I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to our blog and to give you an idea of what we are all about here at Ethical Trading Group.
Ethical Trading Group operates a wholesale and range of retail outlets in all states of Australia. The Group was founded in 2010 as a commercially focused social enterprise organisation, as such the social purpose is enshrined in the constitution of the organisation.
We focus on the sale and distribution, through both retail outlets and wholesale sales, of a wide variety of products which support social and environmental sustainability goals, ensuring workers’ rights and developing sustainable businesses within disadvantaged and developing communities.
A fair trade focus ensures better prices for suppliers, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for workers in the developing world. As such we are committed to paying sustainable prices and addressing the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. This enables suppliers to improve their position and have more control over their lives.
Like many retail and wholesale businesses, we do not own the factories that make our products. We work with selected suppliers, many of which are long term, and support 700,000 workers across three continents. We take our responsibility to the workers in the factories, their communities, our customers, and our stakeholders seriously. We only select products which are made with respect for the environment, in good working conditions, and are sustainable.
The organisation operates as a wholesaler to retail businesses in Australia and operates our own retail outlets in cities in every state and territory of Australia. Plans are currently underway to facilitate sustainable manufacturing in Australia in remote indigenous communities and to open our online store and social media accounts, to take our business into the global market. We believe we can make a difference in the world of fair trade.
In addition, we are planning on providing micro-loans for suppliers and customers. We believe that this will be of great benefit to overseas suppliers and low income earners in Australia. Microcredit is the extension of very small loans (microloans) to borrowers who typically lack collateral, steady employment and a verifiable credit history. They are designed not only to support entrepreneurship and alleviate poverty, but also in many cases to empower women and uplift entire communities by extension.
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