Delegates from across co-operative retail societies will get together in Stratford-Upon-Avon on 3-5 March to look at the key issues facing consumer co-ops.
The Co-operative Retail Conference, which is organised by Co-operatives UK, will begin with a speech by James Walton, chief economist at IGD, a research and training charity specialising in grocery market research and analysis.
![James Walton, chief economist at IGD Retail Analysis, talked of a fourth Industrial Revolution and the future of retail. [photograph- Co-operatives UK]](https://www.thenews.coop/wp-content/uploads/James-Walton-chief-economist-at-IGD-Retail-Analysis-talked-of-a-fourth-Industrial-Revolution-and-the-future-of-retail.-photograph-Co-operatives-UK.jpg)
In a separate session, Rufus Olins, chief membership officer at the Co-operative Group, will explain how the society has changed with a new brand and membership offer and look at the future direction of membership.
Other sessions will feature a debate on buying groups, and how co-ops of different sizes can produce a high-performing store.
On Sunday delegates will hear from Dame Pauline Green, former MEP and president of the International Co-operative Alliance, who chairs the National Co-operative Development Strategy panel and will present the strategy’s relevance, purpose, successes, and next steps.
Howard Brodsky, co-founder and chair of CCA Global, will give a presentation on how to create a co-operative retail powerhouse. CCA Global comprises 13 affiliated companies with aggregate sales in excess of $10 billion. Mr Brodsky will describe how CCA Global has been able to grow into one of the largest co-operatives in the USA.
Employee engagement is also on the agenda at the conference. Unai Elorza, lecturer on HR Management at Mondragon University will share with the delegates his research on Eroski, the Basque supermarket chain, which forms part of the Mondragon Group. Mr Elorza will explain what is the relationship between employee engagement and productivity and how increased employee engagement can be achieved.
“The Co-operative Retail Conference is a once a year opportunity for the UK’s consumer owned retailers to come together, network, and learn from one another and experts,” said John Atherton, membership manager at Co-operatives UK.
“This year we have a host of superb speakers alongside fantastic case studies ranging from community shops through to global businesses. Spread over a weekend, with plenty of time to socialise, the Co-operative Retail Conference is a chance for directors and senior officers to discuss the big issues facing the sector.”
- For more information and to book, visit uk.coop/co-operative-retail-conference
