Co-op reveals eight exciting new businesses to join its Incubator programme, the Apiary

There is a ‘buzz’ among eight innovative and exciting new suppliers who are the latest to join Co-op’s Incubator programme, known as The Apiary. Following a search for a fresh wave of businesses to work with the leading convenience retailer towards a listing on its shelves, Co-op today reveals the eight businesses whose products will go on to be seen in more than 100 Co-op stores. Co-op’s Apiary programme looks for suppliers with a unique point of difference, who are purpose driven and create social value. In addition to resonating…

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UK’s largest grocery retailers set sights on prefill to take more single use packaging off shelf

Nine of the UK’s largest grocery retailers, with support from UK Governments and WRAP, have recently issued a joint Statement of Intent to explore how reusable packaging could be implemented across their stores and online.  The plan is to offer a system that makes it easy to shop for prefilled* items in stores and online and marks a bold commitment towards a standardised in-store and online system to reduce the amount of single use packaging put on the market, to give shoppers a better experience outside of single use packaging. …

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Co-op Partners with The Hacking Games to Help Prevent Future Cybercrime

New initiative to identify and redirect young cyber talent announced In the wake of the recent cyber-attack it experienced, Co-op has announced a new strategic partnership with The Hacking Games, a UK-based social impact business, to help prevent cybercrime by identifying young cyber talent and channelling their skills into positive, ethical careers. Globally, cybercrime is expected to cost £12 trillion this year, and with 69% of European teenagers having committed some form of cybercrime or online offence, the initiative is part of Co-op’s long-term response to its own cyber-attack where…

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2.5 million under 25s struggling to afford food – Co-op and Barnardo’s call for action

One in five young people – an estimated 2.5 million – have had trouble affording food in the last six months, according to new research from Co-op and Barnardo’s.* Almost a quarter (23%) said they were unable access healthy food in their own communities.** In response, Co-op and Barnardo’s are calling for action to set up a food partnership in every community by 2030.  According to Sustainable Food Places, a food partnership is “a local alliance of organisations and individuals working together to improve their food system.” Most consist of…

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1 in 3 young people have fears about their future daily – Co-op and Barnardo’s step up support

Fears about the future have become part of daily life for more than 1 in 3 (36%) young people across the UK, according to new research* from Co-op and Barnardo’s.  Over 2,000 people aged 10-25 were asked about their hopes and ambitions.* Just 30% said they believe they will achieve their dream job, while more than a quarter (29%) don’t feel positive about their future at all.   Brodey, 19, from Middlesborough, described how easy it is to lose hope:  “People don’t want to better themselves, because they think it’s impossible, or that…

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