Fairtrade Fortnight: Fairtrade sales on the up
Fairtrade fortnight got off to a flying start today with the news that sales of fairtrade products have risen by nearly 50% in the past year. Reports said that shoppers spent £290 million on the ethically-traded products in the past year; a 46% increase on 2005.
To celebrate Fairtrade fortnight, many of the UK's biggest retail organisations have done their bit to raise awareness. Sainsburys and Waitrose have switched all their bananas to fairtrade, while Thresher is launching a new range of fairtrade wines. Check our some of our suggestions on how to mark the occasion your own way - or if you really want to go to town, check out Ethical Superstore's Fairtrade Fortnight kit, which is packed with ethically traded goodies for only £13.50. You can also browse the Fairtrade Foundation's Calendar of events for activities from catwalk shows to football matches over the next couple of weeks.
Also doing its bit for Fairtrade Fortnight today is Topshop, whose latest People Tree ethical label clothing range went on sale this morning. They've got the season's trends completely covered, with a v-neck tunic in smoke grey, cute scoop-neck tops and this simply delicious bubble-hem t-shirt. With all items at £35 and under, this should really spread the word that fairtrade clothing can be stylish and affordable.
Away from the fun and games of the fortnight, Fairtrade Foundation executive director Harriet Lamb is spending most of today in dialoge with a committee of MPs: her aim is to secure a £50 million investment in fairtrade from the international community.
Lamb commented: “Fairtrade is beginning to move from being an optional extra to a must-do. Too many companies have yet to wake up to the public’s changing expectations. We need people to shout even louder and companies to respond with genuine engagement. Otherwise, millions of farmers will remain consigned to poverty.”
Keep an eye on Hippyshopper this fortnight for more Fairtrade news updates
