A Co-operative Commission examined the
position of the consumer co-operative movement.
Its report, launched in 2001, made a series of
recommendations which have helped consolidate
the renaissance of the consumer movement.
Co-operative societies have come together through
mergers and by the United Nations International
Year of Co-operatives in 2012, the Co-operative
Group accounted for almost 80 per cent of UK
co-operative retail trade.Growth in food outlets included the purchase of
the formerly independent Somerfield chain by the
Co-operative Group. The Britannia Building Society
joined the Co-operative Banking group in 2009 -
significantly expanding the range of co-operative
financial services. Membership grew following the
introduction of card based dividend with the
Co-operative Group setting a target of
20 million members
by 2020.