about

About Us

In a profit-driven world we are the difference.

Your Co-op is a family of businesses operated by The Midcounties Co-operative, and we’re proud to do things differently. We are owned by over 700,000 members and our members, colleagues and communities are at the very heart and centre of everything we do. Our 150-year history and heritage makes us who we are today; we are proud of our journey and growth as a society.

When you join our Co-operative, you support us to make a positive impact and together we can really make a difference.

Join us today and discover a more co-operative way of doing business.

Our DOES Values:

Democracy

Democracy is at the heart of our business. We are owned and run by our members. They elect our Board of Directors, who set the direction our Society takes. Our members have their say at our Annual General Meeting – meeting face to face with the Board and executive team and voting on issues which affect the business. No changes are passed without their agreement.

Openness

Openness is the cornerstone of our Society. We are committed to a climate of equal influence where everyone is free to share their views. Working closely with colleagues, customers and members, we give everyone a seat at the table. Trust is at the heart of our business, and our dealings with others are always honest and transparent.

Equality

Equality - Every member, customer and colleague has a role to play in our co-operative - and a contribution to make.

We treat everyone fairly and equally while recognising and respecting difference and diversity. As an equal opportunities’ employer, we strive to build an inclusive working environment for all.

Social Responsibility

Many companies claim to be socially responsible – but for co-operatives like us, this goes further. Social Responsibility is at the heart of our movement. It’s an everyday driving force for our business through focusing on the environmental sustainability and social values.

  • 1844

  • 1883

  • 1888

  • 1919

  • 1949

  • 1991

  • 1994

  • 1999

  • 2002

  • 2005

  • 2011

  • 2013

  • 2015

  • 2018

  • 2019

  • 1844

    1844

    The Rochdale Pioneers launch the first successful retail Co-operative Society.

  • 1883

    1883

    The Co-operative Women’s Guild is created, to promote opportunities for women within the movement.

  • 1888

    1888

    The mid to late 19th Century sees the emergence of several new Co-operatives, including Swindon, Gloucester, Walsall, Cinderford and Oxford.

  • 1919

    1919

    Expansion and growth meant new trading premises opened throughout the early 20th Century – many of which are still existing Midcounties stores.

  • 1949

    1949

    Societies adapt to change and expand into wider markets; Walsall and District Co-operative sell television sets for the first time!

  • 1991

    1991

    Oxford and Swindon Co-operative merges with Gloucester Co-operative.

  • 1994

    1994

    Societies across the country celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Co-operative Movement

  • 1999

    1999

    Throughout the 1990s, both Co-operatives continue to expand their trading areas, opening new Food stores and Travel branches.

  • 2002

    2002

    Oxford, Swindon and Gloucester Co-operative becomes the first UK co-operative to own and run a Childcare facility.

  • 2005

    2005

    Oxford, Swindon & Gloucester Co-operatives merges with West Midlands to create ‘The Midcounties Co-operative’.

  • 2011

    2011

    The two Head Office sites in Oxford and Walsall are consolidated into one main office, with the move to our current Warwick Head Office.

  • 2013

    2013

    Our first Green Pioneers programme is launched to partner with schools, which aims to increase and teach environmental awareness amongst young people.

  • 2015

    2015

    The Midcounties Co-operative celebrates its 10th birthday. In the same year, we received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development.

  • 2018

    2018

    The Phone Co-op merges with The Midcounties Co-operative, allowing the Society to branch into the telecoms sector.

  • 2019

    2019

    The Midcounties Co-operative signs up its 700,000th member.