Sole traders and other small businesses sometimes work together co-operativelyto enhance their trade through joint activities such as purchasing and marketing.This approach - known as a co-operative consortium - can save money, spreadrisk, and enables the participating businesses to pool their resources, providemutual support and learning and strengthen their business sector, whilemaintaining their business independence.

Business consortia are alliances of individual business enterprises. These firms are often in the same broad field or industry, though they are rarely in direct competition with one another. Instead, members usually offer products or services that are complementary to those available through other consortium members.