Finalists at the Retail Week Awards 2025!

We are thrilled to announce that Central Co-op has been shortlisted in two prestigious categories at the Retail Week Awards 2025:

• Best New Store Award – Small/Medium for our innovative Stanton store in Bury St. Edmunds.
• The American Express Inclusion & Diversity Heroes Award for the outstanding work of our Inclusion Delivery Group (IDG).

The awards ceremony will take place on 20 March 2025 in London, bringing the industry together to celebrate retail excellence.

A trailblazing store in Stanton
Our Stanton store is more than a place to shop - it’s a testament to our commitment to innovation, sustainability and community. Following a £620,000 investment, the store was designed to be energy self-sufficient with solar panels, LED lighting, and advanced refrigeration and air conditioning systems, earning an impressive A+ Energy Performance Certificate rating of -3, making it carbon negative!

As a community hub, the store offers amenities tailored to local needs, including:

• Free EV charging points and bike repair stations
• An inclusive design, ensuring accessibility for all
• Local partnerships supporting food banks, schools and environmental education

Since opening, the store has been embraced by the community, celebrated for its sustainability, inclusivity and innovative approach to retail.

Driving inclusion with the IDG
Our former Inclusion Delivery Group (IDG) has been a transformative force in embedding equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) throughout our Society. Key accomplishments include:

• Establishing five inclusion networks (ENGs):
  • Women - empowHER
  • LGBTQIA+ - Pride
  • Ethnicity - We Are One
  • Under 25s - Next Gen
  • Disability - Ability
• Driving policies that support fertility treatment, pregnancy loss, menopause, and trans and non-binary identities
• Increasing EDI data disclosure rates significantly, enabling better workforce support
• Introduced accessible communication formats, like podcasts in addition to written communications, fostering real engagement and inclusivity

With the support of Diversity in Retail and Rene Carayol MBE, the IDG has fostered a culture of belonging, helping colleagues feel empowered to bring their whole selves to work.

Why this recognition matters
Being finalists in these categories showcases the heart of our mission - to create a sustainable Society for all. We hope to lead the way in innovation and inclusion while making a positive impact on the communities we serve.

Our Stanton store and the IDG are prime examples of what makes Central Co-op special: our people, partnerships and purpose.

We’re immensely proud of these achievements and look forward to the Retail Week Awards in March, where the winners will be crowned.

Thank you to our colleagues, Members and partners for making this possible. Together, we’re shaping a brighter, greener, more inclusive future!