Start: 2026-01-21
End: 2026-01-21

The Co-op leadership team welcomes suppliers back for the 2026 Co-op Trade Briefing from IGD - the annual update on Co-op’s strategic direction, growth priorities, and the opportunities ahead for its supplier partners.

This event brings together Co-op leaders, category experts, and partners from across the industry to explore how they’re building a more connected, more ambitious and more opportunity-rich business - designed to drive shared growth with its supplier community.

A key feature of the Co-op Trade Briefing is the opportunity for suppliers to take part in pre-scheduled 1-2-1 meetings with the teams who shape and support their business every day.

By attending in person, suppliers can:

Build and deepen relationships with Co-op leaders, buyers and functional teams

Take part in open, informal conversations that spark ideas and unlock new opportunities

Share challenges and ambitions directly with decision-makers

What to expect

A clear vision for growth

Co-op’s leadership team will provide an update on progress against the organisation’s vision and share how the evolved operating model is enabling Co-op to accelerate growth, strengthen commercial focus, and deliver more for their customers.

The team will also share bold plans for Co-op’s next era, showing how new ways of working are helping supplier partners connect with more consumers through our presence in over 8,000 convenience stores.

This session will give suppliers a clear view of the direction Co-op is heading, how the changes embedded across the business are driving faster decision making and better execution, and most importantly how suppliers can continue to grow alongside Co-op as we expand our reach and impact.

Setting suppliers up for success

Whether long-standing partners or new to the Co-op family, attendees will gain practical insights to help them work more effectively with Co-op teams - today, tomorrow and in the future.

The briefing will include an overview of three of Co-op’s business areas:

GCL (Group Commercial & Logistics) Buying Group

Co-op Food Trading

Co-op Wholesale

Suppliers will learn how to work seamlessly with buying teams and how improved processes are helping products move into stores more efficiently.

Pricing

	In-person	Live stream
Member	£500	£250
Non-member	£750	£350
*Small business	£275	£200

What's included

	In-person	Live stream
Hear the latest strategic updates from the Co-op leadership team.	Yes	Yes
Watch and replay selected presentations on-demand in your own time.	Yes	Yes
Hear an economic update and forecast from the IGD team.	Yes	Yes
Access the virtual event platform for pre and post content on-demand.	Yes	Yes
Put your questions to the Co-op leadership team during a live and interactive Q&A.	Yes	Yes
Have face to face conversations with the Co-op senior management team and make connections with the Co-op buyers.	Yes
Opportunity to pre-schedule 1-2-1 meetings.	Yes
Attend breakout sessions and engage with category content at the event.	Yes
Advance access to the event app to enable you to plan your day and maximise your event experience.	Yes

Tickets

Prices displayed ex-VAT, IGD reserves the right to alter any element of the programme, such as speakers, times and venue, should the need arise. All bookings are subject to your acceptance of the IGD Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. This event is designed for current or potential suppliers and manufacturers of goods for sale in Co-op stores. Your identity data will be used by IGD and shared with Co-op for the purposes of administering the event, including in the Co-op Trade Briefing platform / app for a) in a delegate list; and b) allowing other delegates to send you messages within the platform / app. IGD and Co-op reserve the right to reject any order at their discretion.

**^*Small Business Rate**

As part of IGD’s commitment to help small business to grow, IGD is offering a small business rate for this event.

To qualify for a discounted rate you will need to be a small manufacturing business with a global turnover of less than £10 million. Please note this is not your annual turnover with this retailer and is only available to manufacturing businesses. Place your order above and email your annual global turnover to [email protected], or get in touch if you have any questions.

Cancellation Fees

Cancellations to be confirmed in writing.

Over 30 days notice – Full refund

15 – 30 days notice – 50% refund  (or transferred to virtual ticket)

Less than 15 days notice – No refund / transfers

Please email [email protected]

General information

Overview

IGD and Co-op, working in partnership are keen to create connection and conversation in a face-to-face setting. Co-op will share their progress on their strategic priorities and plans for the year ahead. 

What's the format of the event?

In-person option:

A dedicated session with the Co-op leadership team on strategic priorities and plans for the year ahead

Put your questions to Co-op’s leadership team during a live Q&A

Our event app provides advance access, giving you time to prepare for the event and gain the most from the programme and venue on the day

Opportunity to preschedule 1-2-1 meetings

Attend breakout sessions and engage with category content at the event

Live stream option:

View the keynote session with the leadership team on the strategic priorities and plans for the year ahead

Put your questions to Co-op’ leadership team during the live Q&A

How do I book 1-2-1 buyer meetings?

