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Why implement an inventory control system? For one thing, it can reduce the cost of running your business. Furthermore, it can improve customer service through lower out of stocks. And the best...

"The board makes policy and management implements policy." It sounds so simple. But developing and administering personnel policy in your particular co-op may get confusing. Personnel issues carry...

In Part 1, "Turning Points and Lessons," I discussed the decline of two major cooperatives -- the Consumers Cooperative of Berkeley (C.C.B.) stores and DANCe (Distributing Alliance of the...

At the beginning of 1986, New Pioneer Co-op in Iowa City was thriving. In our 3300 square foot facility, we were setting new sales records regularly, and the store was bursting with merchandise...

There's not a lot of glamour in it. The "behind the scenes" work that goes into preparing for and planning board meetings may be tedious, time-consuming and very rarely acknowledged. And, to make...

What's so special about co-op membership? Why should I pay money to shop at a store, and what benefits do I get that I wouldn't get anywhere else? These questions are becoming more and more...

Years ago, a few board members of our co-op felt the management had let things go to such a state that neither the board nor perhaps management had an adequate grip on what was going on. They...

Every store ends up looking for equipment, whether for a major remodeling and renovation or simply replacing aging physical assets. Prudent, informed decisions regarding equipment acquisition can...

This is a time of ever increasing awareness of food safety and the environmental damage being wrought by the dominant economic powers and their step child, petro-based agribusiness. To a lesser...

You may have heard the old line, "Is your refrigerator running? Well then, you better go catch it!" But improper equipment maintenance is no laughing matter; it can cost you money and customers....

Our society's trend toward preparing fewer meals at home, combined with the rising popularity of natural foods and health consciousness, makes this a good time for natural foods retailers to...

Many cooperatives are considering issues relating to substantial growth. This article is based on material originally written for members of the Boston Food Co-op. But the specifics of our...