Become a member

Become a member

$1 for a lifetime membership

A Calgary Co-op membership offers a lifetime of benefits: special offers, equity in the co-operative and the ability to earn cash back on your purchases every year.

Patronage aka member refunds

Patronage is a term in co-operative businesses to mean that when you spend with us, the profits go back to our members… you! Each year you’ll get a member refund cheque, based on your annual spending at Calgary Co-op* stores.

Shopping at Calgary Co-op earns you a member refund (our version of profit sharing) once a year. We mail you a cheque in early March, along with the voting ballot for the yearly board election.

Purchases that don’t count towards your total patronage: bus passes, tickets for events and activities, the purchase of gift cards (the person using it will earn towards their refund), lottery tickets and stamps. This list is subject to change.

*Please note: shopping at other co-operatives doesn’t contribute to your refund. Calgary Co-op stores are found in Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, High River, Okotoks and Strathmore. Other co-operatives are operated separately and require their own membership to take part in this profit sharing benefit.

Equity

Equity is the term we use to describe the shares you’ve accumulated through your patronage earnings (the longer you’re with Calgary Co-op, the more equity you have).

All members start out with the $1 share they purchased to become a member. Every year, some of your year-end patronage may be returned in shares (and some will be cash aka the member refund).

Your full equity account can be paid out when you move or reach retirement age.