Fred Moss / 12 September 2016 / Categories: Food & Drink

The Cooperative

I used to love my local village coop in Countesthorpe, Leicester. As you can read from the description above the brand prides itself on being well let's say more ethical than perhaps some of it's competitors.

I've been shopping in this store for years, I am on first name terms with most of the staff and have enjoyed being greeted as more of a friend than a customer when I visit. Over the years I have seen some of the things I buy regularly disappear in favour of what seems like more processed, higher profit margin options. Recently as another couple of things went by the wayside I asked in store what was happening and was told the staff have no control over the ordering even though they of course were best placed to know what their customers were buying and wanted. Whilst this conversation was occurring a few other customers chimed in and said they too were frustrated with lines being dropped and poorer quality, smaller selection fresh food options so I decided to take it upon myself and write to head office.

Firstly I discovered the Coop in the Midlands (green logo) is a different company to the Cooperative. When I finally got through to the right place and despite having a long phone chat with Jenny Burrows who seemed to empathise completely and agree the outside ordering system didn't really make sense for a village store over the phone, when I got her email reply after investigation all she could do was offer alternatives to the items I wanted reinstating. So the outcome was absolutely no joy or resolution.

I did tell her I wouldn't be back in there, unfortunately my principles don't go far enough to

boycott them completely as the only other alternative is Tesco and well, we all know they are not exactly squeaky clean (only this week 3 Tesco execs were arrested and charged in connection with their accounting black hole) I went into the Coop today to grab a drink, the Super Pink, which FYI is average, very thin in texture and tastes primarily of beetroot. The difference now is I use the coop only when it is absolutely essential and convenient instead of loyally supporting them as I have done for years.

I am giving regular business now to a small independent store in the village & I am pleased to do this as when I told the man behind the counter what I needed he ordered a whole box in specially for me.