The Co-operative Magazine will be sent twice a year to over 650,000 Co-operative Members starting this summer.

The new magazine supports the established ethical values of The Co-operative and the growing business divisions including food, financial services and pharmacy. The readership is estimated at around 1.3 million.

abc media are handling advertising on the magazine and can organise targeted inserts, promotional vouchers as well as advertising. Mars, P&G and Birdseye are already involved

The Co-operative Magazine is a major part of the communication programme with the retailer’s members. These members take a direct share in profits, through a cash payment known as the Dividend that is sent out twice a year, the value of the payment is linked directly to how much they spend.

The Co-operative Magazine is just one of a wide variety of media channels available across the Co-operative network of over 4,500 outlets nationwide that are handled by abc media.

abc media can tailor a retail media campaign for the most discerning agency or brand and are already taking bookings for the Christmas 2008 issue.

Sam Griffiths, head of magazines at Carat, believes the new title will be successful, stating that company magazines “can work, but they need to offer more than just what is offered in store”, which is one of the key objectives of the Co-operative magazine.