Empowering Consumers for a Sustainable Future: An Interview with HISPACOOP for World Consumer Day

On the occasion of World Consumer Day, we highlight the essential role of consumer co-operatives in promoting sustainability, consumer rights, and social responsibility. In Spain, HISPACOOP, the national association of consumer co-operatives, works to empower consumers and foster a more equitable and sustainable food system.

Consumer co-operatives across Europe play a crucial role in ensuring that consumers have access to fair prices, transparent information, and ethical products. Their business model prioritizes people over profit, meaning they reinvest their earnings into better services, sustainable supply chains, and consumer education.

From environmental responsibility to consumer rights advocacy, co-operatives are at the forefront of empowering individuals to make informed and responsible choices. Through collaboration with public institutions and consumer organizations, they work to ensure that sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical consumption remain at the core of Europe's retail sector.

To gain insights into their efforts, we interviewed Carmen Redondo Borge, Institutional Relations Manager at HISPACOOP, who shared how consumer co-operatives in Spain contribute to building a better future for their members and communities.

1. How do consumer co-operatives in Spain contribute to creating a more sustainable and equitable food system for their members and communities?

"HISPACOOP considers raising consumer awareness of sustainable food to be key to promoting healthy and sustainable eating habits. A better understanding of the environmental impact of food by consumers will assist in changing their eating habits to become healthier and more sustainable.

The Spanish consumer co-operatives in the food sector, in collaboration with HISPACOOP, encourage consumers to adopt healthy eating habits that have a lesser environmental impact and to live an active, healthy, and sustainable lifestyle."

2. What initiatives has HISPACOOP, or its members, undertaken to raise awareness about consumer rights and empower consumers to make informed decisions?

"HISPACOOP and its members empower consumers through their consumer projects and communication strategies to make better and more informed decisions and to be more environmentally friendly.

As their representatives, we defend their consumer rights in relevant sectors, such as food and energy, and we protect vulnerable consumers."

3. In the context of the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, how do consumer co-operatives in Spain integrate the values of solidarity and social responsibility in their operations, and how do these values contribute to a better consumer experience?

"Consumer co-operatives in Spain uphold solidarity, social responsibility, and consumer protection by ensuring fair pricing, ethical sourcing, sustainability, and active member participation. This fosters trust, informed decision-making, and a more responsible and inclusive consumer experience."

4. Looking ahead, what steps do you see consumer co-operatives taking to enhance their role in promoting sustainability and meeting the changing needs of consumers?

"The Spanish consumer co-operatives provide practical advice to implement positive changes in consumer habits. Although consumers play a key role in the circular economy, more information is needed to help them make more sustainable and circular choices."

On World Consumer Day, we celebrate the dedication of consumer co-operatives in Spain and across Europe to empowering consumers, fostering sustainable practices, and defending consumer rights. As member-owned enterprises, co-operatives are uniquely positioned to promote ethical business models that prioritize social and environmental responsibility while ensuring that consumers have access to safe, high-quality, and fairly priced products.

Through their work, HISPACOOP and its members, alongside consumer co-operatives across Europe, are paving the way for a fairer, more informed, and sustainable consumer experience.