The Co-operative Group

The modern co-operative movement evolved from the activities of the Rochdale Pioneers in 1844. The basic idea was that each co-operative would run a shop which sold local produce and that each member of the co-operative had shares in the shop. The manufacturing of goods to sell would also provide employment for the co-operative's members. Co-operatives were not just economic in nature; there was also a social dimension. They could help members improve their own conditions and create a sense of community. Co-operative societies were owned and regulated by their members.

The Co-operative Wholesale Society Limited united all the individual co-operatives in a federation for the wholesale buying and manufacturing of goods. The North of England Co-operative Wholesale Society Limited was created in 1864 and the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society Limited in 1868. In 1872 the 'North of England' was dropped from the title of the organisation and the Co-operative Wholesale Society represented the whole of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland with its base in Manchester. It merged with the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society in 1973. The co-operatives became involved in a wide range of activities from printing and publishing to agriculture and piano manufacture. By the 1950's there were approximately 10 million 'co-operators' in the United Kingdom.

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