Articles in Europe

MIDLANDS Co-op - Britain's second biggest independent society - is in talks with nearby Desborough Co-op concerning a possible merger, which could be completed by early June. Desborough's retailing operation comprises three food stores, two non-food stores and a farm. Midlands Society Chief Executive John Fitzgerald commented: "We are delighted to have entered into talks that could lead to Desborough Society joining the Midlands Co-op family of businesses.

TWO Co-op societies have strengthened their positions in the pharmacy market. The Co-operative Group and United Co-operatives have bought a total of 23 pharmacies across the country, the majority being in Scotland. It is the first time that United has ventured north of the border after purchasing 16 outlets from G Lightfoot and Son Ltd. The Co-operative Group also bought seven pharmacies from Horsburgh Chemists in Edinburgh, which has made them one of the largest pharmacy chains in ...

CO-OP stores up and down the country appear to be in line for a bumper festive season after two of the UK's biggest societies reported record food sales in the run-up to Christmas. Although figures are not yet available from a number of leading societies, preliminary results from the Co-operative Group and East of England Society - Britain's third biggest independent co-op - pointed to a successful and profitable hoiiday period for the Movement.

UK-based co-operative managers and credit union professionals are being urged to enrol for a unique web-based course designed to combine the principles of co-operation with modern, cutting edge management practices. Officially, the three-year courses plus thesis work are based at St Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. But – apart from a compulsory one-week gathering for programme orientation and a study tour to co-operatives in Spain and Italy – all the students meet virtually ...