The Southern Co-operative presentation presented at the 'Real people, real lives - focus on food' event which took place on the 3rd July 2012. The presentation was presented by Philip Ponsonby.

1. Philip Ponsonby

2. * Independent Society formed in 1873
* Opened UK’s first self service shop in
1948
* Strategic decision to exit from
superstore trading in the 1990’s
* Clear growth strategy focussed on
neighbourhood community stores
* Successful funeral business
* Launch of Co-operative Xest 2009,
online and home-shopping aimed at
Independent Living.

3. 185 stores
across 13
counties

4. Over 80 new neighbourhood
stores in 5 years Road, Eastleigh
July – Leigh

6. Products
Equipment
Technology
Communication

8. *Over 50% of
customers live
within a quarter
mile radius

13. * “Thomas is a kind, helpful
person and will always help
customers. He is cheerful and
makes a point of having a
chat with the shop's older
customers, of which there are
many. Sometimes he is the
only person they might talk to
all day’’

14. * "Sarah brightens our local
store with her lovely
personality. Overton has a
high proportion of elderly
people and Sarah is
wonderful with them, always
patient and extra helpful "

15. * “I have a 97 year old
partially sighted father and
the understanding and
compassion shown by Lyn in
a very busy store was
something I have not seen
for a long, long time”