Consumer Co-operatives
Consumer co-operatives are businesses owned by their customers. Members earn a dividend based on how much they spend with the co-op, creating a direct link between purchasing and reward. The best-known UK example is the Co-operative Group, but hundreds of smaller retail co-ops exist.
How It Works
Members earn a dividend (typically a percentage of spend) each year. They elect a board at the AGM and vote on major decisions. Consumer co-ops typically have ethical purchasing policies that conventional retailers do not.
Legal Structure
Large consumer co-ops are registered as IPS with the FCA, often operating under the Co-operative Code. Smaller societies use similar structures. The Co-operative Group also has a separate listed company for its retail operations.
Consumer Co-ops in the UK
The Phone Co-op
Sheffield, England
The Phone Co-op is a consumer co-operative providing mobile, broadband, and business telecoms services. It is the only U…
FeaturedCo-operative Group
Manchester, England
The Co-operative Group is the UK's largest consumer co-operative, operating grocery stores, funeral services, legal serv…
Midcounties Co-operative
Coventry, England
Midcounties Co-operative is one of the largest independent co-operative societies in the UK, operating food stores, trav…
East of England Co-operative Society
Ipswich, England
The East of England Co-operative Society operates food stores, funeral homes, and pharmacies across Suffolk, Norfolk, Es…
Central England Co-operative
Lichfield, England
Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent co-operative societies in the UK, operating food stores, …
Scotmid Co-operative Society
Edinburgh, Scotland
Scotmid is Scotland's largest independent co-operative society, operating food stores, funeral homes, and post offices a…
Southern Co-op
Portsmouth, England
Southern Co-op operates food stores and funeral homes across the south of England, from Berkshire to the Isle of Wight. …
Radstock Co-operative Society
Radstock, Somerset, England
Radstock Co-operative Society is one of the UK's smallest independent consumer co-ops, operating a network of food store…
Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society
Chelmsford, England
Chelmsford Star is one of the few remaining independent local co-operative societies in Essex, operating food stores, fu…
Channel Islands Co-operative Society
St Helier, Jersey, England
The Channel Islands Co-operative Society is the largest retailer in the Channel Islands, operating food stores, travel a…
Heart of England Co-operative Society
Nuneaton, England
Heart of England Co-operative Society operates food stores, funeral homes, and travel agencies across Warwickshire, Leic…
East of England Co-op (Anglia Regional)
Peterborough, England
The East of England Co-operative Society, formerly Anglia Regional Co-operative Society, operates food stores, funeral h…
The Wine Society
Stevenage, England
The Wine Society is the world's oldest wine club and a registered co-operative. Members pay a one-off lifetime share of …
Lincolnshire Co-op
Lincoln, England
Lincolnshire Co-op is an independent consumer co-operative operating food stores, pharmacies, travel branches, funeral h…
Tamworth Co-operative Society
Tamworth, England
Tamworth Co-operative Society is an independent consumer co-op serving Tamworth and nearby communities through food reta…
Allendale Co-operative Society
Allendale, England
Allendale Co-operative Society is a long-established independent village co-op in Northumberland, running a community sh…