Central Co-op has boosted sales, reduced costs and decreased waste through several community initiatives, the convenience chain’s chief executive, Debbie Robinson, has revealed. 

Speaking at the Better Retailing Festival on 14 October, Robinson told attendees: “Never underestimate the power and value you have to the communities you serve.” 

Revealing how Central Co-op’s 400 stores work with communities, she highlighted an adopt-a-school programme. The scheme also attracts future employees. Robinson said: “We’ve worked with primary and secondary schools to get students on work experience and summer jobs. We’ll certainly be calling on them for the busy Christmas period.” 

The group also uses the apprenticeship levy to “give opportunities to those who don’t want to go to university”.  She concluded: “Partnerships with education has helped create an added benefit that we certainly didn’t see coming,” 

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Other changes to stores include adding toilets for customer use, ‘pet parking’ posts, bike repair stations, outdoor seating, tire pressure stations and vehicle charging. All were described as driving strong impulse sales. Solar panels are also delivering 17% of stores’ power needs. 

Elsewhere, Robinson said Central Co-op has invested heavily in frozen food, reducing the wastage associated with the fresh category.  Within food to go, the company has opted for modular units, which allow for stations to be swapped out easily. 

Describing the strategy, the chief executive said it was urgent for local shops to act now to future-proof their sales. 

She added: “Products such as vaping are short-term opportunities, and it won’t be long before the bubble bursts on that. You need to think about areas that are going to be significant to you in helping recover losses in sales.” 

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