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Co-operative GroupThe Co-operative Group is a United Kingdom consumer co-operative, one of the largest consumer-owned businesses in the world. History The Co-operative Group formed gradually over 140 years from the merger of many independent retail societies. In 1863, twenty years after the Rochdale Pioneers opened their co-operative, the North of England Co-operative Society was launched by 300 individual co-ops across Yorkshire and Lancashire. By 1872, it had become known as the Co-operative Wholesale Society (CWS). Through the 20th century, small societies merged with CWS, such as the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society and the South Suburban Society. The "Co-op" revolutionised food retailing, with the "divi" and the "divi number" being an integral part of British life. By the 1990s, it was perceived that CWS and the co-operative movement generally was outmoded and inefficient. Its share of the market had declined considerably. CWS sold its factories to Andrew Regan in 1994. Regan returned in 1997 with a 1.2 billion bid for CWS. There were allegations of "carpet-bagging" - new members who joined simply to make money from the sale - and more seriously fraud and commerical leaks. After a lengthy battle, Regan's bid was seen off and two senior CWS executives were dismissed and imprisoned for fraud. Regan was cleared of charges. The episode recharged CWS and its membership base. Tony Blair's Co-operative Commission, chaired by John Monks, made major recommendations for the co-operative movement, including the organisation and marketing of the retail societies. It was in this climate that, in 2000, CWS merged with the UK's second largest society, Co-operative Retail Society, and the next year became known as the Co-operative Group. Its headquarters are in Manchester. Businesses Other independent societies, such as United Co-op, have close relationships with the Group. Senior staff from the smaller societies make up a large element of the national board. The Group manages the Co-operative Retail Trading Group, which produces and sources goods for the supermarkets of most of the societies under a common brand. There is a similar purchasing group (CTTG) for co-operative travel agents. The businesses of the Group include: - The Co-op supermarkets and convenience stores.
- 39 department stores.
- Co-operative Financial Services, including the Co-operative Bank, smile bank and Co-operative Insurance Services.
- Co-operative Funeralcare, the UK's leading funeral director
- farmcare, the UK's largest commercial farmer
- Co-op Pharmacy, the fourth largest pharmacy operator
- Priory motors
- Syncro, building and facilities management
- Travelcare, the UK's largest independent travel agent
- Shoefayre (an independent footwear retailer co-operative, part-owned by the Group)
- Several new online businesses, including DVD rental, wine and flowers
The Group has 25% of the co-operative retail business in the UK and substantial shares in certain wider markets, including funerals and pharmacies. In food retail, it has 5% of the UK market, in approximately sixth place, down from 30% in the 1950s, with much of the rest of the market taken by individual independent shops. Co-operative practices As a co-operative, the Group places importance on ethical and transparent trading and reporting, and democratic accountability and participation. Trading areas are overseen by 15-member Area Committees which have annual elections and meetings for all members. These elect members onto regional boards, which also meet annually to report to all members in the region. A national board includes directors elected from regional boards, plus representatives of other societies. Individual stores may have member forums also. In 2004, the traditional "divi" - a dividend for members in the supermarkets - returned to distribute profits from all parts of the business to members. As the UK's largest co-operative, the Group plays a key part in the co-operative movement. It is the biggest subscriber to Co-operatives UK and the Co-operative Party, with members electing representatives onto local Party units. It is also a major sponsor of new co-operative ventures, local initiatives through Co-operative Action and Fairtrade promotion. External links
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