Two great national orders have arisen, seeking to build up co-operative stores, among other aims.
The Grangers had in 1876 twenty State purchasing agencies, three of which did a business annually of $200,000, and one of which did an annual business of $1,000,000.

They claimed to have, about the same time, five steamboat or packet lines, fifty societies for shipping goods, thirty-two grain elevators, twenty-two warehouses for storing goods.

In 1876 one hundred and sixty Grange stores were recorded.

In he same year it was officially stated that "local stores are in successful operation all over the country." The Sovereigns of Industry also developed co-operative distribution largely.

In 1877 President Earle reported that "ninety-four councils, selected from the whole, report a membership of 7,273, and with an average capital of only $884 did a business last year of $1,089,372.55.