Who We Are
Since opening in 1996 Unicorn Grocery has offered a wide range
of fresh and wholesome food to its South Manchester customer base.
Maintaining an approach of direct purchasing and competitive
pricing, Unicorn has become one of the largest and most successful
wholefood outlets in the UK. In this alternative model of trade,
ethical principles remain at the core of the business.
The focus is always on local,  organic, fairly traded and wholesome
goods.
Around 70 lines of organic fruit and veg represent our region
and beyond, at prices accessible to all. Unicorn now owns 21 acres of prime growing
land just 14 miles from the shop, further improving and securing our
regional veg supply for the future.
The on-site production area keeps shelves stocked with a wide
variety of dried foodstuffs, including pulses, grains, nuts, fruits
and spices.
In addition to a great range of organic beer and wine there's
daily fresh organic bread and a popular deli. Unicorn caters to
people seeking dairy free, gluten free and sugar free products.
Unicorn also presents an expanding selection of environmentally
friendly baby products, cosmetics and household goods made from
natural ingredients. Theshop is full of information about where
products come from and related issues, so customers may make an
informed choice in their purchasing.
Unicorn is a worker co-operative owned and run by its workforce,
currently in excess of 50 members within the 10,000 sq.ft. premises.
This flat-rate pay organisation makes all decisions by consensus.
From a turnover of £3,500 to £3.5 million, from 4
members to 50, Unicorn donates a steady 5% of wage costs  to local
and international projects relating to its Principles of Purpose.
It also contributes to a tree planting scheme with a carbon
tax to offset damage to the environment in the running of the
business.
Our achievements have been recognised by our customers,
who voted us 'Best Independent Shop' in The Observer Food Monthly's 2008
awards and Radio Four food
experts, who named us 2008's 'Best Local Food Retailer'.
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Ethics & Principles
The principles are the foundations of
Unicorn and the framework within which we work. In our global
market it's not easy and we have to say we are striving
towards the ideal. But these principles were decided on
before the shop opened, they are why a lot of us are here
and have been consistent in informing our decisions. Read
more... |
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The Glebelands - Unicorn model - A Cooperative Approach
to Sustainable Urban Food Supply.
Despite the recent interest in food miles and local
food, only a very small fraction of the food consumed in
Britain travels less than 30 miles. Glebelands is a pioneering
urban market garden project in Sale that supplies Unicorn,
reducing this distance to less than 5 miles. Read
more...
If you think shopping transactions would be more satisfying
with more independents and less domination from the multiples
visit the excellent www.tescopoly.org
site. Here is a taster from their campaign:
'Tesco now controls 30% of the grocery market in the
UK. In 2005, the supermarket chain announced over £2
billion in profits. Growing evidence indicates that Tesco's
success is partly based on trading practices that are having
serious consequences for suppliers, farmers, overseas workers,
local shops and the environment.' |
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