The Co-operative has announced that its membership has soared since the re-introduction of its dividend scheme a year ago.

The group said its membership has grown by 25 percent to 2.5 million.

The scheme allows members to receive an annual share of the profits based on their trading with the group’s entire range of businesses that includes convenience stores, funeral homes, pharmacies and travel outlets, as well as the group’s bank and insurance company.

Last month, Midcounties Co-operative became the first Co-operative society to adopt the membership scheme with around 220,000 of its members being issues with membership cards. The members can use their cards at Co-operative Group outlets displaying the membership logo.

Jemima Tomlinson, the Co-operative’s Director of Brand said: “The growth in members since last year clearly demonstrates that many consumers share our belief in self-help, social responsibility and democracy and like us, are prepared to take a stand on consumer and social issues.

“We are showing consumers that there is a clear alternative, one which is ultimately owned and controlled by them. This has particular resonance at a time when communities are becoming increasingly dominated by a number of large and impersonal businesses.”

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