Have a question about Fair Trader or our products? Select from the list of Fair Trader or Website frequently asked questions below. If the query you are searching for isn’t answered below, feel free to get in touch with us.
Fair Trader FAQ’s
A not-for-profit community cooperative. Each member buys one or more £20 shares. Each member has one vote – whether s/he has one or many shares. The members own and run the organisation.
To partner small and sustainable suppliers, particularly co-operatives – to help families and communities in developing countries.
To offer for sale a range of ethical and contemporary products – global and local.
To promote fair trade through events and campaigns.
Founder members from local churches, education, health and the business community launched a £20 share offer in November 2009, to inspire individuals and organisations to play their part to develop fair trade. The Holmfirth shop was opened in June 2010 and the first website launched in November 2010. We now have over 640 members around the world and made a small surplus in 2017 on sales of just over £130,000.
‘The Fair Traders Cooperative’ is our registered company name but we now trade as ‘Fair Trader’ as that’s what everyone calls us! We are still a co-operative and, as members of Co-operatives UK, part of the international co-operative movement. Co-operatives are a tried-and-tested model in international development, enabling people around the world to take control over their livelihoods.
Yes. We have a small recycling centre within the Holmfirth shop.
No. Our bags and paper are FSC. We encourage our suppliers to be plastics-free. We re-use/recycle product/supplier packaging. We are supporting a HOTT scheme to make Holmfirth a plastics-free town.
Yes, such as Holmfirth Edible – community gardening project.
Yes, we run a programme of workshops, supplier visits, talks and meals. Take a look at our blog for details of previous events we have held. You can buy tickets for future events on our Events page.
Talk to us. We offer members the chance to run workshops. Examples of previous workshops include felting, rag rugs, and ethical weddings.
Fairtrade (all one word and usually capitalised) is for products that meet Fairtrade standards and bear the blue and black Fairtrade logo. These standards only exist for food/drink and a small number of other commodities such as cotton. Fair trade/fair trade/fairly traded (always two separate words) are used to describe all other products that support similar principles. These may or may not comply with the Fair Trade principles drawn up by the World Fair trade Organisation, so at Fair Trader we assess all our products using a panel of members and the process detailed on our assessment page.
You’d be joining a group of people trying hard to improve things for children and families in the developing world. It affords you the opportunity to volunteer in whatever way suits you best, to meet new people, learn new skills and take part in events and workshops. Members also get a small loyalty discount on purchases and on tickets for events.
The minimum shareholding for membership is one £20 share. Buy one or more £20 shares.
As of December 2018, there were 650 members.
No. Many are from the north of England. Some are from London and around the UK. We also have members in Australia, St Vincent, France and elsewhere.
Most people join as individuals. Some organisations such as schools, suppliers, churches and companies join as corporate members.
A wide range of well-designed, ethically-sourced products and gifts including homewares, food and drink, fashion and accessories for men and women, jewellery, stationery and cards, toys and books for babies and young children.
Yes please! We are keen to find exceptional products, especially from co-operatives in developing countries. Send us as much information as you can about any product that fits this bill. We are also looking for UK-made products with a strong ethical story.
Small producers, especially co-operatives, from many countries around the world. We also have some local and UK products that have a positive impact on our community.
Your chance (either in Yorkshire or remotely), to help us make a difference. Be part of our team; learn or share skills. We are a dedicated, friendly, enthusiastic bunch of volunteers – and we need more people.
Organise and help at events, research information about possible suppliers, help in the shop, process orders, deal with recycling, design displays, create and maintain website, write copy for social media…
The most important thing is that you are reliable, interested and keen to learn.
Email (info@fairtrader.coop), phone (+44 (0)1484 690515) or visit the shop in Holmfirth.
When we make a surplus (co-operative term for profit), we use it to invest in our partners in developing countries, support local producers and improve the shop.
We work with many suppliers around the world. For a few of their stories, take a look at our Suppliers’ Stories page.
By visiting our shop at Holmfirth, or online at www.fairtrader.coop.
No. One member = one vote, irrespective of level of investment.
No. Full terms and conditions are available on our Membership page.
Full name and postal address. It is also very helpful if you provide us with an email address for us for us to send you notices of AGM and a small number of other communications. We respect your privacy and undertake never to pass on your details to third parties.
The primary focus of Fair Trader is to support the children and families of producer communities in developing countries. However, we also support our local community by featuring the work of local artists and designer-makers and stocking products from appropriate local suppliers. We attend meetings of the Holme Valley Support Group.
Through the website, Facebook, Twitter, blog and e-newsletters. Staff members are always happy to chat to customers in the shop.
Through an Annual General Meeting held in the summer of each year. All members are encouraged to attend.
Website & Product FAQ’s
Delivery is free on orders of £50 and over. For orders under £50 the delivery charge will be £4.95. Delivery will be to the address specified in your order.
The delivery time will depend on the postage option you choose. For the 24-hour shipping option, please allow 1-3 working days for your order to arrive. For 48-hour shipping, please allow 3-5 working days.
We will always endeavour to get your order to you on schedule but occasionally, events beyond our control may delay deliveries. If your order does not arrive 24 hours after the shipping date, please contact us and we will trace your order.
Unfortunately, sometimes damage can occur in transit. If you’ve received a damaged product please get in touch with us, including a photo of the damage and we will either provide a refund for the damaged item(s) or arrange replacement(s).
If it’s been over 24 hours since your order was due to arrive, please contact us via email and we will look into it for you.
Royal Mail uses the ‘Challenge 25’ policy, so, you may be asked to show ID if the Royal Mail staff member believes you look under the age of 25.
We use Royal Mail to deliver our orders.
Yes, you can return an item if you are unhappy with it or have changed your mind. You can post an item back to us at our Holmfirth address or drop the item off in-store. Please note that postage must be paid on returns.
The website features a range of specially curated items from the store, so the item you’re looking for may also be available there. However, this isn’t guaranteed, so if you have your eye on something online, the best approach might be to purchase it through the site and collect it in store to ensure you get it.
At the moment we only ship in the UK, due to cost of postage, although we may look at expanding our shipping regions in the future. If you live outside of the UK and would be interested in purchasing from Fair Trader, please get in touch with us via email.
Online orders are dispatched the next working day after they are received.