The rest of the economy is being "significantly outperformed" by the co-operative sector, according to a recent study. The combined turnover of all UK co-operatives grew by 4.4% last year to £33bn, and has grown by 21% since 2008 and the start of the credit crunch.

A report by trade body Co-operatives UK has revealed that since 2008 there has been a 15% growth in the number of co-operatives active in the UK, with a fifth of the population now members.

Consumer owned co-operatives include the Co-operative Group which currently employs 110,000 staff