The Co-operative Group - Businesses

Businesses

The group has 85% of the co-operative retail business in the UK and substantial shares in wider markets, including travel, funerals and pharmacies.

The Co-operative Food business is the largest division of the group with over 3,000 stores of various sizes and the biggest geographical spread of any retailer. The stores are mainly in the convenience and medium sized supermarket sector, with some larger superstores.

Co-operative Travel operates 450 travel agencies made up of 'Travelcare' and 'Co-op Travel'. The business has direct sales channels through telephone, home workers, and the internet. In July 2009 the business launched its own tour operation as a joint venture with Cosmos Holidays. On 8 October 2010 it was announced that Co-operative Travel and the Thomas Cook Group of travel agencies were to be transferred into a joint venture owned 70% by Thomas Cook Group and 30% by the Co-operative Group creating the UK's largest travel network. The merger was referred to the Office of Fair Trading as a result of monopoly concerns.

The Co-operative Funeralcare is the UK's largest funeral director with over 800 funeral homes, many of which retain their private names whilst others operate under the co-operative brand.

The Co-operative Pharmacy is the third largest community pharmacy group in the UK with nearly 800 branches. It has a nationwide presence.

For many years, the CWS's financial subsidiaries were separately managed. In 2002 they were brought together under an umbrella society, Co-operative Financial Services, the Co-operative Banking Group (CBG), which is made up of The Co-operative Insurance and The Co-operative Bank, including the internet bank Smile, and the former Britannia Building Society; it has over four and a half million customers.

Co-operative Legal Services is a national legal services provider. Services cover writing wills, probate, conveyancing, legal assistance with accidents and personal injuries and employment law. The group announced the formation of this division, based in Bristol, in April 2006.

Co-operative Farms manages over 70,000 acres (280 km2) of land across Great Britain which provides an increasing number of products, such as soft fruit, potatoes, flour and cider, to Co-operative Food stores allowing the group to further differentiate itself from competitors. The Co-operative is the largest farmer in the UK.

The Group has interests which span retailing, property investment and land development. Co-operative Clothing design, manufacture and distribute workwear, businesswear and uniforms for catering, construction, beauty and most other industries under its own label. The Co-operative Electrical sells electrical products, from kitchenware and white goods to home entertainment. The Co-operative Motor Group is one of the top 50 motor dealers in the UK and represents ten motor manufacturers.