The Co-op has told suppliers to expect delistings as it cuts down on its ranges.
According to a letter seen by The Grocer, the symbol group retailer revealed plans to “simplify” its range due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, warning some would lose shelf space.
The letter said shopper habits and choices have “continually changing throughout the pandemic into today and will undoubtedly continue to do so in the future.”
“One of our key aims is to deliver a simplified, focused range across all of our stores, and as part of this we’re looking at reducing our product range to meet these requirements.”
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As a result, Co-op said it wanted to “drive more accurate replenishment and reduce waste while continuing to deliver key needs in a convenient way to our customers, something which we are already working on with the support of many of our suppliers.
“In order to meet our targets we are reviewing where efficiencies can be made across many of our categories, ultimately meaning that some products will be delisted as we focus on the key needs of our customers.”
The letter continued to reveal “without saying” the retailer would “carry out our review and any delist processes with reasonable notice and will be touch if any changes affect you.”
Currently, Co-op stocks 15,000 SKU’s, with a 79/21 split between FMCG brands and own-label products.
A Co-op spokeswoman said: “As a convenience retailer, we have less shelf space than larger supermarkets so continue to adapt to changing consumer behaviour and consistently review our product offering.
“But we continue to develop and launch new and exciting products, to ensure our range meets the needs and demands of our customers.”
The news comes as the Co-op announced it will be making around 400 head office roles redundant due to the current “tough trading environment”.
Most of the redundancies are expected to be made from within the retailer’s 4,000-strong customer support centre team, which is based at its Angel Square headquarters in Manchester.
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1 Comment. Leave new
It’s OK reducing the range instore but that’s part of the reason some of the shoppers shop locally because they can get some of there shopping without going to the large stores by reducing your range won’t help the customer and could you tell me why the prices are so high in your stores if my memory serves me right coop was all about helping the customers get cheaper prices that’s wot it was set up to do by the Rochdale pioneers