Carpet One Australasia Limited is part of the world’s largest co-operative retail floor covering group, bringing together independently owned flooring and home improvement businesses under a co-operative structure. Unlike franchises or corporate chains, each Carpet One store is locally owned and operated with the co-operative providing shared services, collective purchasing power and support for its members.
Formed on the principles of unity and mutual benefit, Carpet One exists to strengthen family-run small businesses rather than to generate profit for an external owner. By pooling resources, members gain access to global suppliers and expertise while maintaining local ownership and control.
Carpet One Australasia is linked to the international retail group CCA Global Partners, which represents more than 2,700 outlets worldwide and generates over USD $10 billion in annual sales. This global scale allows Carpet One members to secure competitive prices and services that would be difficult to achieve independently, while ensuring decision-making remains local.
As a co-operative, Carpet One Australasia operates according to the seven internationally recognised co-operative principles: voluntary and open membership, democratic member control, member economic participation, autonomy and independence, education and training, co-operation among co-operatives and concern for community.
Research by the International Co-operative Alliance indicates the community value of this model: for every $100 spent with a co-operative like Carpet One, approximately $43 is reinvested locally, compared to $13 when spent with a corporate chain. This reflects the co-operative’s commitment to sustaining local economies and supporting the communities in which its members operate.
