Innovative surplus food store opens its doors in Edinburgh

An innovative supermarket that prevents good food and household products from going to waste has welcomed its first customers in the Capital.

Staff outside the new Company Shop Edinburgh, in Dumbryden Road, which opened on September 23

Company Shop Group, the UK’s leading redistributor of surplus food and goods, opened its latest store on Dumbryden Road yesterday.

Its membership-based model will see workers in the NHS, emergency services and care sector – as well as people on welfare support – benefit from discounts of up to 50 per cent of normal retail prices.

Only the second of its kind in Scotland, the opening of Company Shop Edinburgh follows the successful launch of the discount supermarket chain in Renfrew in December last year.

It is estimated that the new store could benefit 24,000 local members in its first year alone, helping to address food poverty, while reducing waste to protect the environment and creating 80 new jobs in the Edinburgh area.

The business operates by purchasing surplus products from household brands such as Marks and Spencer, Nestle, Iceland and Tesco. All the food sold within the store will be in date and perfectly good to eat.

Encouraging people to sign up for free membership Jane Marren, managing director of Company Shop Group, said: “We are delighted to be opening our second Scottish store in Edinburgh.

“Edinburgh is an area with a thriving food manufacturing industry and hard-working families who will benefit hugely from accessing discounted products in our stores which might otherwise have gone go to waste.

“Our model helps businesses to reduce waste, protect the planet, feed hard-working families and support communities. We are hugely grateful for all the support we have received so far, including from our long-standing retail partners, members, local organisations and the wider community.”

Shoppers looking to take out membership and retailers wishing to sell or donate surplus stock should go to www.companyshopgroup.co.uk

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