Members of Southern Co-op have voted in favour of joining forces with the Co-op Group in a second member ballot, clearing another key hurdle in the proposed merger between the two societies.
Southern Co-op confirmed that more than 16,091 members participated in the second vote, significantly higher than turnout in the initial ballot earlier this month, which attracted 13,361 votes.
The retailer said the result demonstrated “strong engagement” from members and provided a “clear mandate” to progress plans to merge with the Co-op Group.
The second vote was required under legislation governing transfer engagements between co-operative societies.
The proposed merger was first approved by members at a Special General Meeting on 6 May, when more than 97 per cent voted in favour of the deal.
Southern Co-op, which has 300,432 members according to its 2024-25 annual review, said the merger would help preserve the society’s heritage while strengthening long-term support for members, colleagues and communities.
The business added that stores and funeral homes would continue operating as normal during the transition period, with members still able to use their Southern Co-op membership cards and access existing benefits.
The transaction remains subject to final regulatory approvals, which the businesses expect to complete by the end of July.
The merger would bring together Southern Co-op’s network of more than 300 food stores, funeral branches and Starbucks outlets with the Co-op Group’s national operations, which include more than 2,300 food stores, funeral services, wholesale operations, insurance and legal businesses.
Southern Co-op warned earlier this year that it was facing mounting financial pressure after recording losses for three consecutive years and projecting operating losses of more than £20 million in the coming financial year.
Both organisations have said the combination would create a larger and more resilient co-operative business while maintaining a focus on ethical sourcing, community investment and member ownership.