Traidcraft

How is it social?

Traidcraft aims to reduce poverty among developing country producers and surrounding communities. In addition, it empowers consumers in economically developed countries to make a direct positive impact on developing countries through their shopping choices.

What is its business model?

Traidcraft imports and sells Fairtrade products, such as foodstuffs, tea, coffee, handicrafts, fashion goods and clothing, sourced from approximately 100 producer groups in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Traidcraft has been a leading Fairtrade promoter and trading partner for over 30 years, selling products, not only through its own direct sales channels, but also wholesale to mainstream retailers. Traidcraft Plc also partners with a sister charitable organisation, Traidcraft Exchange, whose objectives are to promote international development and poverty reduction through Fairtrade.

In 2004, Traidcraft Exchange was voted ‘one of the most innovative charities in the UK’, while in 2006 Traidcraft received a Queens Award for ‘Enterprise for Sustainable Development’. Over the next 4 years the company plans to increase its impact on poverty reduction, to continue to be an inspiration to other organisations in terms of fair trade practices, as well as continuing to work to strengthen fair trade practices internationally.

TRaidcraft is a listed company with just over £5m in issued shares.

Its history

Traidcraft was established in 1979, evolving from The Evangelical Alliance Relief Fund (Tearfund), and began by selling Fairtrade crafts through a catalogue distributed by volunteers.

1981 saw the establishment of the Traidcraft Educational Foundation (TEF), which sought to increase awareness surrounding the issues facing producers, and the need for fair trade. In 1986, TEF became the Traidcraft Exchange (TX). The company and its catalogue continued to expand, and in 1984, Traidcraft became Traidcraft Public Limited Co, and sold its first shares (300,000 shares at £1 each). In 1985, the company changed its name to Traidcraft Public Limited Company, and in 1986 a second set of shares were issued. The company continued to grow, further expanding its catalogue to include clothing, as well as providing catalogue services for other charities, such as Greenpeace and Amnesty. In 1989, Traidcraft helped to establish the International Federation for Alternative Trade, and in 1992, Traidcraft was involved in launching Cafédirect. Traidcraft Exchange was one of six organisations to create the Fairtrade Foundation. During 1995 to 1997, due to losses sustained through poor sales, the company was forced to streamline its business, and made a number of redundancies. In 1997, Traidcraft launched ‘Ethics etc’, an independent sustainability and social accountancy consultancy. In 2003, further shares were issued, allowing the company to raise £3.25m.

The company celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2004, and launched GeoActive, an initiative to raise money for Traidcraft charity purposes. Over the years the company has helped to increase awareness of Fairtrade, while expanding the range of products that it sells.

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