Society for Co-operative Studies Bulletin 12,15-18

_{Bulletin 12 (Mar 1971)} 

Abstract

The shortage, both current and prospective, of capital for co-operative trade development by investment in fixed assets, mainly shops, is justifiably viewed as a major problem. The co-operative movement, despite the closing of many unsuitable, mainly small, shops in recent years, still operates with about 13,000 shops. number of large (some very large) modern stores, almost all selling both food and non-food in varying proportions according to type, size and location. The questions: (a) What capital shall we have available for the next 5 years? (b) What are our needs? and (c) What policies do we need to close the gap? are very pertinent and this conference paper provides an overview of the challenges for co-operative societies in the UK .