what is a co-operative?
A co-operative is a group of people acting together to meet the common needs and aspirations of its members, sharing ownership and making decisions democratically.
Co-operatives are not about making big profits for shareholders, but creating value for customers ‑ this is what gives co‑operatives a unique character, and influences our values and principles.
a world of co-operatives
There are many co-operative businesses throughout the world, of which The Co-operative Group is the largest consumer co-operative.
We are a group of businesses that share the same values and principles. Whether it’s the environment, animal rights, fair trade or genetically modified food, we want to make sure you can do business with us without worrying about where your money is going.
There are many other types of co-operative such as housing, worker, credit unions, agricultural and even political.
For more information about the Co-operative Movement in the UK including how to set up a co‑operative, visit www.co‑operatives-uk.coop.
For more information on the International Co-operative Movement, visit the website of the International Co‑operative Alliance at http://www.ica.coop/.
