Consumer Cooperatives

Consumer cooperatives are owned by the people who do business there. By combining member demand, a co-op can provide better availability, selection, pricing, or delivery of products or services to individual consumers. In the U.S., credit unions and grocery co-ops are the most visible consumer cooperatives. The model can also be used in other sectors such as utilities including telephone and electrical services, mutual insurance, childcare or gas stations.

For more information, resources, and examples of consumer cooperatives, please click on the appropriate sector:

• Credit Unions
• Childcare Cooperatives
• Grocery Cooperatives
• Healthcare Cooperatives
• Housing Cooperatives
• Insurance Cooperatives
• Utility Cooperatives (electric, telephone, water)