‘At the heart of good business are values of fairness, decency and sustainability.’
Many consumers now recognise and reject unfair business practices, which exploit workers and damage the environment. 77% of UK consumers say they choose Fairtrade over the alternatives
The Fairtrade Movement has been working for the last thirty years with businesses, producers in their supply chains and consumers to put these values into practice.
Two million Fairtrade-Certified producers in low-income countries can now take better care of their environment and tackle climate change because Fairtrade has enabled them to raise living standards in their communities, equipped them to farm sustainably, and have a say in how Fairtrade International is run. So, today producers are no longer unheard; companies are required to report on their supply chains, and paying a living income is finally starting to move from rhetoric to reality.
Would your business choose to raise its ethical status by using Fairtrade products wherever possible?
What would it involve?
- Businesses producing or retailing goods could be supplied by Fairtrade producers – e.g. supermarkets, restaurants, jewellers (using Fairmined gold and silver)
- Staff uniforms could be made from Fairtrade cotton. (e.g. Lidl).
If you consider sourcing a Fairtrade product, visit: https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/For-Business/
- Catering businesses can use a range of Fairtrade products and beverages.
Find out what’s available – download the latest National Fairtrade Buying Guide from the Fairtrade Foundation here 
Lots of ideas and help for promoting Fairtrade through your business and your business through Fairtrade! here
ALL businesses CAN use Fairtrade products in the daily conduct of their businesses: Here are some ideas
If you run a business, shop or any sort of catering enterprise, use Fairtrade products where you can.
If your business does not involve manufacturing or selling products, you can still use Fairtrade products in the office – even when you work from home! Here are some ideas:
Use Fairtrade in your office
- Treat yourself to snacks of Fairtrade coffee, tea, fruit and chocolate
- Use Fairtrade cotton for your staff uniforms or promotional T-shirts
- Pep up your meetings with Fairtrade coffee, Fairtrade fruit juice and Fairtrade biscuits
- Brighten your reception area with Fairtrade flowers
- Buy Fairtrade certified cotton towels for your kitchen
- Give colleagues hampers of Fairtrade products for their birthday (don’t forget the wine!)
Celebrate and publicise what you are doing
Hold an event about Fairtrade in Fairtrade Fortnight (or any time) – a stall, a tasting event, a display, whatever is appropriate for you. Let us know what you’re planning and if you’d like some help – we can help with publicity through our local networks and on the Fairtrade Fortnight page of this website/displays. Contact us here
page updated 2025-04-15