Readings in Consumer Cooperation

Abstract

Consumer cooperatives have played an important role in the economies of several countries in the Region during the Second World War and when there was an acute scarcity of goods. During this period the private trade indulged in hoarding of scarce goods and even in blackmarketing. Consumers’ cooperatives which were the people’s own organisations were then relied upon by governments as channels for equitable distribution of essential commodities which were in short supply and they were given the monopoly or preferential rights of distribution.