Cooperative “sectors” refer to the industry in which the cooperative operates. Co-ops are found throughout the economy, but here is a list of industries in which cooperative models are especially common:
- Agriculture co-ops are common for both purchasing inputs and marketing or processing crops. Members usually run their own separate businesses but there are also a few worker or consumer-owned agricultural co-ops.
- Child Care and Preschool cooperatives tend to be consumer co-ops, although some purchasing co-ops have been formed by businesses for their employees.
- Financial cooperatives (LINK) are generally consumer co-ops, but cooperative banking and development funds function more like purchasing co-ops.
- Food co-ops (LINK) are usually worker cooperatives, although there are several worker-owned food cooperatives and at least one that blends worker and consumer ownership.
- Funeral & memorial societies (LINK) are generally formed as consumer co-ops, while some funeral homes participate in purchasing cooperatives.
- Healthcare co-ops (LINK) may be formed by consumers or organizations; some worker cooperatives also work in this field.
- Housing cooperatives (LINK) provide consumer ownership of housing stock.
- Insurance co-ops (LINK) are typically consumer-owned.
- Marketing cooperatives (LINK) are widespread in the U.S., popular among individual artists and fast food franchisees.
- Manufacture co-ops (LINK) are still fairly rare in the U.S., although this seems to be an area with much potential for new development of worker cooperatives.
- Technology cooperatives (LINK) tend to be worker-owned, although independent contractors may cooperatively share resources.
- Utility co-ops (LINK) are widespread as consumer co-ops, and also common for purchasing of power and generation infrastructure.
