Consumer co-operative society means a co-operative society, the primary object of which is to supply consumer goods and to render such other services to its members and other consumers as may be required in the matter of supply and production of consumer goods and includes a federation of such co-operative societies.
Consumer co-operatives are autonomous, democratic, self-help organizations controlled by their members. Consumer co-operatives have the potential to enhance the level of competition in the marketplace by providing consumers with an alternate source of products and services. Since the primary goal of consumer co-operative is to meet needs of members, not generate profits only, it can serve its members at low cost.
Consumer co-operatives in West Bengal have a three-tier structure consisting of an apex named as The West Bengal State Multipurpose Consumers' Co-operative Federation Ltd.(CONFED) at the state level,Wholesale Consumers' Co-operative Society at the district/sub-divisional/municipal level and Primary Consumers' Co-operative Societies or Stores at local community level.