Co-ops in Scotland
Co-operatives in Scotland make a significant contribution to Scotland’s economy, employing 28,600 and producing just over £4billion in turnover.
These business models are richly diverse, cutting across many locations, business types and economic activities.
Agriculture and retail account for the largest economic contribution in Scotland. Financial services, essentially mutuals and credit unions, are also a major contributor to national wealth.
Employee ownership is also a particularly important business model in terms of turnover and employment.
Key co-operative and employee owned businesses in Scotland include Tullis Russell (paper and board manufacture), WL Gore (fabric manufacture), John Lewis Partnership (retail), Martin Currie (asset management), Co-operative Group (food retail), First Milk (dairy supply), Scotmid (food retail), Scottish Friendly (financial services), Grainfarmers (grain marketing), Britannia Building Society (financial services) and LV (previously Liverpool Victoria, insurance).
Each of these reported a turnover in excess of £100m in 2009.
To find out more about co-operatives in Scotland, visit our research and publications section.
Source: Ekosgen, January 2010