Celebrating a year of impact, innovation and co-operation
Central Co-op is celebrating a standout year of progress, purpose and resilience in 2025 - the United Nations’ International Year of Co-operatives - highlighting how co-operative businesses continue to deliver for people, communities and the planet.
A year of growth and community impact
In 2025, we opened six new food stores in Chorley, Congleton, Mosborough, Shelton Lock, Thornton Cleveleys and Hambleton, including a new eco-store designed to the Society’s highest environmental standards.
Our community fundraising also reached new heights. Colleagues, Members and customers have raised a total £407,445 for Samaritans, supporting life-saving mental health services across the UK and Ireland. At the same time, our annual Toy Appeal collected close to 10,000 brand-new toys, almost tripling last year’s total, ensuring children and families facing hardship did not go without at Christmas.
Leading on climate and green energy
We reinforced our position as a sustainability leader with our climate targets officially validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), confirming alignment with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal and our ambition to reach net-zero by 2040.
The Society expanded its renewable energy programme, generating millions of kilowatt hours of clean electricity through on-site solar and wind power. A landmark long-term agreement with renewable energy specialist RWE will help Central Co-op exceed 40% green-energy self-sufficiency by next year, strengthening energy resilience and reducing costs.
A fairer, more rewarding Membership
2025 also marked the biggest evolution of Membership in Central Co-op’s history. We launched our reimagined Membership proposition and digital app, replacing Member-only pricing with Reward ££s - a cashback-style model that gives Members greater flexibility and control.
Early data shows Members have collectively earned £3.5 million in Reward ££s since launch, with many saving their rewards for key moments like Christmas. The change makes Central Co-op the first UK grocer to move away from tiered pricing - while many are now beginning to follow suit, Central Co-op led the way in ensuring everyone pays the same shelf price while Members earn value back.
Co-operation at home and abroad
During the International Year of Co-operatives, we strengthened collaboration across the movement, welcoming Chelmsford Star Co-operative into the Society. Together with Midcounties Co-operative, we have also secured Member backing to create a new co-operative Society in January 2026, which would create the UK’s largest independent co-operative.
Internationally, Our Malawi Partnership surpassed £1 million in product sales, supporting fair trade, clean water for over 37,000 people, delivering agricultural training to hundreds of farmers, and the planting of nearly 20,000 trees a year through Central Co-op’s Funeral Planting Promise.
Resilience rooted in values
Reflecting on the year, the cyber-attack on Co-op Group’s distribution network tested systems but showcased the strength of the co-operative model - colleagues stepping up, Members staying loyal and communities continuing to be served.
As the International Year of Co-operatives 2025 draws to a close, our focus is firmly on the future - building a new Society rooted in long-term resilience, fairness and co-operation, and creating lasting value for Members, colleagues and communities.