1. VG CONSUMER`S COOPERATIVE SOCIETY
and
VG ASSOCIATION
Making Local Organic Food Available for
Consumers at Reasonable and Fair Prices
Intercluster-Organics Closing Conference, Izmir, 18.10.2012

2. VG CONSUMER`S
COOPERATIVE SOCIETY

VG „Verbrauchergemeinschaft“ (Consumer‘s
cooperative Society) - Membership Association for
marketing of organic products

VG exists since 1991

five membership stores sell organic products (food
and nonfood) in Dresden, Germany

Consumers who become VG-members get products
at very convenient price

Two-price-model since 2009, also non-members can
shop in VG stores at normal organic retail prices

3. VG COOPERATIVE SOCIETY

4. VG COOPERATIVE SOCIETY

5. VG COOPERATIVE SOCIETY

the MEMBERSHIP MODEL – a form of alternative economy

members pay a monthly contribution for financing the running
costs and therefore shop for a favourable membership price

advantages for the company: high costumer`s loyality, better
financial planning, we can renounce to list products which will
bring high profit but are ecologically questionable

legal form of Cooperative Society enables member`s
participation

members shop more frequently and in greater quantities

6. VG COOPERATIVE SOCIETY

conditions for membership: every adult
becomes member with a share of 1x20 EUR as
well as a monthly fee of 15 EUR

membership fee for children is EUR 7,50
monthly, independently of of the number of
children per family

There ist a possibility to reduce the monthly fee
to EUR 9,80 by helping out in the shop for 2
hours/month

7. VG COOPERATIVE SOCIETY

Regionality as company profile: „Regionality“ at
VG means that the products originate from
around max. 150 km distance from Dresden

VG`s own regional label

Regional products are being offered to the
members at the wholesaler`s price

approx. 85 local suppliers

8. VG COOPERATIVE SOCIETY

9. VG COOPERATIVE SOCIETY

10. VG COOPERATIVE SOCIETY

11. VG COOPERATIVE SOCIETY

Benefits – support of the local economic cycle,
meaningful combination of ideational aims and
economical feasibility, and creation of humane
and safe workplaces with fair payment

great feedback from consumers – approx.
6.800 members and aditionally non-members
as consumers

VG – slow, need-oriented, and safe growth

12. VG COOPERATIVE SOCIETY

13. VG ASSOCIATION

organises bus or bicycle excursions to local
producers to increase transprency

participates at environmental events and
festivals i.e. with interactive and information
stands

Educational offer for schools „Bio in aller
Munde“ (everybody talking/eating organic)

14. VG ASSOCIATION

15. VG ASSOCIATION

16. VG ASSOCIATION

17. Danke! Thank you! Teşekkürler!
Barbara Rische
www.vg-dresden.de
info@vg-dresden.de