Fairtrade Palestinian olive oil, “naked” cucumbers devoid of shrinkwrap, thinner wine bottles, and solar panels on its insurance head office in Manchester are some of the ways Co-operative Group is enhancing its ethical and environmental credentials.
Many of its rivals must gauge the tricky trade-offs between the costs and benefits of enhancing customer loyalty by upping their environmental game. But the Co-operative Group at least has the advantage of knowing it is retailing – rather than preaching – to the converted.
