The society's stated mission is to "connect, champion and challenge the global co-operative movement".

Founded in Manchester in 1873, the Co-operative Press is still headquartered in the city, at Holyoake House.

[5] In 1921, the society acquired the popular and radical Sunday paper, the Reynold's Illustrated News.

In 1936 the paper was renamed the Reynold's News, and was relaunched in 1962 as a tabloid, titled The Sunday Citizen.

[6][7][4] First published in 1905, the Millgate Monthly was a cultural magazine containing articles written by co-operators on social issues, alongside poetry and reviews.