The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1880-06-02
English Cooperative Stores.

It is little singular that Americans nave
never attempted TO start cooperative stores,
which enterprises have thriven so wonder
fully in England The people OF this coun-
try are generally very quick 20 adapt TO
their own use the mOney-saVIng contrIYan-
ces of foreigners, but in the matter Of coop
erative mercantile establishments-one of
the best arrangengements for saving money
ever devised-they have never taken kind
" TO the idea. 1t is possible that Ameri-
cans, while they may be as honest "a En-
glishmen, have less confidence in their fell
low men than our British cousins. In this
country man Is full Of distrust, and though
the rule Is not without exceptions, he Is
very apt to 10 look upon every other man as
a sharper not to be trusted too far. In the
purely cooperative store the shareholders
must have the most absolute confidence in
the honesty and integrity Of every body con
nected with its management; and the man
ayers must also preserve that confidence by
their actions.
In Utah there are the nearest approaches
to the English cooperative stores 20 be
found in America; yet they amount simply
to Joint stock companies or associations.
The only real difference between them and
ordinary mercantile houses l., that the CO.
operative institutions have numerous stock
holders, whose selfiuterest leads them to
trade at these stores, whereas the private
stores are owned by one or few individuals
who share the gains and losses. The bust
ness Of all is conducted upon the same gen
eral principles of merchandising. The CO.
operative system a. applied in England is
different. An association Ia formed, usually
Of persons engaged in the same line OF bust
ness, or work, a. factory 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 shareholder IN the concern. \
comparatively small capital Is required, for
large stocks and general assortment Of goods
are not necessary to be carried, the inten-
ton being only to satisfy the requirements
of customers whose general wants are in the
main alike and known.
An agent Of the company buys at whole
sale al the lowest market rates, and in turn
ing the goods over to the consumer every
effort i made to keep down the cost to the
lowest figure that the necessities Of distri-
button will permit. Custom Is not sought
after, as that is already obtained and Is
regular; hence, there Is no need to spend
money for conspicuous quarters, or in at
tractive decoration, advertising or other
WAYS Of drawing buyers. There Is no com
petition, with its attendant expenses. The
number Of statesmen is also no larger than Is
absolutely necessary, and hIgh-prlced 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 a customer will be lost If he
has to wait before being served, as the Gus
toner Is certain to 90 nowhere else to buy
what he wants. The goods are not sent
home to the buyer and thus another con-
siderable expense is avoided.
A person sometimes attributes the send
ing OF his purchases home to the libesality
Of the merchant, but this IS mistake. The
delivery wagons are paid for, and your pro
portion of the cost will be in your bill. You
also contribute towards elegant windows,
handsome polished counters, ornamental
painting, and all the other attractions that
the merchant must present in order to in
duce custom. 1t will re seen that in the
English cooperative stores a vast saving is
made in the cost Of goods to the customer.
The stakeholder actually obtains his sup
plies at price approXimating the wholesale
cost. A small percentage is put upon them
to cover the light expense for handling,
and should there be anything left in
the cOmpany's treasury at the end Of
the quarter or year, is is returned rs
a dividend to the stockholders. No re
serve fund IS needed, because there are no
impending losses to guard against or provide
for. 1t is said that the traders at these
stores obtain their goods at reduction of
from - to 30 per cent. on their ordinary re-
tail price in other establishments.
The advantages Of the system are so APP
parent that it is a wonder it has not been
adopted ia American cities, and particular
" il mining and factory districts, where
men and women cannot afford to pay for the
s'stve" that the merchant must keep up
about his store-Salt Lake Herald.