The article notes that British retailers, including Co-operative Group (Co-op), have reported cybersecurity incidents in recent weeks. The mention of these breaches raises concerns about the company's ability to protect customer data and maintain operational security, an essential aspect of its ethical business practices.

On 28/11/2024, Co-operative Group Ltd donated £2,500.00 to the Co-operative Party as part of its political donations, supporting a progressive political organization and anti-fascist initiatives.

At its 2024 AGM held on May 18, Co-op Group members approved Motion 10, authorizing political expenditure—including donations and subscriptions to political parties—up to a capped amount of £750,000 for the year beginning January 2025. The decision, passed by a strong majority, reflects a democratic, member-driven approach to political engagement and oversight.

The Manchester Employment Tribunal ruled that Sam Walker, the former chief HR officer at the Co-operative Group, was directly discriminated against on the basis of sex in the company's appraisal process, leading to a win in her equal pay and unfair dismissal claims.

Following a three-year legal battle, former HR Director Sam Walker won her claim against Co-operative Group Ltd for equal pay and unfair dismissal. The Manchester Employment Tribunal ruled that the company directly discriminated against her on the basis of sex by providing unequal pay compared to her male counterparts and by dismissing her after she raised concerns about pay disparities.

Co-op has installed invasive facial recognition cameras in 35 stores, which capture customer faces and convert them into biometric data to compare against a database of individuals with previous theft or violent records. This deployment has raised stark privacy concerns and has been condemned as 'Orwellian' by Big Brother Watch, prompting a legal complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Co-operative Group's Southern Co-op installed facial recognition technology in 35 convenience stores across multiple cities, prompting privacy group complaints about potentially unlawful surveillance. The company stated it takes its responsibilities seriously and welcomes constructive feedback from regulatory authorities.

An equal pay claim has been initiated against The Co-operative Group, with over 100 predominantly female workers alleging that their wages are not equal to those received by male colleagues in distribution centres. The case, represented by law firm Leigh Day, seeks back pay for up to six years, highlighting potential unequal treatment in the company's pay practices.

During the same AGM, alongside political funding decisions, the Co-operative Group also voted on new corporate governance procedures that would reduce members' direct influence in board elections, raising concerns about democratic accountability.

At its annual general meeting, the Co-operative Group voted to continue approving political expenditures of up to £1m, building on last year's £625,000 donation to the Co-operative Party, reinforcing its alignment with progressive political initiatives.

At their AGM in Manchester, Co-op Group members approved a motion to allocate up to £1m annually for political expenditures to support the Co-operative Party, which has historical ties with the Labour movement. This decision reinforces the group's commitment to democratic, progressive funding of political activities aligned with co-operative values.

Co-operative Group Ltd is set to vote at its annual general meeting on whether to continue its financial support for the Co-op Party, after last year's donation of £625,000 showed a decline from previous levels. The motion, presented as Motion 9 at the AGM, calls for a reassessment of the Society’s policy on political donations, potentially altering long-standing support for a party with historical ties to progressive movements.