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Central England Co-operative set for rebrand

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Central England Co-operative is set to change its name to Central Co-op to better reflect its development and expansion plans, according to recent reports, as its annual sales approach £1 billion for the first time.

Alongside the name change, it will be rolling out new “modern and fresh” branding using the International Co-operative Alliance’s global marque as part of its new identity.


Debbie Robinson, Chief Executive of Central Co-op said, “We’ve adopted the globally recognised marque of co-operation to show our solidarity with the wider co-operative movement as part of our Society-wide rebrand. Key to all of this is a refresh of our identity, we want to be modern, warm, relevant and inclusive so we can welcome the next generation of co-operators to our Society.

“As we look to the future with our purpose in mind of `creating a sustainable Society for all`, we continue to invest in our Society and have explored a number of options. Following extensive research with Members and customers we’ve taken the decision to update our identity and name.”

The rebrand rollout across Central Co-op’s trading estate will take place as part of an ongoing regeneration plan for its 400-plus sites across funeral homes and food stores, reports stated. In the last 18 months, it has opened nine new stores and regenerated 63 of its existing estate.

The group’s upcoming new openings in Eastham (4 November) and Sawbridgeworth (11 November) will be the first of its food stores to receive the new look branding.

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Indies: It’s criminal police and government turn blind eye to shoplifting

Independent retailers are demanding tougher police action, more bobbies on the beat and harsher punishments as shoplifting levels reach an all-time high, a new survey reveals.

A whopping ninety-one per cent of respondents to a survey conducted by the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) called for more police patrols on streets, while a similar number - 90 per cent - said that shoplifters should be handed harsher sentences.

Seven out of 10 respondents (72 per cent) said their stores had experienced shoplifting, break ins and damage to property, while they and their staff had been physically or verbally threatened.

Just under half of respondents (47 per cent) said they and their employees had been threatened or had suffered abuse and violence when asking for proof of age ahead of selling an age-restricted product.

Forty-four per cent reported that they and their staff had faced abuse or violence because they had refused to make a proxy sale – selling an age restricted product to a customer buying for a minor.

The results of the Fed’s survey came as new figures from the Office of National Statistics revealed that shoplifting was at a record high, with almost half a million offences recorded last year.

According to the ONS, 469,788 offences were logged by forces in the year to June 2024 – a 29 per cent increase on the previous 12 months.

The ONS added that this figure was the highest since records began – in March 2003.

“Inadequate responses from the police and a slap on the wrist for offenders means that shoplifting is soaring, and offenders are becoming more aggressive and brazen,” said Fed National President Mo Razzaq.

“From the responses we received, it is clear that real action is needed by police, by courts and by the government to stem the overwhelming tide of crime against retailers and their staff. Everyone deserves to feel safe at work and for their businesses to be protected against criminals.

“Fed members are also sending a clear message that one of the catalysts for verbal and physical abuse in stores is asking for proof of age before selling an age restricted product. If the government presses ahead with its plans to phase out smoking and vaping through a progressive ban to gradually end the sale of tobacco products across the country, independent retailers will be subject to even greater levels of violence, abuse and theft.”

Calling for action from the government and not just words, Mr Razzaq continued: “Without effective deterrent, criminals and opportunistic members of the public will continue to commit crimes.”

According to Ministry of Justice statistics, during the year to March 2024, 431 fines were handed out for retail theft under £100, while Home Office statistics for the same period show that 2,252 cautions were accepted for shoplifting.

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