THE REVIVAL: PART 1

Abstract

The imminent demise of the Co‐operative movement has been frequently predicted. Critics point to its failure to hold its market share; Co‐ops took 20% of the food trade in the 1950s, but this had fallen to 11% by the early 1970s. But in recent years the Co‐op has reformed itself. This article considers how and why the Co‐operative movement managed to reverse its fortunes in the late 1960s and early 1970s; this helps to throw light on the process of change within retailing and the problems that occur when a retailer like the Co‐op stands aloof from the rest of the retail market. Part 2 of this feature, on future prospects for the movement, will be published in a forthcoming issue.

Citation

Bamfield, J.A.N. (1978), "THE REVIVAL: PART 1", Retail and Distribution Management, Vol. 6 No. 2, pp. 18-23. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb017933