National Supervision Union of Społem Consumer Co-operatives (Społem)

The National Supervision Union of Społem Consumer Co-operatives is Poland's national federation for the consumer cooperative sector, representing consumer cooperatives operating under the "Społem" name across the country. Poland's consumer cooperative movement dates back to the late nineteenth century (the first consumer cooperatives were founded around 1869); after Poland regained independence, Społem developed into a national organisation and became the country's largest cooperative union during the interwar period, and the present national union was rebuilt after the political transition. Its member cooperatives operate food and other retail outlets throughout Poland. The union is a full member of the International Co-operative Alliance.