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Can you have a fair trade "Black Friday?"

by Andrew Williams | November 26, 2013 | 0 Comments

"Black Friday" is one of those strange American traditions which is gradually seeping into the UK (they'll have us celebrating Independence Day next!). Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, which falls on the fourth Thursday of November. In the US it's a feeding frenzy of 5am openings, crazy deals, mad consumerism and the start of the Christmas rush.

Doesn't sound like there would be a lot in common with the ethics and ideals of fair trade, does it? We try to run our business in a way that encourages our customers to think about the people behind their purchases, and a mad supermarket sweep doesn't quite fit with that approach. Nevertheless, as a retailer we have to see Black Friday as an opportunity to spread our message that fair trade is a better way of doing business. 

We are always clear to our customers that we are not a charity - we are not here with a begging bowl looking for donations. We are simply a platform that allows incredibly talented artists, producers and creatives from around the world to sell their products at a price that makes sense for them. The producers we represent aren't necessarily poor souls who need our help - they're entrepreneurs, business people, the future of their nations. They don't want a free pass - they just want a level playing field. 

By choosing fair trade products this Christmas you can help make life fairer and more equitable for people around the world. Better than another electric toothbrush, right?!

 

Tagged: Black Friday, Christmas, eighteen rabbit, fair trade, fairtrade, why poverty

Why Poverty?

by Andrew Williams | December 06, 2012 | 0 Comments

As we approach Christmas it's easy to get carried away with the festive spirit, whether it's a mad dash for presents, over-indulgence at the dinner table or simply becoming engrossed in endless repeats of the X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing.

No-one likes a kill-joy, and here at Eighteen Rabbit we're all for having a good time - we think that as consumers we have a choice about what we buy, and that the decisions we make when shopping on the high street or online can make a real difference to people's lives overseas. That's what fair trade is all about. 

At this time of giving and receiving I think it's important to spare a small thought for those with much less to celebrate than ourselves, whether they are here in the UK or overseas. I'd thoroughly recommend trying to catch up with some of the "Why Poverty?" season which has been broadcast in the UK on BBC4 and also around the world over the past few weeks. The films are varied and all tell an incredible story about the way we live today and the inequality we face in the world. 

We hope that everyone can enjoy this season of peace in the spirit of brotherly love which the very first Christmas embodied. Most of the people we work with around the world aren't looking for handouts or charity - just fairness. That's something we're going to be working flat out to make a reality, slowly but surely, in 2013.       

Tagged: bbc4, fair trade, website, why poverty