Cooperative business

A cooperative business, or co-op, is an organization owned and operated by its members, who share a common interest or need. Members collectively make decisions and benefit from the co-op’s services or profits. Examples include grocery co-ops, where members buy groceries at cost, or worker co-ops, where employees own and manage their workplace. The primary goal is to serve member needs rather than maximize profits for outside investors. Co-ops promote democratic control, with decisions made on a one-member, one-vote basis, fostering a sense of shared ownership and mutual support among members.