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Co-operative to Switch off Energy Inefficient Light Bulbs by 2010 at the Latest
MANCHESTER, England, September 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The Co-operative, which earlier this year became the first supermarket to
announce its plan to stop selling traditional tungsten filament light bulbs,
has set itself the target of pulling the plug on them completely by 2010 at
the latest.
This will be a full 12 months before the industry's voluntary initiative,
announced today (27 September) by the Government.
Next month, 50 Co-operative stores will pilot the removal of traditional
bulbs and by 2010 all the Group's 2,300 food outlets will only stock energy
efficient alternatives.
As precursor to these developments, the Group has overhauled its offering
of energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs and providing a much
broader range. Going forward, there will be a reduced price differential and
enhanced customer awareness campaign.
Energy saving light bulbs use 75 per cent less energy, last up to 12
times longer and can reduce electricity bills by GBP9 per bulb per year or
GBP100 over the bulb's lifetime but despite the false economies, energy
inefficient light bulbs still dominate UK markets at 80 per cent.
Notes to Editors:
On 29 July 2007, The Co-operative Group and United Co-operatives merged.
The new society is the world's largest consumer co-operative with a turnover
of more than GBP9 billion and 87,500 employees.
As well as food retailing and financial services, the
society's other major businesses include pharmacy, funerals and travel,
together with property, farming, consumer legal services, motor dealerships
and shoe retailing. In addition, the society operates the on-line electrical
and bed retailer, E-stores.
The new organisation operates over 4,500 trading outlets throughout the
UK, including food stores, pharmacies, travel branches and funeral homes,
which will adopt the uniform brand - The Co-operative - to be rolled out
across the estate.
For further information contact:
Dave Smith
The Co-operative Group Press Office
Tel: +44-(0)161-827-5614
Fax: +44-(0)161-832-2751
e-mail : dave.smith@co-op.co.uk
