Integration Highlights Pt. 1

Welcome to our first Integration Bulletin. We’re now in Week 4 of bringing our two societies together and there’s a real sense of energy and momentum behind the work underway. We are excited to share weekly updates to ensure everyone feels informed, engaged and part of the journey ahead.

When we last connected, we couldn’t share much while we were still operating separately. Now that we are one organisation, we’re pleased to give you a clearer picture of what’s happening and what it means for all of us.

What we’ve achieved in a short space of time is significant and is a true testament to the hard work, collaboration and commitment shown across our teams. Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient  Society, better positioned to serve our Members and invest more in our communities.

Key Programme Updates

• Day 1 completed successfully and we are now operating as one combined society

• All integration workstreams are now up and running, with clear leads and plans in place across areas including Culture and Colleagues, IT, Brand, Marketing & Membership, Food Retail and Legal & Governance

• 18 colleagues are dedicated to supporting the integration, working across teams to keep progress moving

• We are now in the discovery phase of our 100-day plan, with 12 workshops involving more than 75 colleagues helping shape how we will work together in the future.

Changes since Day 1 You Might Have Seen

• Our new “OurCoop” branding is now live across digital and physical channels

• Inter-office access between Warwick and Lichfield support centre offices is fully operational, with WiFi available at both sites for colleagues

• Our employer brand is now aligned across platforms such as Glassdoor and Indeed

• A new Brand Asset Hub is live, giving colleagues access to approved logos and templates

• Contracts have formally transferred into the new legal entity, with supplier management continuing as planned

• Revised Membership Terms and Conditions are now in place

• The registered address has been updated on till receipts

• A refreshed colleague intranet page has launched, including a dedicated integration mailbox and Q&A.

Key Decisions Made since Day 1

• Formal adoption of the “OurCoop” name

• Alignment of approach to communications as a combined society

  • Continued introduction of Deliverect - the system that connects online ordering platforms directly to our tills - alongside upgrades to Handheld Terminals (“HHTs”) to improve efficiency in former Central Co-op stores, bringing former Central Co-op technology in line with former Midcounties Co-operative technology by summer

What to Expect Next

• Continued workshops to help shape our future operating model - in simple terms, how our teams, processes and systems will work together going forward

• Development of a clear IT roadmap to guide how our systems come together over time.

There is still much to do, but there is genuine excitement about what we can achieve together. Our priority remains clear: supporting our Members and our colleagues as we build our future together as one Society.