Central Co-op extends partnership with Retail Insight to combat food waste

Central Co-op Extends Partnership with Retail Insight to Combat Food Waste

Central Co-op has announced the renewal of its partnership with software provider Retail Insight for a further three years, emphasising its ongoing efforts to reduce food waste. This extension marks a continuation of the relationship first established in 2021, with Central Co-op utilising Retail Insight’s WasteInsight platform to enhance its waste management strategies.

The WasteInsight platform employs cognitive-driven technology to manage product expiration, enhance the efficiency of charitable donations, and improve forecasting accuracy, enabling more dynamic and timely markdowns. These efforts aim to increase sell-through rates, minimise financial losses, and streamline waste management processes for the retailer.

As part of the renewed contract, Central Co-op will implement Retail Insight’s Prompted Markdown feature. This AI-driven tool, integrated within the WasteInsight solution, automatically detects products approaching their expiry dates and alerts staff via handheld devices when action is required. This automated alert system is designed to optimise the waste management process and boost operational efficiency by removing the necessity for manual checks.

Ben Grove, Senior Operational Excellence Manager at Central Co-op, remarked on the benefits of the partnership, stating, "WasteInsight has revolutionised our approach to markdowns and waste reduction, allowing us to optimise our operations and improve sustainability. We are excited to continue this journey and experience the additional benefits that the prompted markdown feature will bring to the business."

Jessica Westwell, Customer Success Manager at Retail Insight, expressed her enthusiasm for the ongoing collaboration, saying, "We are delighted to continue our partnership with Central Co-op. Its commitment to waste reduction and operational excellence is truly inspiring, and it’s been great to work with the team to increase compliance and drive performance through our solution."

Central Co-op operates 450 trading outlets across 21 counties in the UK, employing 7,500 colleagues. Its extensive retail network includes 255 food stores, 18 petrol stations, as well as floristry and funeral services. The expanded utilisation of Retail Insight’s advanced technology underscores Central Co-op's dedication to sustainability and efficiency in its operations.

Source: Noah Wire Services