Central Co-op has stopped 8,800 tonnes of food waste from reaching landfill over three years thanks to its partnership with markdown technology provider Retail Insight.
The amount saved equals to nearly 21 million meals and 23,750 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Central Co-op, which runs 257 food stores, partnered with Retail Insight in 2021 in order to tackle food waste and reduce environmental impact across its estate.
It uses Retail Insight’s WasteInsight AI solution and data-driven insights to address the full food waste lifecycle, including forecasting, expiration management, dynamic markdowns and donation opportunities.
This enables Central Co-op to sell more stock at reduced prices, minimise waste and boost in-store productivity, the society said.
“Reducing food waste is a key part of our journey to net zero and reflects our wider commitment to sustainability, fairness and supporting the communities we serve,” said Central Co-op senior operational excellence manager Ben Grove.
“Partnering with Retail Insight has enabled us to make a real difference – cutting carbon, keeping good food in circulation and offering better value to our members and customers. It’s a clear example of how we’re delivering on our co-operative purpose while building a more sustainable future.”
Retail Insight EMEA VP for customer success Kieran O’Brien added: “Central Co-op’s clear commitment to sustainability and innovation shines through in their willingness to embed AI-led waste reduction into store operations, and which has had a remarkable impact. We’re thrilled to be supporting them on this journey and look forward to further progress in the years ahead.”
Central Co-op says it is working closely with Retail Insight to see what additional gains can be made in sell-through, labour efficiency, and inventory accuracy, helping the society deliver on its social and environmental purpose while continuing to provide great value to members and communities.
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