UNILEVER and Co-op have partnered to launch two refill packaging store trials in a bid to gain a ‘deeper understanding’ of consumer behaviour.
The firms added that they want to understand attitudes towards refillable and reusable packaging in a convenience setting.
The trial will test two refill models: ‘refill on the go’ and ‘return on the go’, using some of Unilever’s best known brands in Persil, Simple, Radox and Alberto Balsam.
The products will be available in reusable stainless steel bottles, allowing customers to pick up the pre-filled steel containers and return in-store once used.
The ‘refill on the go’ approach will allow consumers to purchase and refill reusable stainless steel bottles using a standalone refill machine.
Co-op’s head of format development, Ian McCutcheon, said,“We are continually working to develop new ways to provide added services and choice conveniently. The refillable packaging trials with Unilever are designed to test and learn from consumer behaviour, while providing easy and quick ways for shoppers to cut their plastic consumption.
“We are facing into a climate and environmental crisis, and we need to act now to support consumers in making ethical purchasing decisions – by making it easier for shoppers to make small changes to their lives, together, we can make a big difference to our environment.”
Sebastian Munden, Unilever UK and Ireland general manager and executive vice-president, added, “Our trials with Co-op include our first test of refillable products in a smaller convenience store setting, helping us to further build our understanding of how refills work in different store sizes, locations and shopping missions.
“There’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ for reuse and refill. Offering a range of our trusted brands and products in refillable stainless steels bottles, we continue to test different models, store formats and locations across the UK to see how shoppers respond, what works best, and what we need to adapt and change. Working closely with partners like Co-op, we can help people to make more sustainable choices every day and reduce the single use of virgin plastic with the speed and urgency needed.”
