The Grocer Gold Awards 2025: Midcounties Co-op wins Sustainability Initiative of the Year - Corporate

Winner: The Midcounties Co-operative - Empowering Innovation: A member-led sustainability strategy

Midcounties Co-operative’s member-led sustainability strategy achieved “to a whole new level” of environmental impact, our judges said. The panel praised both the ambition and execution of the scheme.

Not only did the retailer slash emissions by installing LEDs and new refrigeration – putting it on track for its 40% reduction target by 2026 – it ‘greened’ the grid through support for renewable community energy generation.

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Its tie-up with Octopus Energy creates enough energy to support over 360 community energy projects. The Community Power Tariff – a collaboration with 100-plus other community generators – is the UK’s only tariff powered by 100% community-generated electricity and creates enough green energy to power 65,000 homes. “It’s fabulous,” said one judge. “It goes one step further than everybody else.”

Shortlisted:

• Booker Group - Fleet decarbonisation and logistics efficiency
• Chetan Wholesalers - Sustainability Initiative
• Co-op - Bramhope net zero transition and low carbon heating store
• Global Brands - Introduction of energy efficiency technologies at the Global Brands distribution centre
• Retail Insight with Southern England Co-op – AI contributing to its ESG goals
• The Midcounties Co-operative - Empowering Innovation: A member-led sustainability strategy