About co-operatives

From the outside, a co-operative may look like any other business. It’s what goes on inside that makes it different.

Co-operatives are businesses owned and run by and for their members, whether they are customers, employees or residents. As well as giving members an equal say and share of the profits, co-operatives act together to build a better world through co-operation. What is a co-operative?

There are over 5,933  independent co-operatives in the UK. From football to fashion, health care to housing, community owned shops to credit unions, and wind farms to web design; co-operatives work in all parts of the economy.

Co-operatives are not just supermarkets and funeral services – although these are amongst the most successful co-operatives found on the high street. You probably use co-operatives in your daily life that you aren’t even aware of.

Across the UK, co-operatives are owned by 13.5 million people – and these numbers keep on growing.

Read the Co-operative Economy 2012