Debbie Robinson, Director of Food Retail Marketing
We are The Co-operative Group. We have been proudly serving Scotland for over 140 years. We are the fourth largest food retailer in Scotland, but have one of the largest spread of stores from the remotest areas of the Islands to the very South of Scotland.
The theme of our business is "Good with Food". It is a philosophy that defines the way the business and its people operate. It has generated a passion for the products and also for the business. It reflects the quality of our products, the care we take in terms of provenance and our ethical approach to retailing.
Our long-term commitments to health and well-being, the importance of regional produce and strong animal welfare credentials whilst also focusing on climate change and wider environmental concerns place us in a strong position to support the Retailers' Charter.
We are the only food retailer to have implemented an Ethical Food Policy. This was the largest consumer poll on ethics, with over 100,000 respondents. Respondents were primarily concerned with ethical trading, animal welfare, the environment and food quality, diet and health. This reflects our commitment to listening to our members and customers and fits in well with Scottish Government aims.
We welcome the Retailers' Charter as a way to frame retailers' participation in helping the Scottish Government to implement the National Food and Drink policy. We believe that supporting the growth of the food and drink industry in Scotland will be of considerable benefit economically, and also from a community and social perspective. It is incumbent upon all parts of the food chain in Scotland, and the Government and relevant stakeholders to work together to create a healthier, more successful and sustainable society under the auspices of the national food and drink policy, and we are proud to be able to be an integral part of this process.