The Co-operative Group has been presented with a Queen's Award in recognition of its business practices including its position on Fairtrade products.
The award for Enterprise in the Sustainable Development category enables the retail group to use the award emblem for five years.
The group was also praised for its work to reduce the impact of transport and packaging.
Chief executive Martin Beaumont said: "I am absolutely delighted that the group has been recognised by the Queen in this way for all the important work that we are doing in the area of sustainable development and Fairtrade.
"This is something that we should all be very proud of and it was a great honour to receive the award on behalf of the group."