 Additionally, the Co-op franchises over 20 stores that trade under the Welcome brand and has a franchise project with Starbucks.In the full year ending 27 January 2019, Southern Co-op recorded sales of £450.9m (£431.2m 2017/18) and a profit before tax of £42,000 (£2.4m 2017/18) after investment in new IT systems.The Society has paid a share of profit dividend to members in previous years, but the Board did not recommended a member payout for 2018/19 to ensure the Society has sufficient resources to invest in its various businesses.