A distinguishing characteristic of consumer co-operative society is that the

A distinguishing characteristic of a consumer co-operative society is that "members are the owners." A consumer co-operative society is a type of co-operative organization that is formed to meet the needs of its members, who are also its owners. In other words, the members of a consumer co-operative society are also its shareholders, and they have a say in the governance of the organization. This characteristic is what sets a consumer co-operative society apart from other types of business organizations. In a typical business, ownership and control are usually in the hands of a small group of shareholders or investors, who may not have any direct relationship with the customers or users of the business. In a consumer co-operative society, however, the members are not only the customers or users, but also the owners and decision-makers. This creates a sense of ownership and accountability among the members, who are motivated to ensure that the organization is run in a way that benefits everyone. Therefore, the distinguishing characteristic of a consumer co-operative society is that its members are the owners, which is what sets it apart from other types of business organizations.