Being a member must always be worthwhile
The overall aim for KfS is to constantly develop and strengthen the benefits of being a member. We pass on knowledge and information to support our members in their role as consumers, by means of an informative website, our members’ newsletter Medlem Stockholm and seminars.
Over the course of 2010 we have trained thirty ambassadors, who will provide information in stores on issues surrounding health, ecology, Fairtrade, aid and the benefits of the MedMera card — not least the improved members’ money-back scheme. Through successful market research we exercise an influence on consumer and environmental issues and achieve concrete results.
Our big project “Don’t throw food away” has helped to change attitudes among consumers, grocery chains and the relevant authorities, as well as others. Through its ownership of 20 per cent of Kooperativa Förbundet, KF, which owns the Coop, KfS is also able to influence cooperative business activities. Our strong finances also make it possible for us to make our own investments to create broadened financial advantages for our members.
Another advantage of being a member is the highly-valued members’ benefits, which offer sport, cultural and entertainment events at discounted prices. Our latest big sponsorship of “Lill-Skansen All Year Round” will give our members benefits linked to one of Sweden’s most popular visitor attractions.
During 2010 we launched an internal future report to make clear the role and purpose of the association and to create an organisation that will be effective for the future, with unique member benefits. Being a member of KfS must always be worthwhile.
Join up and share your views
Social media offer increasingly varied opportunities for disseminating information and knowledge, and conducting stimulating dialogues both with our members and with companies, organisations and authorities.
On KfS’s website www.konsumentforeningenstockholm.se there is a mass of information on the activities of the association.
Louise Ungerth, manager of Consumer & Environment at KfS, has a popular blog focusing on consumer and environmental issues. Via this blog, members, consumers and decision-makers in relevant companies, organisations and authorities can react and respond quickly. The website also has a web TV feature — The Dilemma — which depicts a consumer-oriented problem.
Members can then decide which way to vote. Over the course of 2010, six dilemmas were published, one of which was about a reduced price for goods with a short shelf life. The Coop and several other grocery chains have now introduced reduced prices on groceries with just a few days remaining until their best-before date. Further forums for expressing opinions are Föräldrajuryn (the Parent Jury) and Medlemspanelen (Members’ Panel), where you as a member can register and take part in online surveys several times a year. The results then form the basis for KfS market research. Since 2009 KfS also has a presence on Facebook, and fans can get special offers and information.