A brace of co-operative societies in the West Midlands are on the cusp of a merger to create a new group boasting £1.8 billion in annual revenue.
Lichfield-based Central Co-op and The Midcounties Co-operative in Warwick will now contact members as part of a consultation ahead of a vote on whether to approve the tie up.
If handed the green light, it would unite more than one million members and 13,000 staff across functions such as retail, funeral and travel.
The combined society would have a portfolio of specialist businesses including more than 500 food stores, 170 funeral homes, 70 travel agencies and almost 50 nurseries as well as more than 500 investment properties across the º£½ÇÊÓƵ.
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A statement said the two societies already had a long history of co-operation and had been in discussion for many months about how they could benefit their members through even closer ties.
The proposed merger comes after Central Co-op announced in June that it planned to merge with Chelmsford Star Co-operative which trades across Essex.
Central Co-op's president Elaine Dean said: "As co-operators, we know that by working together, we can achieve more for our members, colleagues and communities.
"By combining our strengths, we can create a co-operative society that is more influential, more resilient and more ambitious while helping ensure that the co-operative movement continues to grow and inspire.
"We look forward to continuing discussions with the Midcounties board over the coming weeks."
Irene Kirkman, president of The Midcounties Co-operative, added: "Midcounties and Central have a rich heritage and shared values and together we can lead the way in showing how co-operation can create a lasting and positive impact in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ.
"One of the many values we share is the commitment to remaining independent and fully owned by our members and so it will be for our members to determine our future."
