Fairtrade products are beginning to make inroads into the independent sector with wholesalers offering products such as chocolate, coffee and wine.
Wilf Slee, trading manager for confectionery at Palmer & Harvey McLane, which has recently started offering the 45g Fairtrade Divine chocolate bar, said: “We are interested in Fairtrade sales because we have, for some time, been aware of the increased profile of Fairtrade.
“Fairtrade is creating awareness above the line and if the typical consumer likes the taste of the product, we can see it being around for a long time to come.” Palmer & Harvey also stocks Percol Original Instant Granule Coffee which carries the Fairtrade mark.
Ian Bretman, deputy director of the Fairtrade Foundation, said the organisation receives calls every day asking about the availability of Fairtrade certified goods at local shops.
He added: “Fairtrade has a lot of support among local communities, churches and other faith groups and the Women’s Institute and these people are among those keen to support their local shops when they can, so there is a big overlap.”
Will Government proposals to ban the display of tobacco in retail premises damage the wholesale sector?
- 27 November, 2008
FWD Annual Dinner & Gold Medal Awards
