£16m Dividend a Christmas cracker

CO-OP Group Dividend cardholders and community projects are in for a cracking Christmas, thanks to a multi-million pound "Divi" payout from the world&#039s biggest consumer co-operative.
Almost &#163 16 million has gone to Co-op Dividend cardholders this week, while community projects are set to benefit to the tune of &#163 561,000.
The bumper pre-Christmas pay-out is on top of the &#163 14 million paid out to the Group&#039s Co-op Dividend cardholders last May, when local good causes also received a &#163 545,000 boost.
This month&#039s Dividend mailout includes exclusive deals for cardholders and the chance to earn extra Dividend with leading household names such as BT, RAC and BSM.
Holidays booked with the Co-op Group-owned Travelcare business already qualify for a one per cent Dividend reward. Now the Group is extending this to cover Funeral Pre-Payment plans booked through its funeral arm, Co-operative Funeralcare, which will also earn a one per cent Dividend.
The top Dividend earners this time around include Yvonne Scott from the Queens Hotel in Kirkwall on the Orkneys, who will enjoy a &#163 606 Christmas "Divi", and a shopper in Steyning, West Sussex, who will receive a &#163 315 stocking filler.
Meanwhile a cardholder in Omagh, Northern Ireland, will get a &#163 281 Christmas bonus and a Co-op customer in Barmouth, Gwynedd, will be &#163 263 better off.
The Co-op Group&#039s Dividend initiative pays twice as much on average as other food retailers&#039 schemes. Cardholders earn cash back on all their purchases ? triple Dividend of 3p for every &#163 1 spent on Co-op Brand goods and fresh foods, including fresh produce and fresh meat, and 1p Dividend for every &#163 1 spent on all other groceries. It is the only loyalty card to offer customers a cash return.
Ged Carter, General Manager, Retail Marketing for the Co-operative Group told the News: "This has been another year of achievement for the Co-operative Group, which is now firmly established as the UK leader in top-up food shopping.
"The Co-op Dividend scheme is an important way of thanking our customers for their loyalty. Another important element is the Community Dividend, which will pay out &#163 561,00 to deserving local causes this time around, bringing total Community Dividend payment to date to &#163 4.8 million."