Trade Aid Whaingaroa is currently bursting at the seams with beautiful products made by talented artisans from around the world. The irony is that while the store is packed to the rafters with products and bustling with shoppers, as of late August Trade Aid Whaingaroa will shut its doors for good.
Trade Aid Whaingaroa is just one of the 24 Trade Aid stores nationwide that will be progressively closed this year. Trade Aid has faced a challenging environment in the past two years: the cost-of-living crisis has led to rising costs and diminishing sales, which has significantly impacted the organisation’s financial performance. To ensure its ongoing sustainability, Trade Aid has made the difficult decision to begin the process of progressively closing its stores.
However, you will still be able to purchase Trade Aid products – just in a different way. Trade Aid’s business model is adapting to focus on online retail sales and wholesale craft, food, and coffee. It is now going to be easier for anyone, anywhere in New Zealand to purchase fair trade products. Trade Aid aims to make fair trade products more accessible to Kiwis by inspiring more New Zealand retailers and manufacturers to purchase fair trade guaranteed products.
This store and its volunteers have made a huge contribution to the fair trade movement in New Zealand by educating Kiwis about the importance of fair trade practice and why we should buy better; and helping sell products to better the lives of our partners in countries like Bangladesh, Mexico, India, Vietnam and many more countries. The Trade Aid Whaingaroa store has been an integral part of Whaingaroa’s community and will be missed.
You can help support Trade Aid by heading into Trade Aid Whaingaroa to shop; the 50%-70% off sale (excluding food and beverage) will remain running until the store’s close at the end of July – or while stocks last. It’s important to note that all goods in the sale have been paid for at the same fair price as always – Trade Aid’s partners never have to compromise on price regardless of a sale.
Trade Aid would like to thank the staff, volunteers, and customers that have supported Trade Aid Whaingaroa and the fair trade movement of Aotearoa. Trade Aid remains unwavering in its purpose; to educate and inspire others to support fair trade and to improve producers’ and farmers’ lives by providing them with an income through fair trade.
For more information contact Eloise at whaingaroa@tradeaid.org.nz or 07 825 7105.
