inköpskooperativ

An inköpskooperativ, or purchasing cooperative, is a type of cooperative business organization where independent businesses or consumers come together to pool their purchasing power. This allows them to buy goods and services in larger quantities, thereby negotiating better prices and terms from suppliers than they could individually. The underlying principle is that of collective bargaining.

The members of an inköpskooperativ are typically from the same industry or sector, although consumer-focused cooperatives exist as well. For example, small retailers might form a cooperative to purchase inventory from wholesalers, or restaurants might form one to buy food supplies. In the consumer realm, a group of individuals might form a cooperative to buy groceries or other household goods at lower prices.

The benefits for members include cost savings, improved access to a wider range of products or services, and sometimes shared logistical advantages like storage or delivery. The cooperative is usually owned and controlled by its members, who may also share in any profits generated by the cooperative's operations. Decision-making typically operates on a democratic principle, often with one member, one vote, regardless of the size of their individual contribution or purchasing volume. This structure distinguishes it from a traditional for-profit business where ownership is based on shares.