Removing damaging food products from its shelves (choice editing) and posting controversial ads that create awareness of pesticides in food production are just some of the actions that Denmark’s largest retailer of consumer goods, COOP, has taken over the years to show its stand in support of sustainable consumption.

This week, the retail giant was rewarded with the 2018 Sustainable Brand Index award – Denmark. As part of the largest Nordic brand study, 7000 Danish consumers were interviewed on 202 brands and rated COOP as the most sustainable brand of 2018.

Consumers vote with their shopping basket

Consumers are increasingly expecting companies to take concrete actions to address social and environmental issues through their business.

Being owned by its more than 1.6 million customers, addressing concerns like these is particularly obligating for a company like COOP, who among other things has spent the past 40 years reducing and removing harmful chemicals from consumer products.

Campaign against “The Dirty Dozen”

Most recently, COOP has launched the Danish campaign Nykemilov.nu in order to put pressure on Danish politicians to vote for a ban that removes twelve of the most harmful chemicals from consumer goods (“the dirty dozen”).

“We can’t just sit and wait for EU bans or national legislation to change. Instead, we remove harmful products from our shelves, ban the use of these chemicals in our own products, put pressure on suppliers, and provide a platform to mobilize our customers, so we can stand together in pushing for sustainable change.” Explains COOP’s CSR Manager, Thomas Roland.

Get more insights from COOP

COOP’s CSR Manager Thomas Roland was one of the key note speakers at the miniconference on “Corporate Social Activism” in the Social Business Club.

At the miniconference, Thomas Roland shared practical advice and real-life examples of how COOP is practicing corporate activism in different ways.

At the event, these other key note speakers also shared how-to insights and inspiration:

• The international social business specialist who provides an overview of global trends and cases on corporate social activism (Tania Ellis, Special Advisor & Founder, The Social Business Company)
• The low-cost telecommunications company that initiated a national social movement by changing the company from within (Hanne Lindblad, former CEO and Anja Enggaard former Marketing Manager, Call me)
• The world’s first ethical prison labour company that uses its business to take a stand on poverty and women’s rights (Veronica D’Souza, CEO & Founder, CARCEL)

The Social Business Club is an inspirational network forum for professionals from around the world with an interest in innovative and sustainable business practices that create value for society and the bottom line. Free sign-up at www.thesocialbusinessclub.com