The largest trading sector for co-operatives in the UK is retail. There are 416 retail co-operatives trading in the UK, with a combined turnover of £26.1bn.
But how do co-ops balance their co-operative values and ethics with the need to compete and survive in an ever-evolving, and increasingly competitive market?
Is technology the key to survival? What innovations are out there for retailers? How can co-ops best implement them?
Over the next 12 months, Co-operative News will be working with Dublin-based technology company, Celtech Software to explore this very question, using our Retail Innovation Hub to look at mobile technology and media innovation, as well as online shopping, sustainability issues and more.