26 June 2014
Co-operatives UK has released it’s report on the Co-operative Economy in the UK.
Download the report on the Co-operatives UK website: The Co-operative Economy 2014
“The co-operative sector is in good health. While it has undoubtedly been an awful year for the UK’s largest consumer co-operative, The Co-operative Group, away from this one business, the wider co-operative economy has proved dynamic and resilient. Up and down the country, over 6,000 co-operative enterprises are operating healthy and sustainable businesses, trading ahead of the economy at large.
As the nation continues on the path towards financial recovery, the co-operative sector has well and truly played its part, contributing over £36 billion to the economy. It is noteworthy that there are more member owners of co-ops, just over 15 million, than there are direct shareholders of businesses in the UK. This is the competitive advantage of the co-operative model; by sharing ownership, you give those involved in the business a share in its success”.