The Co-op Trade Briefing 2026 from IGD offers a valuable opportunity to connect directly with a Co-op buyer - whether you’re strengthening an existing relationship or engaging with a prospective partner.

As the event approaches, you will have the chance to book a 1-2-1 meeting slot with your preferred buyer* through our dedicated 1-2-1 booking system.

Important information:

Co-op colleagues manage their own schedules, and meeting requests are accepted or declined at their discretion.

To maximise your chances of securing a meeting, we strongly recommend booking as soon as the system goes live. You will receive an email notification when booking opens.

Approximately 200 Co-op buyers will be in attendance. If your preferred buyer is unavailable or not attending the event, you will have the option to search by category to find an alternative contact.

*Please note: Buyer availability is subject to change, and meeting slots are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Where is the event taking place?

The Co-op Trade Briefing from IGD is being held at Co-op Live, 1 Sports City Way, Etihad Campus, Manchester, M11 3DU.

Driving: Please use the post code M11 3DU, and follow the signs to Etihad Campus as you get closer - you will then need to follow signs for Blue Car Park and display your event app upon arrival to parking marshals to permit entry. Parking availability is subject to match activity on the day.

Public Transport: Trams on the Ashton-Eccles line run every 6 minutes from the city centre to the Etihad Campus stop, right next to the venue.

Further details can be found here.

Is there a dress code?

Most attendees opt for business casual, we would certainly suggest comfortable shoes as you move around the venue. 

Can I get access to the recordings and presentations after the event?

Yes, abridged presentations and content will be available to view within 5 working days of the event ending. You will receive an email once slides are accessible via our virtual event platform and your MyEvents section of IGD.com. Keynote session recordings (excluding Q&A’s) will be made available on the platform for 10 working days after their release, after which the virtual platform closes.

Booking details and communication

I am registered for the event but haven’t heard anything in a while. What should I do?

All communications regarding the event will be sent via [email protected]. If you feel you have missed any communications, please reach out to [email protected].

Can I make a name change?

Name changes remain free of charge, we do ask that your request is with us one week prior to the event date, to enable access to our event app. Name changes must be made in writing to [email protected]. 

I can no longer attend, can I please get a refund or transfer my ticket to someone else?

A reminder of our refund policy: 

Over 30 days notice - Full refund

15 - 30 days notice - 50% refund  (or transferred to virtual ticket)

Less than 15 days notice - No refund

If you wish to transfer your ticket to a colleague, this is free of charge, please send over their details as well as those of the individual they will be replacing, to [email protected]. Please make sure the request is with us one week prior to the event to ensure access to the event app and virtual platform. 

Could I please get a VAT receipt?

A receipt will be sent to your company’s finance department once your order has been processed. If you would like a copy, please send your order number & request to [email protected]. 

Our responsibilities to you

How do I communicate my accessibility needs?

We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive event experience for all attendees. If you have an accessibility-related requirement or request for this event, please let us know in your registration profile (which you’ll be sent once your ticket has been purchased). 

For more information, please contact [email protected].

What is your commitment to inclusion and diversity?

Inclusion and diversity are fundamental to our culture at IGD. The following measures are in place to support attendees feel included at our events: 

Include your gender pronoun on your badge, via your registration profile (which you’ll be sent, once your ticket has been purchased).

A dedicated inclusion and diversity room will be available, please do email [email protected], for further details.

How does IGD ensure I'm kept safe at this event?

IGD is committed to providing safe and secure environments for our attendees. All local and national authority guidance and regulations will be adhered to by IGD and the venue team. 

What is IGD doing to reduce the carbon impact of this event?

IGD and Co-op have worked to minimise our environmental impact wherever possible, the following measures are in place to continue our mission in this area: 

Access to our interactive Event App

Using recycled, recyclable, and biodegradable materials where possible.

Minimising food waste

Monitoring and reducing our carbon footprint year on year

You can help support this mission by considering the following options: 

Travel by public transport to the event.

Reduce travel for meetings: Utilise your time in Harrogate to conduct other meetings around this event.

Lanyard reuse: Please drop your badge and lanyard back to us at the end of the day, so we can clean and reuse this.

Key event contacts

General enquiries – [email protected] 