Sainsbury’s now world’s largest Fairtrade retailer
UK supermarket Sainsbury’s today announced its position as the largest retailer of Fairtrade products in the world, with sales of £218m, up 10% from last year.
Sainsbury’s stocks more than 800 different Fairtrade products, including bananas, clothing and Sainsbury’s-brand tea, coffee and sugar. It is estimated that almost a quarter of Britain’s Fairtrade spending is done at Sainsbury’s.
In addition to paying a growers a fair price, sales of these products generate an annual Fairtrade premium of US$16 million for investment in social improvements such as education, healthcare, farm improvements or processing facilities in the product’s place of origin.
Sainsbury’s customer director, Gwyn Burr, said: “As the world’s largest Fairtrade retailer, and a supporter since it was launched 15 years ago, we are extremely proud of our progress. Despite the current focus on price and great value, shoppers clearly want to know that producers are getting a fair deal too. We believe that Fairtrade is a great way to provide customers with the best of both worlds – ethically sourced products at affordable prices.”
