| Subtype | Definition |
| Worker co-operative | A co-operative owned and democratically controlled by its
workerowners. Worker co-operatives enable members to obtain more
favourable working conditions than those available on the market,
both in terms of quality and economy. |
| Producer co-operative | A co-operative owned and democratically controlled by producers who band together to process or market their products. |
| Retail co-operative | A co-operative formed to purchase and supply goods and services at competitive conditions in the interest of members (retailers). |
| Consumer co-operative | A co-operative owned and democratically controlled by its main
consumers. Consumer co-operatives enable members to obtain supplies and/or durable goods on more favourable conditions than those available on the market. They work to safeguard the quality of products and services as well as sales prices. |
|
Purchasing co-operative |
A co-operative formed to aggregate demand to get lower prices from selected suppliers. It is often used to reduce the costs of procurement. |
| Financial co-operative | Co-operative bank, credit union, insurance, and other financial service co-operative. Private co-operative enterprise providing banking and financial intermediation services, democratically controlled by its member customers (borrowers and depositors). Consider credit unions and banks whose capital is composed by individuals without rights regarding the management of the bank. An insurance co-operative owned and democratically controlled by its main insured. Insurance co-operatives enable members to obtain insurance policies on more favourable conditions than those available on the market. |
| Housing co-operative | A co-operative formed to provide an owned or rented property
on more favourable conditions than those available on the market. This category includes both housing co-operative and co-operatives in the construction sector. |
| Social co-operative | A co-operative that manages health, social, or educational
services
and productive activities for the work integration of socially disadvantaged people. |
| Other types | Co-operatives not classified in the previous types. |
Source: World Co-operative Monitor, Exploring the Co-operative Economy - Report 2014