| Type | Consumer Co-operative |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (Wholesale) |
| Founded | 1867 |
| Headquarters | 220 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 OLS |
| Key people | Maurice Austin, President Tony Gudgeon, Chief Executive |
| Products | Grocer, Department Store, Funeral Director, Travel Agent |
| Website | www.chelmsfordstar.coop |
Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society Limited is a consumer co-operative in the United Kingdom. It is a registered Industrial and Provident Society,[1] a member of the Co-operative Union Ltd., the Co-operative Retail Trading Group, the Co-operative Travel Trading Group and a corporate member of Co-operative Group Ltd. (formerly Co-operative Wholesale Society), the largest consumer co-operative in the world.
The Society was founded in Chelmsford, mid Essex in 1867 with the intention of becoming "the Star of the County". According to the International Co-operative Alliance, “A co-operative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically controlled enterprise.”[2] It operates supermarkets, Quadrant department stores, funeral directors and travel agents. Membership is open to all residents of the Society's trading area, with members receiving a share of the profits in the form of dividend.
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