4 ms·
> Trying to support a multitude of co-ops (and managing them to make sure they actually are sustainable and survivable businesses) would seem to be a nightmare.
by jlg23 9y ago
> Trying to support a multitude of co-ops (and managing them to make sure they actually are sustainable and survivable businesses) would seem to be a nightmare.
On the contrary, the moment you create a big scheme like that all the large supermarket chains will queue up. With all the mandatory paper trail we already generate for every action involved, it boils down to.. exactly what supermarket chains are doing:
* Central instance for management and purchases (the latter being optional for the "subsidized co-op"-model)
* resale to quasi-independent sub-entities ("supermarket" or "co-op").
* Individual stores of chains all use the same software already; for the co-cop scenario that could translate to a FOSS-offer (hard requirement being: however you do it, legal accounting principles apply).
I don't see a nightmare here, just a shift of terms and a slightly more flexible ERP configuration.
- tajen 9y agoI've already seen hipsters building a coop supermarket. The idea that supermarkets jack up the prices, mistreat employees and blackmail providers is widespread (whether true or not). Those friends want to do good to producers and consumers alike and sidestep the "big evil companies". So some attempts exist and it's a good idea if poor-neighborhood coops invent better solutions than supermarkets concerning robbery and crime (only registered customers? know-your-customer schemes? the-boss-is-my-uncle effect?). However, I doubt they can have lower prices than supermarkets. Being a coop doesn't absolve you from margins and risk management.