The Cooperative

A cooperative (co-op) is a business owned and operated by its members, who use its services or products. Members share in decision-making and profits, emphasizing mutual benefit rather than profit maximization. Co-ops exist in various sectors like agriculture, retail, housing, and finance, providing goods or services at fair prices, often to serve the needs of members rather than maximize shareholder returns. They foster community involvement, democratic control, and equitable distribution of earnings, making them effective models for collective enterprise and underserved markets.