Waitrose has recently announced the introduction of a new ‘better chicken welfare’ standard, marking a significant step in the UK’s retail sector. The initiative, described as ‘trailblazing’ by the RSPCA, enables the supermarket chain to become the first in the UK to exceed the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC) across all of its ranges. This transition will unfold throughout the week, with a goal set for the end of August to have all of Waitrose's own-brand chicken products - including fresh, frozen, and ingredients in ready meals and sandwiches - complying with the BCC’s higher welfare standards, well ahead of the BCC’s 2026 deadline.

To provide shoppers with more clarity on chicken production methods and animal welfare, Waitrose is launching a transparent welfare labelling scheme. This new system categorizes chicken products into five distinct tiers, ensuring that the two lowest tiers are absent from all Waitrose own-brand chicken offerings. The tiers will differentiate various types of farming methods, such as standard indoor, more space indoor, BCC-compliant, free range, and organic options.

Charlotte Di Cello, Chief Commercial Officer at Waitrose, spoke to Grocery Gazette about the initiative, stating, “We believe in a food system where animal welfare is paramount, producing the best quality, delicious food, ethically and sustainably.” Di Cello emphasized that nearly 70% of shoppers consider animal welfare important in product labelling and expressed hope that customers would appreciate the supermarket’s efforts to enhance welfare standards and transparency.

In alignment with this initiative, Waitrose has urged the Government to implement mandatory, industry-wide welfare labelling, which it claims would further assist consumers in making informed choices across different retail environments. The announcement follows Waitrose's earlier commitment in February to end suffocation practices for farmed prawns, opting for electrical stunning across its supply chain by the end of the next year.

In a related development, the Co-op has undertaken significant refurbishments and recently reopened three of its local stores located in Topsham, Scarborough, and Tupsley. These transformations aim to enhance the shopping experience for local communities and reflect a commitment to modern retail practices.

Each refurbished store, varying in size from 1,000 to 2,300 square feet, now features upgraded refrigeration systems aimed at reducing energy consumption. Customers can expect an expanded assortment of products, including fresh produces, food-to-go options, meal deals, frozen items, dairy products, bakery selections, and Fairtrade goods.

The revamped Co-op stores also serve as fulfilment hubs for online grocery deliveries, enhancing the convenience of home grocery delivery services. Additionally, they have introduced soft plastic recycling points, allowing customers to return difficult-to-recycle items such as crisp packets and bread bags, promoting sustainable practices within the community.

Daniel Case, Store Manager at the Co-op in Topsham, conveyed his excitement regarding the store's transformation and the positive feedback received from the community, stating, “The whole team is thrilled to invest in Topsham and relaunch the Co-op store. The transformation is remarkable, and the feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.”

Both initiatives by Waitrose and the Co-op reflect ongoing efforts in the UK grocery sector to improve animal welfare standards and enhance the local shopping experience.