A long history

We’re a co-operative. In 1844, a group of 28 workers who were tired of seeing their families, neighbours and friends exploited at work, and at the hands of unscrupulous shopkeepers, decided it was time for a new kind of business. The Rochdale Equitable Co-operative Society was formed. And the modern co-operative movement was born.

This was a simple beginning: the Rochdale Pioneers simply sold such basics as tea, flour, butter and candles; but it was how they ran the business that made them different. They invited their customers to become members for £1 and then gave them back a share in the profits – the dividend payment fondly referred to as the 'divi'.

Since then, there have been a number of milestones, from the forming of Co-operative Insurance Society in 1867 to the creation of self-service stores in the 1940s, a revolutionary concept at the time. Our ethical principles have long been part of our business: we were one of the first businesses to ban animal testing on household and toiletry products back in 1985; and the Co-operative Bank was the first bank to introduce a customer-led ethical policy in 1992.

Then in 2000 the Co-operative Group was formed through the merger of CWS and CRS. In 2007 we merged with United Co-operatives. We have a clear strategy for the future. And one thing’s for sure – although our principles will never change, our business is changing, and fast.