This comes after Biffa said in March in a trading update trading for the 2021/22 financial year that trading for the Company Shop Group has “continued to be challenged”, but has started to “see an improvement gross margins”.
The company’s latest sustainability report showed that the group saved 34,590 tonnes of food and products from going to waste in 2021.
The group has reported delivering a financial return of £32.9million to its partners across the year, up from £20 million in 2020, taking the total figure paid back over the last decade to £165 million.
It also celebrated its new ties with the likes of Too Good To Go, and the “ongoing support” from within and outside the sector.
Biffa acquired the company for £82.5 million in 2021 (see letsrecycle.com story),
Growth
The group has also successfully opened four new stores, two new Community Shop stores, and established a further three staff shops on partner manufacturing sites.
According to the report, Company Shop Group has helped many family budgets by collectively saving its members over £80million on their shopping. Additionally, the Group has extended its membership base to include charities and welcomed a further 250,000 new members through its doors over the past year.
Community Shop
The Group’s social enterprise, Community Shop, has received a 34% increase in donations from industry partners over the year. This enabled it to provide the equivalent of over 2,950,000 meals for individuals and families most in need, the report stated.
The document said: “By working in collaboration with food businesses, charities, local authorities, grass-root organisations and housing associations, Community Shop supported over 20,500 households last year, with over 8,000 members engaging in life-changing Hub activities.”
‘Positive difference’
Steph McGinty, managing director of Company Shop Group said: “At Company Shop Group we have always sought to work collaboratively with our industry partners and wider stakeholders, as we believe that together we can be a force for good and make a genuine and positive difference for the people and world around us – socially, commercially, and environmentally.
“Today’s achievements would not have been possible without our talented colleagues and powerful partnerships. However, we’re not stopping here, and we know there is a lot more we can do by working together, so I would urge any organisation looking to unlock true value from their stock to partner with Company Shop Group, as we work to create a world where no surplus needlessly goes to waste.”
Gary Stott, chairman of Community Shop added: “It has been another phenomenal year in Community Shop’s journey, reflected in the significant increase we have seen in our partnerships, donations and support from businesses and organisations, and in the life-changing outcomes we have delivered for the people and communities we’re so proud to serve”.
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