director Tim Hurrell

June 29 2010

The Co-operative Group reiterated its commitment to being industry pacesetters in the fields of ethical sourcing and food production at the society’s recent annual general meeting in Manchester.

Replying to a question submitted by the Wales Region, Food Retail Managing Director Tim Hurrell explained that the ‘Good with Food’ advertising campaign had highlighted the benefits of ground-breaking ethical initiatives such as Fairtrade, the Group’s British sourcing policy, Elmwood standard chicken, free range eggs and the reduction of additives.

Added Mr Hurrell: “Competitors continually copy our efforts, so in effect, you never really ‘get there’. To continue to lead the field, we have to continue to innovate and do so in a way that’s relevant to customers.

“Our role is to continue to take a strong leadership role in food and ethical matters and support local communities by providing thriving shops which provide employment and food within walking distance as one of our key ethical strands.”

Delegates were also told that there will be no moves to develop an internet grocery service until the integration of the Somerfield stores is completed.

And, even then, reported Mr Hurrell, the Group might not wish to follow the example set by grocery giants Tesco, Sainsburys and Asda, who have all had an online offer in place for over ten years.

The Group’s food supremo was responding to a call from the North Region for the Group to investigate internet shopping options. He stated that customers’ needs were already changing and it could be that mobile phones would be used more frequently to order shopping in future years.

He said an internet food shopping proposition would require a major investment in people, stores, technology and distribution systems.

“Our immediate priority is to complete the integration of Somerfield,” insisted Mr Hurrell. “A full review will then be completed and we will have the opportunity to pursue new areas of growth.”