Giftfocus - December

The UK is one of the world’s leading fair trade markets. No longer fringe products confined mainly to food, fair trade goods are becoming increasingly mainstream covering everything from jewellery to tableware and Christmas decorations. We showcase just some of the companies helping to tip the balance…

The high street has had to take note – the consumer wants choice and that includes fair trade goods.
Not just tokenism – they want quality, contemporary merchandise with reputable credentials that make a positive contribution towards helping to tackle poverty in developing countries.
Shopping with conscience is a force to be reckoned with in the modern marketplace and even in the recession the public has continued to buy fair trade goods.
The Fairtrade Foundation’s latest research shows continued consumer confidence and business support for Fair Trade in the UK.
Harriet Lamb, the foundation’s executive director said at its annual commercial conference recently: “Over the last 15 years we have seen fair trade spread through the business world, with pioneer dedicated companies first taking the lead, retailers taking up the baton and now major multinationals joining the race. More and more companies are now upping their game on fair trade.”
Worldwide sales of fair trade products grew by 22 per cent in 2008 as consumers spent an estimated 2.9 million Euro on fair trade products globally. In the UK sales of fair trade certified products increased by an impressive 43 per cent notching up record sales of over £700 million.
Harriet Lamb added: “We’re delighted that the growth of 43 per cent in fair trade sales keeps us on track with our plan to double the impact of fair trade by 2012. In the current global economic climate, farmers need fair trade more than ever. So it is profoundly reassuring to know that globally, consumers are still wholeheartedly backing a better deal for farmers and workers around the world.”
Leading UK pioneer Jeremy Piercy founded fair trade suppliers and retailers Shared Earth in 1986 when he opened his first shop in York. He is one of the early trailblazers who helped to get fair trade off the ground.
He comments: “Fair Trade sales have gone up by about 40% every year over the past 6 years in the UK. It is very much a growing trend, not a fashion that’s going to go away next year.”
He explained that with food products fair trade was easier to monitor with growing public awareness of the FAIRTRADE Mark, but with gifts it was harder, due to the nature of the market.
However, there are a number of recognized networks such as the British Association of Fair Trade Shops (BAFTS) and the International Fair Trade Association (IFAT) that operate monitoring systems.
You can find out more about these organizations at www.ifat.org and www.bafts.org.uk.
The process of agreeing international fair trade standards can’t take time, and for some products, particularly crafts and other items made by small-scale artisans, there may not yet be standards available to certify them. Some companies promote their own “fair trade” credentials without independent certification.
Jeremy advises: “You can tell a lot by just asking questions. People tend to be passionately committed to these values. Generally you can get a very good idea by talking to people whether they really mean it or they are just trying to make money.”
Over the years he has witnessed marked improvements in the range of fair trade products available, particularly in terms of style, quality and design.
He believes the recession may well have actually helped improve standards, due to increased competition.
“There’s lots more people wholesaling fair trade products now therefore more pressure to improve,” he added.
Jeremy has written a book called “Coffins, Cats and Fair Trade Sex Toys” published by Quick Brown Fox Publications, which offers a unique insight  into the fair trade world.

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