Fair Trade Shops v Coronavirus Lockdown

Nicola Taylor • May 26, 2020

Case Studies of Shops Managing to Trade During Lockdown

Many shops have been closed for quite a few weeks or even months now as part of the coronavirus lockdown. It has been a time of uncertainty and worry for everyone which has resulted in some of our shops having to think of different ways to trade to ensure they are still able to serve their loyal customers during this time and still continue to trade as, for some, this is their only source of income. 
Here's how some of our shops are surviving the pandemic, in the hope that this might give you a bit of inspiration and belief that you can do something similar.

If you have other ideas, then please get in touch so we can share with others in our fair trade shop community.  
Volunteer with the last delivery of the day

GAVIN'S MILL FAIR TRADE SHOP, NEAR GLASGOW


Gavin’s Mill shop had to close in March along with so many others to help combat the spread of Covid-19. However, determined to continue providing a service to local people, the Gavin’s Mill team responded to market conditions by opening its very own online shop. We knew our customers were having difficulty getting some of the staples they needed and also that they would struggle to find some of the less common products we stock as part of our comprehensive, international range. We also wanted to ensure that products from Fair Trade producers would continue to be on sale, especially those from developing countries which are also now having to deal with Covid-19, with much less of a safety net than is available here.


The Gavin’s Mill shop is open for browsing 24 hours a day and orders can be placed any time after 10am on Saturday. Cut off time for orders is noon on Tuesday, for collection on Thursday morning between 11 and 1. Deliveries can be arranged to local postcodes for a flat fee of £3 to those people who cannot collect their orders.
Volunteers operating behind perspex

GOOD TASTE FAIR TRADE SHOP, SHEFFIELD


When we had to close our fair trade shop I was really upset. I could understand why, but could also see how much I was personally going to miss it.

As we sold food, we quite quickly set up a system whereby customers could download the food order form from our website and email me an order which I would then deliver to their home. We already had a mobile payment machine so I took that or people paid directly by BACS. This has continued and I do 2 or 3 deliveries several days a week. 


I pack the orders as cleanly as possible and am very careful to keep my distance on the doorstep. People have appreciated the service – especially those who aren’t going out at all.

We also took the opportunity to deep clean the shop and tidy it up a bit so there is more space between the units. We are finalising our Covid-19 policy ready for reopening in June and are going to carry on offering home delivery for those customers who are unable to come to us.


One of the highlights has been selling so much Kilombero rice. We set up a donation page to do two 90kg rice challenges in aid of our local Foodbank soon after lockdown, and achieved them in less than a week. The Foodbank has subsequently completed another 90kg challenge with money that they have had donated, and we have sold 33 bags via the deliveries.
Order all packed and ready for delivery

ONE WORLD SHOP, EDINBURGH


One World Shop has been closed since March, but we are now solely trading via our online shop, we've seen a big increase in websales over the past 2 months compared with this time last year. 


For local orders, we deliver them direct to people's doors and for the rest we send via the post office or a courier. For those who can't make an online order, they can phone up and place an order and we will arrange a local delivery.
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