Wed, 11 Feb 2026

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 'Fear and alienation': Senior Co-op staff complain of 'toxic' culture at the top

Lawyers for the Co-op said they do not believe the complaints represent the broader views of staff
Leadership behaviors have allegedly degraded the leadership culture of the company, with poor decisions resulting in sinking morale, abrupt departures, and increased food waste. The Co-op's response to a cyber-attack last year was praised as quick, but other actions taken were criticized for being "inappropriate" and leading to a drop in sales and profits. Restructuring plans, including the merging of retail, wholesale, and third-party buying functions, have been seen by some as a cause of disruption and confusion. Declining monthly sales since July 2025, with the Co-op performing poorly compared to other grocery retailers, has led to senior managers attributing the decline in performance to poor decisions rather than just the cyber-attack. Tens of colleagues, including experienced personnel, have left the business since the GCL restructuring. The letter to board members claims that decision-making has been poor and decisions were made against advice.
  >>