the Co-operative Movement
/ðə ˌkəʊ ˈɒpərətɪv muːvmənt/
/ðə ˌkəʊ ˈɑːpərətɪv muːvmənt/
- an international movement that aims to encourage people to produce, buy and sell things together, and to share the profits. The movement started in northern England in the 19th century when poor working people started giving regular small amounts of money so that, as a group, they could buy food, clothes, etc. for less than a single person could. Some members worked for the Movement making these goods.