Co-op has published its first analysis of the gender pay gap across its supplier base, finding the average gap is lower than the UK benchmark but women remain underrepresented in senior roles.

The convenience retailer analysed data from more than 200 direct and indirect suppliers, finding a mean gender pay gap of 7.5 per cent compared with the current UK benchmark of 11.5 per cent.

It also found that 67per cent of suppliers reported a median gender pay gap below the UK benchmark. However, women held only around a third of senior leadership positions on average across suppliers.

The analysis, carried out with Weave Analytics, combined publicly available gender pay gap data from 237 suppliers with additional analysis of strategic partners.

Co-op said the findings showed progress was being made but varied between suppliers, particularly in data collection, reporting and action planning. It also noted that a smaller pay gap does not necessarily mean women are well represented in senior positions.

Co-op chief commercial officer Imran Rasul said: “We know there is more work to do to close the gender pay gap, and that means looking beyond our own organisation.

This analysis gives us a clearer view of where progress is being made across our supplier base, and where there is more to do.

“Our focus now is on working with suppliers to share practical interventions, support action planning and help accelerate progress over time. Collaboration across supply chains is essential if we are to drive meaningful change.”

Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter