Co-op creates 7,000 jobs during COVID-19 crisis alongside 'exceptional' performance

The Co-operative Group (Co-op) has revealed it created thousands of roles during the coronavirus pandemic alongside ‘exceptional’ performance.

In a trading update covering the 26 weeks up to July 4, the firm announced it had created 7,000 temporary roles during the crisis in order to meet growing demand.

Co-op saw its total revenues across the group rise by 7.6 per cent to £5.8bn, compared with £5.4bn over the same period in 2019 - an increase which according to the firm was driven by its food and wholesale businesses.

As well as creating thousands of jobs during the crisis, the firm has committed to reviewing the wages and benefits of its employees, as well as taking on 150 more staff as part of the Kickstart scheme.

Steve Murrells, chief executive of the Co-op, commented: “We are living in unprecedented times, but the response of our Co-op has been exceptional and I’m immensely proud of my 60,000 colleagues who’ve helped to feed and care for the nation during this difficult period.

“We’ve shown how our co-operative approach to doing business provides enhanced value for our customer-members and the communities in which they live. At a time of crisis, our country needs a strong and progressive Co-op and these results evidence that we are ready to deliver even more for our key stakeholders.

“The coming months and years remain uncertain, and we know our own Co-op will not be immune to the pressures the recession brings to family budgets and to local and national economies. We will continue to invest within our core businesses to ensure that our Co-op value resonates within Co-op households and local communities.”

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