Business Model

Responsible and Sustainable Enterprises

Consumer co-operatives have adopted modern techniques in order to create undertakings which are the most suitable to render a high quality service. Today, Euro Coop's member organisations count more than 36,000 sales points across Europe; these sales points range from the local shop, often the last remaining store for the community in certain remote regions of Europe, to the hypermarket in urban shopping areas.

On the retail market, consumer co-operatives are a major actor. Put together, the global annual turnover of Euro Coop's members amounts to more than 79 billion euros.

Stemming from their values, any activities of consumer co-operatives are naturally based on the principle of Social Responsibility. While emphasis is placed on satisfying the needs and expectations of the members, consumer co-operatives favour a sustainable approach towards the activities of production and distribution taking into account the sustainable development of local communities, environmental concerns, and the health and safety of consumers.

Euro Coop member organisations are currently employing over 500,000 people across Europe. Special emphasis is attributed to their personal political and economic involvement within the co-operative and each one's individual development.

Euro Coop represents and upholds the structure and ethics of the consumer co-operative enterprise at European level. This activity is achieved in particular, by its participation in forums of the European Union and its collaboration with Cooperatives Europe and other stakeholders.