What is Fair Trade?

Fair Trade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability and fair terms of trade for farmers, workers and craftspeople in the developing world, such as Asia, South America and Africa.

The price paid is socially just and a realistic reflection of the needs of the makers.

Fair Trade addresses the injustices of conventional trade which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their lives and gain more control. It is about trade, not aid or charity.

Beautiful products should not come at the cost of exploitation.

Fair Trade is a win for everyone

The more business we give these producers, on fair terms, the more they are able to expand and develop based on the financial security that this trade gives them.

In turn, as their own business grows stronger and more secure, their prospects, and those of their families and communities, improve.

Fair Trade creates a ‘win-win’ scenario. A ‘win’ for the consumer as the products are of the highest quality
and a ‘win’ for the producer as they receive a fair price with a minimum price guaranteed.

International trade can seem like a remote issue, but when commodity prices fall dramatically it can have a catastrophic impact
on the lives of small scale producers.

Too many producers in the developing world have to contend with fluctuating prices which may not even cover the cost of production.

Imagine that, for a second and you can see why an alternative way of trading needs to be offered.

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Fair Trade improves people’s lives

The products offered for sale by The FAIR Trade Store come from responsible suppliers, importers and wholesalers who work directly with the producers themselves to ensure that Fair Trade principles are adhered to.

This close working relationship is often based on frequent visits to the producers where contracts are agreed that allow long term planning and help to build a fair partnership between producers and consumers based on mutual respect and trust.

By simply switching to Fair Trade you can use your purchasing power as economic muscle,
secure in the knowledge that the product is not being brought to you at a terrible cost to the people that produced it.

So, by buying from The FAIR Trade Store you really will be helping to make a difference.

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You can find out more about these issues by reading The FAIR Trade Store Blog.

Read The Fair Trade Store blog

The Fair Trade supply chain

I sell Fair Trade products from suppliers, importers and wholesalers accredited by The British Association for Fair Trade Shops & Suppliers (BAFTS Fair Trade Network UK), The World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO), the Fairtrade Foundation, or those who uphold Fair Trade principles.

You are now just a few steps away from the actual Fair Trade producers in the developing world, such as Asia, South America and Africa.

Fair Trade principles mean that wherever possible, middlemen are taken out of the supply chain to allow as much money as commercially possible to go direct to the actual producers themselves.

I deal directly with the importer of the products wherever possible, which gives the unusually short supply chain below.

Step 1

The Producers

The producers we buy our Fair Trade products from are usually grouped into locally based co-operatives or associations to help them access the market.

Step 2

The Suppliers & Importers

The suppliers are always UK based, and work directly with the family, co-operative or association, buying from them on Fair Trade terms.

Step 3

The Fair Trade Store

We have a personal relationship with our suppliers and importers and carefully select ranges of Fair Trade products to sell to you.

Step 4

You, the customer

By buying from us you really are helping to make a difference, because after your purchase we need to order more stock, which in turn creates demand with the producer, who then supply more stock on Fair Trade terms, and the supply chain cycle continues…

BAFTS

The FAIR Trade Store is a proud member of BAFTS Fair Trade Network UK – and has been since 2014.

BAFTS Fair Trade Network UK is a network of independent shops, online retailers and suppliers dedicated to promoting Fair Trade retail in the UK.

It is the trading name of the British Association of Fair Trade Shops and Suppliers.

BAFTS is a Fair Trade Network Member of the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO).

It provides a structure of accountability to its members who adhere to the 10 Principles of Fair Trade as set out by the WFTO.

It works with UK-based independent shops, online retailers and suppliers who partner with disadvantaged producer groups in the developing world.

Membership is determined by annual peer-to-peer assessment and ensures that members can provide evidence of their fulfilment to these 10 Principles of Fair Trade.