Many of us have come to realise that much of the world’s trade operates on a system which has negative consequences for people’s health and lives. Fortunately you can now make a difference buying Fair Trade products.
On this page we provide a guide on how to find Fair Trade stores and Fair Trade goods in the UK and take a look at some of the best online Fair Trade stores; as well as explaining some of the reasons behind shopping at a Fair Trade store.
Online Fair Trade Shopping Specialists
There are a growing number of Fair Trade shops online.
Some of the best known are:
Traidcraft
www.traidcraftshop.co.uk
Good range of Fair Trade products, including food, drinks, clothes, homeware and jewellery.
Goodness Direct
www.goodnessdirect.co.uk
Goodness Direct specialises in Fair Trade foodstuffs, coffee, jams, and juices; and is especially focused on healthy eating products and special health or dietary needs such as vegan and gluten free.
Clipper Store
www.clipper-teas.com
Popular branded Fair Trade products, especially teas and coffees; but also gifts and other items.
UK Fair Trade Shopping Specialists
The British Association for Fair Trade Shops (BAFTS)
The UK now has a wide variety of shops dedicated to selling fair traded goods, including many good, small independent shops. As well as this there are a variety of online stores, catalogues and websites dedicated to Fair Trade items.
Many of these stores come under the umbrella of the British Association for Fair Trade Shops (BAFTS).
BAFTS Principles
Members of BAFTS work on behalf of producers to help them reach the market on the fairest possible terms and are committed to help producers earn a decent, fair living through their work.
BAFTS is a network of independent Fair Trade shops across the UK, with currently around 100 member outlets.
BAFTS promotes Fair Trade in the UK, seeking to raise the profile of Fair Trade on the High Street and provide meeting places for the exchange of ideas amongst members.
The association of retailers who, although independent unite in a core purpose which is to bring about fundamental changes in the status of working producers through Fair Trade retailing and campaigning.
You can learn how to become a member or search online for BAFTS shops local to you at their website.
Reasons For Shopping With BAFTS
- All BAFTS retailers must buy at least 70 per cent of their stock from recognised Fair Trade sources.
- BAFTS recognises the following sources: Fair Trade marked products, members of the International Fair Trade Association and BAFTS recognised Importers.
- Its retailers know about where the product came from and who made it.
- BAFTS shops are independently owned, which means that each shop is different.
- The money you spend goes back to supporting the producer, as the shop can purchase more Fair Trade goods from those same producers.
- Offers a wide selection of Fair Trade products including food and clothes.
- Shop members are involved in campaigning initiatives to promote Fair Trade and Trade Justice.
The Fairtrade Foundation
www.fairtrade.org.uk
For more information on finding Fair Trade shops and products visit the Fair Trade Foundation website which lists all the certified Fair Trade products available in the UK, and details of which shops stock them.
acy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, co-operative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others.
Famous Co-ops
The world’s largest consumer co-operative business is the Co-operative Group in the UK, which offers a variety of retail services – its corner shops and supermarkets – and financial and funeral services: the Co-operative Bank and Co-operative Funeral Parlours
John Lewis, leading UK department store chain, is employee owned although not officially a co-op.
Other famous UK co-operatives include Suma Foods, the UK’s largest workers co-operative.
There are many other successful large scale co-ops in other countries.