Co-op Unveils First Store Designed as a Sustainability Showcase

Image: The Co-op's new sustainability showcase store in Soham, Cambridgeshire / Credit: The Co-op

Co-op has reopened its Soham store in East Cambridgeshire after a £1 million refurbishment, unveiling what it calls its first ever “sustainability showcase” branch. Over the course of eight weeks, the convenience store underwent a complete transformation, with a new emphasis on highlighting the often-overlooked efforts that are helping the Co-op move towards its net-zero goals.

Among the standout features are motion-activated lights in the fridges, solar panels placed across the roof, and digital screens that display real-time energy consumption. Outside, new measures have also been introduced to encourage and support local biodiversity.

Even the areas behind the scenes have been reimagined. Staff now have clear signage that explains each sustainability upgrade, from energy-saving fixtures to enhanced recycling initiatives. According to Co-op, the store will also serve as a live testing ground where new green technologies and processes can be trialled, refined, and eventually adopted across its wider network of stores.

Co-op group property and sustainability director Heather Thomas said: “Co-op’s sustainability agenda is driven heavily by our member-owners, it’s a topic that they are passionate about and one they use their voices for to ensure that we as a business are doing the right thing for the planet.

“Our showcase store demonstrates our sustainability efforts in action, through easy-to-digest in-store communications that inform our members and shoppers on the impactful changes we are making in our convenience stores to help us on the important journey to net-zero.”

Thomas added that the store would be a “real game-changer” in allowing society to trial new initiatives, with the ambition to share insights with the broader retail industry.