Progress of the FY2023 CO・OP Brand Product business
2024.08.09
Despite facing challenges such as rising prices, a shortage of human resources, and environmental issues, Ethical products retail sales achieved a total amount of 245.7 billion yen.
Due to the impact of rising prices, the living conditions of co-op members are becoming more challenging. Additionally, the food industry is facing increased competition along with a shortage of human resources. In the Co-op's home delivery business, competition is growing, and the number of users continues to decrease.
Even in such a challenging and intense environment, JCCU is committed to supporting members' "everyday lives" and ensuring that CO・OP products are chosen by members. Efforts are being made to review the prices of CO・OP products, develop products that reflect the co-op's unique approach, and promote the sale of CO・OP products.
Progress of the FY2023 CO・OP Brand Product business
The following amounts are based on the member retail price (estimated values):
Ethical Product
Ethical products reached a total retail sales of 245.7 billion yen (based on member prices, estimated), which is 109% of the previous year. Environmental products saw significant growth, with Eco Mark products increasing by 128% and FSC® certified products growing by 114% compared to the previous year. The retail sales of the "Smile Green Project (Phase 1)", a donation-supported toilet paper launched in November 2022 to raise funds for reforestation of the Atlantic Forest along Brazil's Atlantic coast, exceeded 10 million yen.
Food Waste Reduction Products
With the theme "Deliciousness from a Feeling of Wastefulness", the development of CO・OP products using ingredients destined for disposal began in the spring of 2023. In FY2023, 386,247 bananas, which did not meet the fresh produce standards and were slated for disposal, were repurposed as ingredients for CO・OP products. The "CO・OP Ripe Banana Smoothie" achieved annual retail sales of over 100 million yen. Additionally, utilizing ingredients that would otherwise be discarded has increased recognition of CO・OP products and contributed to added value. By the spring of 2024, the number of products aimed at reducing food waste had reached 11. JCCU will continue to advance the development of food waste reduction products.
Addressing the Plastic Problem
JCCU has also addressed plastic issues. The number of items using recycled and plant-based plastic packaging increased by 154 to 931 items, totaling 2,846 tons by weight (a 10.7% increase from the previous year). In FY2024, the goal is to select target products and aim for doubling the previous year's increase to 360 items. Products that reduced plastic raw materials in their packaging amounted to 87 items, resulting in a reduction of about 167 tons of plastic. Additionally, the expansion of recycling activities has led to approximately 100 items by the end of 2023, where PET bottles collected by the Co-op are recycled into flexible packaging for CO・OP products.
Performance by Theme
Co-op Sustainable
The "Co-op Sustainable" series features products made with environmentally and socially considerate materials, marked with a common logo. In FY2023, the number of items in seafood and household goods was expanded, with annual retail sales reaching 28.1 billion yen (113% of the previous year) and the number of items increasing to 247 (an increase of 44 items compared to the previous year).
Co-op Quality
The "Co-op Quality" series focuses on high standards for ingredients and manufacturing methods, and only products rated "delicious" by over 80% of a 100-person member monitor group are released. In FY2023, this series achieved annual retail sales of 7.8 billion yen (101% of the previous year) and had 97 items (an increase of 4 items from the previous year). Despite rising ingredient costs in the food sector, this series maintained stable demand. "Deliciousness" is also listed among the five promises of Co-op's product policy and is considered a crucial element. Active product development and information dissemination will continue into FY2024.
Kirakira Step
The "Kirakira Step" series for infants and toddlers has continued to grow, receiving strong support from many co-op members. In the fiscal year, annual retail sales reached 2.3 billion yen (108% of the previous year) with the number of items increasing to 27 (an increase of 1 item from the previous year).
Kirakira Kids
The "Kirakira Kids" series, targeting toddlers after their teeth have fully emerged and launched in the fall of 2019, had annual retail sales of 600 million yen (95% of the previous year) with 11 items (a decrease of 2 items from the previous year).
Food Allergy-Friendly "7 Item Free" Series
The "7-item-free" series, which is designed to be allergy-friendly by avoiding the 7 specific allergens (eggs, milk, wheat, buckwheat, peanuts, shrimp, and crab), achieved annual retail sales of 86 million yen (135% of the previous year). The number of items remained steady at 13 (no change from the previous year), indicating consistent support for the series.
