 They anticipated such a development as bringing a broad set of benefits including economic democracy and justice, transparency, greater product purity, and financial benefits for consumers.One of the world's largest consumer co-operative federations operates in the UK as The Co-op, which together operates over 5500 branches of 'Co-op' branded business including Co-op Food (The UK's sixth largest supermarket chain), Co-op Funeralcare, Co-op Travel, Co-op Legal Services and Co-op Electrical.The Co-operative Group is by far the largest of these businesses, itself having over 4500 outlets and operating the collective buying group.