Newcastle and Suburban Co-operative Society

The Newcastle and Suburban Co-operative Society, known locally as The Store, was a co-operative based in Newcastle, a city in New South Wales, Australia. The Store was described as "the largest and most successful co-operative society in the southern hemisphere".[1]

The co-operative was established in 1898, based on a co-operative tradition brought from Britain by immigrant coal miners.[1] At its peak, the Store had 98,000 members and employed 1,450 workers in 15 retail stores and 11 petrol stations. As well as food and retail goods, services included "[a] health fund, funeral fund, travel agency, credit union and a barber shop."[1] The Newcastle Herald states that in 1942, the Store was "reputed to have the largest bakery in Australia, making about 62,800 loaves a week".[1]

Increased shopper mobility and competition from suburban shopping centres saw the Store wind-up in 1981.[1]