• What is Fair Trade?
Well, simply put, it is a partnership between producers and consumers which ensures that producers receive good working conditions and fair prices for their goods.

• Why Fair Trade?
In these days of globalization large companies have huge power in the market place and often choose, in an attempt to make as much profit as possible, to pay the lowest possible price for goods they buy from producers, particularly those in the developing world. The price they pay often does not even cover the cost of the raw materials, let alone fair wages. As a result, many of these producers do not receive a fair price for their goods and are forced to cut costs, often at the expense of health and safety or environmental issues. Fair trade combats these issues by: paying a fair price to the producers; committing to long term relationships with producers to provide stability and security; promoting the empowerment of women; paying a social premium; giving micro credit loans and encouraging environmental responsibility. To find out more click on the logos below.

• Why The Fair Trade Shop?
The Fair Trade Shop was set up to help promote fair trade in the Southampton area by providing a central place where customers can buy a large range of fairly traded goods from a wide range of suppliers. Another function of the shop is to help raise awareness about these issues by giving presentations at group meetings. If you would like to book a speaker then contact us at the shop. Click here to find out more about the history of our shop.