West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has commended the pioneering work of the UK’s largest surplus redistributor, Company Shop Group, following a visit to its Dudley superstore.

Company Shop Group works by purchasing surplus stock from retailers, manufacturers and brands across the FMCG supply chain, and redistributing it through its network of 13 stores across England and Scotland, at a fraction of the normal retail price.

Having opened the doors to its Dudley store in March 2021, Company Shop has already generated instant impact in the region by stretching hard-working family budgets, supporting businesses to reduce unnecessary waste, and boosting the local economy with the creation of 47 new jobs.

In its first three months in operation, Company Shop Dudley saved its members more than £1,029,758 on their shopping bills, whilst stopping 500 tonnes of perfectly good food and household products from going to waste – equivalent to 184 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

The Group’s Managing Director, Steph McGinty, and Store Manager Kevin Duffy, gave the former John Lewis boss a tour of the store, demonstrating the unique redistribution model in action, and showcasing the benefits it has already brought to thousands of local people across the West Midlands. It was also an opportunity for the Group to share its ambitious expansion plans for the region, with two new stores in the pipeline across Birmingham and West Midlands which will reach even more local people and families.

The visit underlined the Group’s ongoing commitment to the region, and its determination to work closely with the Mayor and other local businesses and stakeholders to help build on progress to date to deliver a better connected, more sustainable and prosperous West Midlands region.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands said:

“It was a pleasure to visit Company Shop’s store in Dudley, where the team are doing some brilliant work. I was definitely struck by the wide range of benefits the Group achieves, by not just providing high-quality, heavily discounted food and products for its members, but also the help it gives to businesses and of course the environment."

Steph McGinty, Managing Director for Company Shop Group said:

“We are so pleased to have been able to welcome Metro Mayor Andy Street, and his team, to our Company Shop Dudley store. It was a brilliant opportunity to show Mr Street first-hand the positive impact we are generating already in the West Midlands, as well as to discuss our ambitious plans to deliver even more, working in conjunction with the West Midlands Combined Authority and other local organisations and stakeholders."

“We have long-held commitments to the West Midlands, which has a rich retail and manufacturing heritage which we can support, and where we know we can deliver strong environmental, social and economic benefits for businesses and communities. We are well placed to support Mr Street’s determined vision for the region and look forward to advancing our future plans as we continue to operate under the principle of being a good business, doing good.”