The Southern Co-operative (TSC) originally dipped its toe into the co-operative market under Queen Victoria's reign. Today, the regional consumer co-operative society operates about 150 small community foods stores under The Co-op banner eight counties in southern England. Beyond its core retail business (95% of sales), other TSC activities include funeral services and property investment. The co-op exited the milk delivery business -- Southern Co-operative Dairies -- by selling it to the Co-operative Group (CWS). Established in 1873 as the Portsea Island Mutual Co-operative Society by dockyard workers in Portsmouth, the group changed its name to The Southern Co-operative Ltd. in 1998.