For purchases made from October 29, 2023, to November 2, 2024, is as follows:
Calgary Co-op members pay $1 for a lifetime membership, which buys them one share in the co-operative, making them member-owners, and grants them an equal amount of decision-making power. One member, one vote. At the end of the year, our member-owners participate in profit sharing, called Patronage. Patronage is made up of cash and equity shares.
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 patronage return, based on your annual spending at Calgary Co-op* stores and how well we have performed. You’ll also earn equity.
Shopping at Calgary Co-op earns you a patronage return (our version of profit sharing) once a year.
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 return), lottery tickets and stamps. This list is subject to change.
*The cash portion of Patronage is only issued when in excess of $10
*Please note: shopping at other co-operatives doesn’t contribute to your return. 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 their profit sharing benefit.
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 patronage return).
Your full equity account can be paid out when you move or turn 65.
As we continue to evolve and modernize our co-operative, we have changed how patronage is paid and equity is structured to make it more simple, immediate and transparent. Your 2024 Patronage Return will be deposited into your Bonus Cash Bubble in mid January 2025, and available to redeem at Calgary Co-op businesses.** If you do not have the Calgary Co-op app, please see the FAQ for additional Patronage information.
We simplified our equity and cash payout rates from 11 tiers to 3 tiers meaning most members will get a greater proportion of their patronage back in cash.
Receive your Patronage Return early. In January 2025, members with the new Calgary Co-op app will receive the cash portion of their Patronage as a lump sum into their Bonus Cash bubble in the app.*** Once in your Bonus Cash bubble, you can redeem your Calgary Co-op Bonus Cash on eligible purchases at food, liquor, fuel (when paying at the pump) and Home Healthcare.
Watch your Patronage earnings accumulate through the year in your Member Earnings Bubble. You will see both your 2024 Patronage, and your accumulating estimated 2025 Patronage in this bubble until your 2024 Patronage is paid out in January 2025.
Uncover more with Calgary Co-op’s Refreshed Membership Program.
**Some restrictions apply.
***Calgary Co-op app download and registration required. Visit calgarycoop.com/appterms for additional terms and conditions.