Co-op rebrands stores as “Co-op26” to mark COP26 in Glasgow

Six flagship Co-op stores across the UK have ‘rebranded’ to Co-op26 with amplified exterior signage and window vinyl takeovers as the UK prepares to host global leaders and changemakers at the COP26 Climate Change conference in Glasgow this weekend.

Co-op on Wednesday (27) announced the launch of a national store and funeral home campaign, aptly named Co-op26, in a bid to get people asking questions about how they can impact climate change at a community level.

Stores that are being rebranded are Glasgow Charing Cross, Glasgow Union St Station, Glasgow Argyle Street, London Dover House/Westminster bridge, Manchester High St and Keele University.

Continuing on the play on words, Co-op will also rebrand across its social channels to Co-op26 for the duration of COP-26.

In addition to the six flagship ‘rebranded’ stores, all of Co-op’s 2,600 food stores and 830 funeral care homes will communicate the same in-store messaging via marketing materials, including a full package of interior POS such as hanging boards, shelf edge labels and bunting, exterior bollard covers and in-store radio takeovers to encourage customers to get involved, the announcement said.

The Co-op26 campaign builds on the publication of Co-op’s 10-point climate change action plan where the retailer pledged to radically reduce the carbon that comes from its products and operations, to become a “Net Zero business” by 2040 and announced that it will be the first supermarket in the world to sell fully carbon neutral own brand food and drink by 2025.

The convenience retailer has also made an industry-first move as part of its action plan to end the price disparity of vegan food and price match its plant-based range, GRO, to meat and dairy equivalents in store. 

The Co-op26 campaign celebrates the retailer’s recently announced partnership with ‘Count us In’ which aims to encourage one billion people to take practical steps in their own lives to reduce carbon pollution.

“Through the launch of the Co-op26 campaign and our partnership with Count us In, we want to grab the attention of communities all across the UK to get them thinking, asking questions and taking action, as well as equip them to use their voice and successfully activate the ‘tell your politician’ pledge,” Steve Murrells, CEO of The Co-op Group said.