Retail Services

Cooperative retail business is a commercial activity in which a cooperative organization sells goods or services directly to members or the public, usually in small quantities. Its goals include:

• • Offering affordable prices to members,
  • Ensuring product availability, especially essential goods,
  • Supporting local producers or member-owned supply chains,
  • Returning profits (surpluses) to members in the form of dividends or rebates. 

     

    Types of Cooperative Retail Businesses:
    • Consumer cooperatives – owned by customers/members; e.g., grocery stores, minimarkets.
    • Multipurpose cooperatives – provide retail services as well as other services such as agricultural equipment, and more.
    • Agricultural cooperatives – sell agricultural inputs (seeds, fertilizers) and sometimes manage the sale of farm produce.