Directorate of distance education

Co-Ops are Committed to their Communities
In addition to returning cash to their members, retail co-ops are 
continually demonstrating their commitment to, and confidence in, their 
communities by improving their facilities. 

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These facilities include:
➢ Food stores
➢ Agro centres
➢ Home centres
➢ Bulk petroleum/cardlock facilities
➢ Gas bar/convenience store/car wash complexes
Last year, retail co-ops spent approximately $150 million on new 
facilities and upgrading or expanding existing facilities. Over the last ten 
years, retail co-ops have spent in excess of $1 billion on similar projects.
Retail Cooperatives
Retail cooperatives sell consumer goods to members and non-
members. Members enjoy discounts, patronage refunds, or both. Patronage 
refunds are a percentage of the total amount of money a member has spent 
on purchases over a specific period of time. 
Retail cooperatives also offer control. Because the members elect 
representatives to the board of directors and can participate in general 
membership meetings, consumers control the operation and policies of 
the cooperative.
Franchise Systems
What is a franchise? A franchise is a right granted to an individual 
or group to market a company’s goods or services within a certain territory 
or location. Some examples of today’s popular franchises are McDonald’s, 
Subway, Domino’s Pizza, and the UPS Store. 
There are many different types of franchises. Many people 
associate only fast food businesses with franchising. In fact, there are 
over 120 different types of franchise businesses available today, including 
automotive, cleaning & maintenance, health & fitness, financial services, 
and pet-related franchises, just to name a few. 

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