So What Exactly Is A Co-op?

As the only retailer cooperative in the U.S. bicycle industry, we get that question a lot. When people hear the word "co-op", often it conjures up thoughts of socialism, unions, or folks in tie-dye shirts singing "Kumbaya". The reality is that a cooperative is a highly successful business model that is utilized all over the world, and is unlimited in its application.

Ace Hardware is a hardware store co-op, Ocean Spray is a cooperative of cranberry farmers, and REI is a cooperative of consumers. These businesses may be very different, but share a common trait: they are all organizations with people coming together to create economic opportunity not available to them individually.

Scaling buying power. Increasing savings. Leveling the playing field. Co-ops provide greater efficiencies and economies of scale to the individuals or organizations that it represents. It is a way of doing business that benefits people at the heart of the organization, not outside investors. And with over 30,000 cooperatives in the U.S. with over 120 million members, the co-op model is thriving and growing.

Why Is A Co-op Good For The Bike Industry?

Co-ops help independent retailers. While each retailer has unique needs, many retailers are looking for a way to save time and money, and gain efficiencies.

A co-op can help them streamline their operations, whether it's negotiating credit card rates or finding an email vendor. Co-ops also provide leverage for retailers pressured to buy more and more from certain suppliers, by partnering with brands that offer alternative product choices at better margins.

Maybe most importantly, a co-op enables bike retailers to remain who they were when they first opened their doors - independent entrepreneurs - by leveraging economies of scale to help them improve their profitability, but not at the expense of their independence.

"The Bike Co-op is about a group of retailers coming together to support and improve their fellow members, while making available programs and purchasing power that could not be accomplished on our own."

Jeff Milbauer

Valley Bike & Ski

The Bike Cooperative provides tools to help independent bike retailers improve their profitability, including comprehensive marketing, consumer financing and product rebate programs. Become a member today.

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