our history

2001 – present

<< 2001 2003 2005 2006 Be part of the future and join us today >>

2001

The Co-operative becomes the first retailer to introduce Braille onto its own-brand range of medicines. We are also the first retailer to include Braille labels on some own-brand alcoholic drinks. The move coincided with the launch of our premium whisky and vodka in time for Christmas 2001.

Look at the full-size photograph.

2003

The Co-operative switches all own-brand coffee to Fairtrade, which means an extra £1m each year is returned to coffee farmers in the developing world.

Photograph of the Fairtrade coffee range

2005

The Co-operative Insurance Society head office in Manchester (the CIS Tower) became Europe’s largest vertical solar project, with all three sides of its 25 stories clad in energy-generating solar panels.The Solar Tower provides enough electricity to power 1,000 PCs for a year.

Look at the full-size photograph.

2006

The Co-operative officially became the UK’s most trusted retailer. New research from the international institute AccountAbility and the National Consumer Council shows that The Co‑operative is the most trusted brand in the eyes of consumers, in front of tough competition from the likes of Marks & Spencer, The Body Shop, John Lewis and Tesco.

The Co-operative Group and United Co-operatives logos

2007

Merger successfully completed between The Co‑operative Group and United Co-operatives.

This is our history – be part of our future and join us today.