Journal of Co-operative Studies, 50(3), 24-26

Abstract

In answer to some of Hughes’ argument, our next paper provides an alternative view. S. P. Clarke decries the need to supersize the sector. Rather he asks a series of questions linked to size, and if not super-societies then what, and points to the simplicity of focus on a lack of size rather than a surfeit of good policy. He advocates that the “doctrine of ‘Get Big’” be replaced by “Be Better” with a focus on internal efficiencies and good practice, which supports a range of societies of “adequate” size. There are more than echoes of continuing debate in UK’s retail sector today, where The Co-operative lies in sixth place in the top ten of largest supermarket chains (BBC, 2017; IGD Retail Analysis, 2017).