"DPNQBSBUJWFBOBMZTJTPG DPPQFSBUJWFTFDUPSTJO4DPUMBOE 'JOMBOE 4XFEFOBOE4XJU[FSMBOE "VUIPS+PIOTUPO#JSDIBMM /PWFNCFS A comparative analysis of co-operative sectors in Scotland, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland CONTENTS WHO WE ARE ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 3 WHAT WE OFFER.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 3 FOREWORD ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4 Author profile........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5 Acknowledgements..............................................................................................................................................................................................5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY........................................................................................................................................................................................6 Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................................................................................10 How to classify co-operatives.........................................................................................................................................................................10 A general comparison of the four countries................................................................................................................................................11 What explains the differences?.......................................................................................................................................................................12 Chapter 2: CONSUMER CO-OPERATIVES: RETAIL .......................................................................................................................................17 Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................................................................17 Consumer Co-operatives: Retail - Switzerland.............................................................................................................................................17 Consumer Co-operatives: Retail - Sweden ....................................................................................................................................................18 Consumer Co-operatives: Retail - Finland.....................................................................................................................................................19 Consumer Co-operatives: Retail - Scotland ..................................................................................................................................................20 Conclusion............................................................................................................................................................................................................22 Chapter 3: CONSUMER CO-OPERATIVES: FINANCIAL SERVICES.............................................................................................................23 Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................................................................23 Consumer Co-operatives: Financial Services - Switzerland.......................................................................................................................24 Consumer Co-operatives: Financial Services - Finland...............................................................................................................................24 Consumer Co-operatives: Financial Services - Sweden ..............................................................................................................................25 Consumer Co-operatives: Financial Services - Scotland ............................................................................................................................25 Conclusion............................................................................................................................................................................................................27 Chapter 4: CONSUMER CO-OPERATIVES: HOUSING ..................................................................................................................................28 Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................................................................28 Consumer Co-operatives: Housing - Switzerland .......................................................................................................................................29 Consumer Co-operatives: Housing - Sweden...............................................................................................................................................29 Consumer Co-operatives: Housing - Finland ...............................................................................................................................................30 Consumer Co-operatives: Housing - Scotland.............................................................................................................................................30 Conclusion............................................................................................................................................................................................................31 Chapter 5: CONSUMER CO-OPERATIVES: UTILITIES....................................................................................................................................32 Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................................................................32 Consumer Co-operatives: Utilities - Switzerland .........................................................................................................................................32 1 A comparative analysis of co-operative sectors in Scotland, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland Consumer Co-operatives: Utilities - Finland .................................................................................................................................................33 Consumer Co-operatives: Utilities - Denmark..............................................................................................................................................33 Consumer Co-operatives: Utilities - Scotland...............................................................................................................................................34 Conclusion............................................................................................................................................................................................................35 Chapter 6: CONSUMER CO-OPERATIVES: LEISURE SERVICES..................................................................................................................36 Chapter 7: CONSUMER CO-OPERATIVES: PUBLIC SERVICES....................................................................................................................37 Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................................................................37 Consumer Co-operatives: Public Services - Sweden....................................................................................................................................37 Consumer Co-operatives: Public Services - Scotland..................................................................................................................................38 Conclusion............................................................................................................................................................................................................39 Chapter 8: PRODUCER CO-OPERATIVES: FARMING AND FORESTRY.....................................................................................................40 Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................................................................40 Producer Co-operatives: Farming and Forestry - Switzerland .................................................................................................................41 Producer Co-operatives: Farming and Forestry - Sweden.........................................................................................................................42