Fairtrade sales fall for first time in foundation's 20-year existence [UK]

theguardian.com ^ | 23 February 2015 | Sarah Butler

[Berlin_Freeper]

Sales of Fairtrade goods have fallen for the first time since the ethical trading scheme was founded 20 years ago as cash-strapped consumers tighten their belts.

The slide of almost 4%, after years of double-digit growth, reflects wider troubles in the grocery market as shoppers put less in their baskets and turn to cheaper chains such as Aldi and Lidl in a bid to save money.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Aldi and Lidl now control more than 10% of the grocery market, according to data from Nielsen, as they continue to enjoy double-digit sales growth while their bigger supermarket rivals shrink.

Aldi
Based in Germany, the chain was founded by brothers Karl and Theo Albrecht in 1946

Lidl
German global discount supermarket chain, based in Neckarsulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

[Berlin_Freeper]

Fair trade
The movement is especially popular in the UK where there are 500 Fairtrade towns, 118 universities, over 6,000 churches, and over 4,000 UK schools registered in the Fairtrade Schools Scheme.

[Cowboy Bob]

I guess in thought economic times, people are finding it difficult to overpay for food. Is there fair trade cabbage and potatoes?

[Berlin_Freeper]

Aldi and Lidl now control more than 10% of the grocery market, according to data from Nielsen, as they continue to enjoy double-digit sales growth while their bigger supermarket rivals shrink.

Tesco set for thousands more job cuts
jobs will be cut from Tesco's head offices and 43 stores that are set to close as part of the supermarket's cost-cutting plan.

total losses could reach 10,000

Tesco
Tesco PLC is a British multinational grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom

[9thLife]

This just so breaks my little heart. Doesn’t it break your heart? Wah, wah, wah.

[UnwashedPeasant]

Poor farmers can’t afford to participate in Fairtrade, so it really just helps to exclude the poorest farmers.

Fairtrade customers mostly don’t care, because they can still pose.

[ConservativeMind]

In Central America, it’s known these organizations selectively choose to work with people who support the most liberal-leaning entities.

[logic101.net]

I didn’t know it was a company, I thought it was just a bumper sticker.