Retail
Retailers owned by the customers who buy their products and services are known as consumers' co-operatives.
Examples include The Co-operative Group and Scottish Midland Co-operative Society (Scotmid).
The model spans industries including healthcare, financial services and utilities.
Consumers' co-operatives are set up to serve the needs of the people who use them by providing quality products and services cost-effectively. Investing in the community and sourcing ethically are also key aims.
Communities in rural areas may run their local shop or post office through a consumers' co-operative, helping to retain local services.
Employee-owned retailers share many of the same principles and values. John Lewis Partnership, for example, is co-owned by its 69,000 Partners, who each have a voice in the business and share in its profits.