The Co-op announced plans to revive its "divi" as it unveiled a 41 per cent increase in annual operating profits to £327.3 million.
The society, which has always paid a dividend out of profits to its corporate members, said it would resume dividend payments to consumer members later this year.
The group launched the "divi" in 1844 with payments twice a year to customers.
It largely died out in the Seventies, although some regional societies maintained payments.
Operating profits from the society's trading activities were up 66 per cent to £135.5 million.
Convenience stores now number 1,249, including the Balfours chain bought in 2003 and the Alldays business acquired in 2002.
Thursday April 22, 2004
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