The patron of husbandry., 1879-11-15
COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI, NOVEMBER - 1S7o
THE ENGLISH COOPERATIVE
STORES

STORES.
1t is little singular that Americans
have never attempted to start co-opera-
tive stores, which enterprises have thriven
so wonderfully in England. The people
of this country are generally very quick
to adapt to their own uses the money-sav-
ing contrivances of foreigners, but in the
matter of cooperative mercantile estab-
lishments-one of the best arrangements
for saving money ever devised-they have
never taken kindly to the idea. 1t is pos
sible that Americans, while they may be
as honest as Englishmen, have less conf
dence in their fellow men than our British
cousins. In this country man is full of dis
trust, and though the rule is not without
exceptions, he is very apt to look upon ev-
cry other man as sharper not to be trust
ed too far. In the purely cooperative
store the shareholders must have the most
absolute confidence in the honesty and in
tegrity of everybody connected with its
management; and the managers must also
preserve that confidence by their actions.
In Utah there are the nearest approaches
to the English CO operative stores to be
found in America; yet they amount SIM
ply to joint stock companies or associa-
tons. The only real difference between
them and ordinary mercantile houses is
that the co cooperative institutions have nu-
merous stockholders, whose self-interest
lead them to trade at these stores, whereas
the private stores are owned by one or few
individuals who share the gains and losses.
The business of all is conducted upon the
same general principles of merchandiz-
ing. The cooperative system as applied
in England is different An association
is formed usually of persons engaged in
the SAME line of business, or work, as fac
tory operatives, iron makers, etc. The
stock is divided among these people and
only they can obtain the advantages of the
system: that is in order to buy goods at
cooperative store, one must be a share
holder in the concern. A comparatively
small capital is required, for large stocks
and general assortment of goods are not
necessary to be carried, the intention be-
ing only to satisfy the requirements of Gus
toners whose general wants are in the
main alike and known. An agent of the
company buys at wholesale at the lowest
sand in turning the goods over to the
consumer every effort is made to keep
down the cost to the lowest figure that the
necessities of distribution will permit.
Custom is not sought after, as that is al
ready obtained and is regular: hence, there
is no need to spend money for conspicu
Gus quarters, or in attractive decoration,
advertising or other ways for drawing
buyers There is no competition with its
attendant expenses. The number of sales
men is also no larger than is absolutely
necessary, and high-priced clerks whose
pleasing manners and Fascinating ways"
draw customers are no better than the
cheaper man who knows how to handle
the yardstick and tie up groceries. There
is no fear that customer will be lost if he
has to wait before being served, as the
| cuAtomer is certain not nowhere else to
| buy what he wants. The goods are not
| sent home to the buyer, and thus another
considerable expense is thus avoided. A
person sometimes attributes the sending of
his Purchases home to the liberality of the
merchant, but this is a mistake. The de-
livery wagons are paid for, and your pro-
| portion of the cost will be in your bill
| on also contribute towards elegant win
dows, handsome polished counters, or
namental painting, and all the other at
fractions that the merchant must present
| in order to induce custom. 1t will be seer
that in the English cooperative stores a
vast saving is made in the cost of goods to
the customer The stock holder actually
obtains his supplies at a price approxima
ting the wholesale cost. A small percen
tage is put upon them to cover the ligh
expense for handling, and should there
be anything left in the company's treas
ury at the end of the quarter or year, it il
as dividend to the stock holders. NJ
reserve fund is needed, because there art
no impending losses to guard against o
provide for. 1t is said that the traders a
these stores obtain their goods at a reduc
ton of from IS to 80 per cent on their or
dinary retail price in other establishments
The advantages of the system are so ap
parent that it is a wonder it has not beel
adopted in American cities, and particu
larly in the mining and factory district.
where men and women cannot afford
pay for the "style" that the merchant
must keep up about his store.-SaH Lax
:. Herald