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.

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.

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A woman standing at church fair trade stall with lots of delicious fair trade products available

How to Run a True Origin Fair Trade Stall at Your Church

By Nicola Taylor • July 3, 2026

A Fair Trade stall is about so much more than selling tea, coffee and chocolate. Every purchase supports smallholder farmers and producers who are working incredibly hard to build sustainable livelihoods in the face of climate change, rising fuel costs and an unpredictable global market. For many of the communities we work with, having reliable customers is essential. By running a True Origin stall at your church, you become part of that support network, helping to create regular demand for products that often aren't available in supermarkets or high street shops. Whether your church is passionate about global justice, caring for creation or simply making a practical difference, a Fair Trade stall is a simple but powerful way to turn those values into action. Start Small You don't need a huge team or a large budget to get started. Begin by talking with your church leaders about the idea. Many churches are happy to provide a small loan or donation to purchase initial stock, particularly if it can be repaid gradually as sales grow. Remember that most of the income from a stall is best reinvested into buying more stock rather than raising money for church funds. This helps keep the stall sustainable and ensures producers continue to receive orders. If you're new to running a stall, don't worry, you won't be on your own. The True Origin team and experienced Fair Traders are always happy to share advice and practical tips.