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What's a Consumer Co-op?
A consumer co-op is a business that's owned by its customers. Customer-owners are called "members."
Business owned by its customers!
A consumer co-op is a business that's 100% owned by its customers, not shareholders. Customer-owners are called "members."
Customer-owned!
Customers get all the profits!
A consumer co-op pays out all profits to its members in proportion to their transactions with it. They can be measured in dollars or frequency. Pay-outs are in the form of dividends.
Customers govern the business!
Members democratically govern their co-op on a "one member, one vote" basis. Members vote on all major business decisions, like electing the board of directors.
How consumer co-ops typically get started!
1. Business plan, members, and funding
A consumer co-op uses a business plan to form an association of members and collect membership fees to meet initial capital needs.
Some consumer co-ops in the wild!
More info on co-ops!
Customers aren't liable as owners!
A consumer co-op is a separate legal entity from its members, so members are not responsible for any liability, obligation, or commitment their co-op takes on in the conduct of business.
2. Provide services to members and grow
A consumer co-op then deploys initial capital to provide services to its members and grow the business according to the business plan.
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