The first Co-operative Society of the world

On a dark, damp and cold night of 21st December, 1844, in an almost empty warehouse at 31, Toad Road, Rochdale (near Manchester), England, the “Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society”, the first Co-operative Society of the world was born. It was a consumer Society.

Background :

At that time, the weavers working in the cotton mills in England were facing miserable working conditions and low wages. They could not afford the high prices of food and household goods. A group of 28 weavers found a solution.They decided to work together to open their own cheaper store and thus , Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society” as established in 1844.

Achievments :

On the very first night, there were only four thjngs for sale – flour, sugar, oatmeal and butte. Initially, the store used to open for only two nights a week but the sales started growing like anything. Ultimately, it had to open 5 days a week and the store was a successful one.

The Management :

The member’s of the society were committed to democracy, honesty and collective operation. They framed their own democratic principles. They made sure that each member of the co-operative had only one share and one vote , so every member’s family had a say in the decisions made in their business.

The Result :

The Rochdale Pioneers became very popular. The number of such co-operative stores grew quickly and by the year 1900 , 17,00,000 people in England became members of Consumer Co-operatives like pioneers.

In between 1850 & 1895 , more Co-operative societies developed across the world. Not only Co-operative stores, but agricultural Co-operatives, workers’ Co-operatives, co-operative banks and credit societies were thriving.

The cooperators started feeling to band themselves together and set up an international Co-operative movement.