How to become a Member

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Unlike the Islands' other retailers, the profits of The Co-operative Society go back to you: The Shareholders.

Your Channel Islands Co-operative Society is one of the most dynamic and progressive retailers in the British Isles. The Society is active, not only in its core activity of food retailing, but in Home Furnishings through its Homemaker stores, Travel, Sports and Shoe retailing, Petrol sales and, very importantly, in the community. The Society is also a major employer in the Islands.

The published aim of The Society is to be a successful Co-operative business by serving our members as the outstanding retailer in the Channel Islands.

Our advertising slogan "co-operative & caring/sharing" is no empty corporate promise. We share by giving all Shareholders dividend on purchases, (over a record £6 million in 2007) and by donating large sums to needy causes in the community. We are a true co-operative in every sense and you can share in The Society's success.

In recent years, this dividend has been paid at the rate of 4p in the £1 on the total value of purchases. It is credited to your Share Account and can be withdrawn as Cash or in Dividend Shopping Vouchers (see Members' Benefits), or left to earn interest in your account until you require it. New members will be provided with a Share Certificate and Welcome Pack.

How to become a Shareholder - How to join

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Applicants for Membership of the Society (not under the age of 16 years) should complete the attached application form in full, print it out and together with a minimum of £1 send it direct to:

Fill in the application form online now!

In Jersey:
The Channel Islands' Co-operative Society Limited
Registered Office: 27 Charing Cross, St Helier, Jersey, JE1 1AS.

In Guernsey:
The Channel Islands' Co-operative Society Limited
Branch Office: Members’ Service Office, Travelmaker, Market Street, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 1HB.

On acceptance, a Share Passbook bearing your personal Share Number and a Society 'Welcome Pack' will be posted to you (usually within two weeks of receipt of application) and will indicate your holding of a minimum £1 Share. This means you have full Membership of The Society and are entitled to all the benefits of such Membership. You will also have the right to vote at The Society's Annual Meeting.

On joining The Society new Members are given a 'Welcome Pack'. This provides a number of offers to new Members, over and above the normal range of benefits, available to Society Members. These are:

£124 voucher book for new members

5 x £1 vouchers to be used on separate visits to The Society's Food outlets (min spend £10 per visit).
1 x £10 voucher towards the purchase of electrical goods at Homemaker (min spend £100).
2 x 10% vouchers for Homemaker (each voucher up to a max of £50 spent) - excludes Electrical.
1 x 10% voucher for Total Sport (up to a max of £50 spent).
1 x 10% voucher for Shoefayre (up to a max of £30 spent).
1 x £1 voucher at petrol stations (up to a max of £10 spent).

Terms and Conditions

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Joint Accounts - Withdrawal of any Shares or part of a Share account must be by the authority of all joint parties. Any one of the Holders may of course withdraw any interest or dividends due on production of the Share Passbook.

Interest - Interest is calculated annually in accordance with the Rules of The Society, and the rate applicable at any time may be ascertained by enquiry. Interest is credited to the account automatically on the first day of the new trading period and passbooks can be made up at either of our Member Services Offices after this date.

Lost Passbooks - Notify the Registered Office in your Island immediately and a further book will be issued after completion of the necessary form. Members are requested, in their own interest, to look after their Passbooks as delays can occur before new books are issued and, during Dividend payment periods, this can lead to undesirable delays in payment of dividend.

Deposits/Withdrawals - A Member may use a share account as a savings account and may make deposits at any time accompanied by the Passbook. Withdrawals may be made in a like manner unless subject to any changes made under Society Rules. There is a maximum holding of £20,000.

In line with all organisations receiving deposits, to comply with the Financial Services Commission, members may be asked as to the origin of some deposits made.

Dividends - Your share number should be quoted each time you make a purchase in any of our stores in either Island. You should always check that the assistants or cashiers have recorded your number correctly, as failure to do so will result in incorrect dividend being paid. Dividend is calculated on purchases made in a trading year, commencing the 2nd week in January. The rate payable is declared at the Annual Meeting held every May each year in both Islands, after which, dividend is paid into your Share Account.