Glasgow Co-operative Movement and SCWS
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Glasgow Museums has a collection of approximately 1,000 objects related to the Glasgow Co-operative Movement and Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society which date from between1863 and 1990. This collection contains furniture, ceramics, banners, photographs and booklets. It also holds jars, bottles, tins, clothing, shoes, food packaging, leather goods and share books, in addition to booklets, leaflets, certificates, badges, trophies, yearbooks, tokens, a television and a car body. These items mostly relate to the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society (SCWS), Cowlairs Co-operative Society, and the United Co-operative Baking Society. Glasgow was closely associated with the development of the co-operative movement in Scotland and it was the headquarters of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society (SCWS) from its formation in 1868 until it was absorbed by the Co-operative Wholesale Society (CWS) in 1973. Co-operative societies aimed to provide members with good quality products at affordable prices and pay them a regular dividend. The SCWS became an integral part of daily life for the majority of working class Scots. It was a major employer, manufacturer and retailer and provided welfare and banking through the share system. Co-operative societies also provided social, education and leisure opportunities through a network of clubs, choirs and women's guilds.
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