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Unilever partnersup with C The trial will test ‘Refill on the go’
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o-op and Unilever have partnered to launch two refill packaging store trials, with the aim of gaining a deeper understanding of consumer behaviour towards refillable and reusable packaging in a convenience environment.The partnership follows the successful launch of Unilever’s largest refill trial in Europe in Asda’s sustainability store in Leeds last year. The trial will test two refill models – ‘Refill on the go’ and ‘Return on the go’ – and some of Unilever’s best-known brands will be available in reusable stainless steel bottles. Unilever’s ‘Return on the go’ scheme – which is being trialled near Wolverhampton – enables consumers to pick up pre-filled stainless-steel bottles and return in-store once used. The ‘Refill on the go’ approach – trialled in a larger Co-op store in West Yorkshire – allows customers to purchase and refill re-useable stainless-steel bottles using a standalone refill machine in-store.
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The trial – which tests different refill models, store formats and locations – is now available in Co-op’s convenience store in Wolverhampton Rd, Codsall, and will extend to the Co-op store in Marsh, Huddersfield, later this month. Ian McCutcheon, Head of Format Development for the Co-op, commented: “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.
