Memebership Card Usage within Travel Branches

INTRODUCTION

With United Co-operatives now part of The Co-operative Group we are receiving queries from customers about the various membership schemes currently in place within the two societies (for example – Active Members, Co-operative Membership etc.).

This information brief should help you to answer any questions that you or our customers may have.  

The new membership scheme will be introduced to United later in the year, however, we cannot currently accept any of the Co-operative membership cards and give a discount.

Likewise, any former United employee can only use their staff discount card in a former United outlet.

ACTIVE MEMBERS BENEFIT                                       

For the time being we will continue to accept the Active Members Benefit card as usual.

Please note: 

  Active members WILL NOT be able to use their membership cards in Co-operative Group outlets. 

  We will no longer be issuing any new Active Member Cards.

  If an existing Active Member’s card is lost, stolen or damaged the member can obtain a replacement card by telephoning (01782) 309723.

LEEDS AND SHEFFIELD DIVIDEND CARDS

LEEDS

These cards (applicable only in the former Leeds and Sheffield outlets) will still be accepted in either the former Leeds or Sheffield outlets for the time being. 

These cards CANNOT be used in Co-operative Group or former United Co-operative outlets.

Again, new dividend cards will not be issued.  If an existing card is lost, stolen or damaged cardholders can obtain a replacement by telephoning (01782) 309714.

EXTRA DIVIDEND FOR EMPLOYEE MEMBERS (former Sheffield)

Anyone wishing to use the Sheffield Dividend card will still be able to do so as normal in the former Sheffield Co-operative Society outlets until further notice.

EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT VOUCHERS (former Leeds)

Former Leeds employees will still earn a discount when using employee discount vouchers (to be used only in the former Leeds Co-operative Society outlets) until further notice.

Over the coming months ‘The Co-operative Group Membership Scheme’ you will be given more information about how The Co-operative Group’s membership scheme will be introduced into former United outlets.

CO-OPERATIVE GROUP MEMBERSHIP

The Co-operative Group membership has three types of card:

Unfortunately at this point in time we are unable to accept these cards, but the scheme will be introduced in former United outlets early next year. 

Member card

This card records the member’s trade for their share of our profits.  It applies any discounts that are available to members when they use the card. 

Member/employee card

This card is for employees who are members. The card records the members trade for their share of the profits. It also applies the appropriate discount for any purchases they make.

Non-member/employee card

This card is for employees who have chosen not to be a member. It simply applies the appropriate discount for any purchases. It does not record trade for a share of our profits.

SUMMARY

Can a Co-operative Group member or employee use their membership card in a former United Co‑operatives outlet?

Not at present.  We are working to make this possible and hope to be able to accept these cards in the near future.  We expect this to be early next year.

Can customers use Co-operative Group share of profits vouchers in our stores?

Not at present, they can only be spent in a Co-operative Group store. 

Can customers use Co-operative Group share of profits vouchers in our stores?

Not at present, they can only be spent in a Co-operative Group store. 

New applications for membership.

If a customer wants to become a member they should call 0845 090 1456 or visit: www.co-operative.co.uk/membership.  These details are on the card below.

They will be issued with a membership card for The Co‑operative Group. At present they will not be able to use the card in former United outlets but will be able to use the card where they see the yellow membership sticker (pictured below) displayed in stores/outlets.

What is happening to former members of United Co-operatives?

We will write to members who use an Active Members card to let them know that we have become part of The Co‑operative Group.

In the coming months we plan to send former United members new Co-operative Group membership cards and enable them to use them in former United Co-operatives outlets.

Can former United members still use their share account?

Yes. Members can still pay in to and take money out of their share accounts in the usual way.

Do existing members need to rejoin?

No. If the customer was a member of United Co-operatives they do not need to join The Co‑operative Group.  They will automatically become a member of the Group on the merger day.