Belonging is everything

When you’re part of something different, unique, meaningful, it gives you a real sense of purpose, pride and belonging.

Believing in the value of belonging has shaped our Society since opening our first store in 1919.

It’s why we put purpose before profit every day of the week. It remains at the heart of what we do, today and tomorrow.

Belonging means local shoppers are Co-op owners

Being locally owned we can focus on providing the products and services needed by islanders. We share our success, handing dividend back to local people and reinvesting back into our islands.

Belonging means local producers are partners

We actively look to stock our shelves with local products and are proud to have local producers as partners, in many cases for years and years.

Supporting local is good for our economy and the environment around us. Every year we spend around £11 million with more than 40 local producers. 

Belonging means our communities are supported

Together, we turn profits into lots and lots of donations, funding local community projects, charities, environmental initiatives and good causes. We help those who help others to transform local lives. Around £230,000 is donated to more than 500 local projects every year. 

Belonging is everything

Belonging is also about being inclusive, protecting our environment, supporting sustainability, connecting with others, being listened to, investing in regeneration, encouraging the next generation, having a low digit share number and so much more.

So, belonging means everything to us.

If you haven’t already, why not join us and belong to something special?

The local producers and communities that we work with

Find out more about some of the local producers and community groups that we've worked with over the history of the Society in their stories below.