OurCoop, the UK’s largest independent co-operative, has published its interim report for the first half of FY27 – the first since the new Society was formed in January.
Headline figures
- Gross sales of £1.3 billion, 180.3% increase, reflecting the three societies coming together.
- Trading profit of £4.5m (interim FY26: £4.5m), in line with the figure reported by Central Co-op in the equivalent period last year, despite a challenging trading environment.
- Savings of £2.3m from bringing the Societies together, £900,000 ahead of plan.
- Capital investment of £12m in new sites, refurbishments, maintenance and in-store technology.
- Member value generated £8.6m, compared with £4.5m in the equivalent period last year.
Debbie Robinson, chief executive officer of OurCoop, said: “Bringing the three Societies together has created opportunities to reduce shared costs and make better use of resources. In our first half year as OurCoop, we have delivered on our integration commitments: maintaining stable trading profit, achieving savings ahead of plan and keeping leverage in line with our plan. Savings totalled £2.3m, £900,000 ahead of plan.
“Alongside this, we have invested in frontline pay and reward for colleagues across OurCoop. These are deliberate choices that are reflected in our reported profit.
“We are also putting our energy into helping Members benefit from our family of businesses. A single Membership connects Members to a range of services that support them through everyday life and at important moments.
“There is more work to do. By adopting the most efficient ways of working from across our founding Societies, we can reduce unnecessary tasks, remove duplication and lower costs. With our key technology decisions already made, our focus is now on implementing those systems, making full use of their capabilities and exploring the potential of AI to help us create a simpler operating model.”
OurCoop is owned by its Members, who have a democratic say in how the Society is run. Its co-operative values guide its work to support communities and build a sustainable future.
At its Interim Members Meeting on 21 October, Members voted overwhelmingly in favour of changing the Society’s legal name to OurCoop Limited. The process of formally adopting the new legal name is now underway.
The co-operative difference for Members
OurCoop’s family of businesses includes food, travel, funeral care, early years, energy, mobile and broadband services. The Society is making it simpler for Members to access and benefit from these services through a single Membership.
The number of Members using two or more of these businesses has doubled since OurCoop was formed in January. Member purchases now account for 39% of total revenue.
The annual value returned to Members by the founding Societies grew more than sevenfold over five years, through rewards, Member pricing and other Member benefits. Members have also earned more than £5m in Reward ££s since the scheme was introduced in September 2025, which they can spend or save across the family of businesses through their digital Member Pot. Work has focused on aligning the Member journey across the Society, with all Chelmsford Star Members now having access to the app.
Supporting colleagues
OurCoop has invested £8m in colleague pay so far this year, through increases in April and October. Frontline pay across the three founding Societies has been aligned more than a year ahead of the original timetable.
Access to health and wellbeing benefits, including GroceryAid, Virtual GP services and a Healthcare Cashplan, has also been extended across the Society. From November, colleagues will benefit from enhanced family friendly support, including 16 weeks of full maternity pay and six weeks of full paternity pay.
Savings and efficiencies from coming together
OurCoop’s balance sheet is stronger, sales have increased and economies of scale are driving savings across the combined Society.
Further opportunities are being identified across the Society, including through shared purchasing and support functions.
The Society made its key technology decisions a year ago. The focus is now on implementing those systems, realising their full capabilities and exploring the potential of AI to improve productivity and simplify how the Society operates.
OurCoop expects a cash outflow this year as it invests in bringing the Societies together. Maintaining stable trading profit, delivering planned savings and managing leverage remain its financial priorities throughout integration.
Sustainable investment
OurCoop invested £12m in new sites, refurbishments, maintenance and in-store technology during the first half. New openings included food stores in Rainhill and Leckhampton and an Early Years centre in Stratford.
Renewable energy from OurCoop’s offshore wind and solar partnerships now provides the equivalent of around 22% of the Society’s electricity needs.
OurCoop’s achievements have also been recognised with the King’s Award for Enterprise, Best Use of Technology at the Retail Industry Awards and Major Project of the Year at the National Sustainability Awards. Chief Executive Debbie Robinson was also named NACS Convenience Industry Leader of the Year Europe.
Looking ahead
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the effects of extreme weather on food production and supply around the world, are expected to keep trading conditions challenging in 2027 and beyond, continuing to put pressure on household budgets.
The Society will remain focused on its co-operative difference, delivering value for Members and achieving sustainable sales and profit growth. Priorities for the remainder of the year include strengthening the family of businesses, making it easier for Members to access and benefit from services across the Society, and realising further synergies.
Debbie Robinson added: “Bringing our Societies together is a two-year programme. From the outset, we have prioritised Member value, colleague safety, pay alignment and ensuring our sites meet safety and compliance standards. As we look ahead, there are further opportunities to make the most of our shared resources and expertise, reducing tasks and creating a simpler operating model.
“My thanks go to our Board, Executive team and colleagues for their continued hard work and the care they bring to OurCoop. As we continue to build our Society, our focus remains on supporting colleagues, delivering value for Members and serving our communities.”
