Today's Economy Affecting Retailers?

You betcha! And, I believe more so for those retailers like myself that market not based on the lowest price but on creating social awareness. When the going gets tough or the dollar needs to be stretched ,consumers look for the lowest price possible. I don't blame them; I do too. Let me back up a bit. I sell products made by craftspeople from around the world, normally from third world countries where health care, quality food, and even the old roof over the head, can be considered luxuries. Buying crafts from Fair Trade organizations or groups using Fair Trade methods to do business means the people making them are being paid a living wage. A living wage is not the minimum wage. Ever tried to live on the minimum wage here in the good old US of A? Pretty tough, now try it in Peru or Vietnam. A living wage is typically higher than the minimum wage paid out in that country. It allows for the worker to be able to afford better food and housing, health care and schooling.

That's all good, but what happens is that the cost of the product is a bit, and I mean just a bit, higher to the buyer (me), but I know its worth it. Then comes transportation costs. Because I am a small retailer, I buy small lots which means a lot of air freight. Fly lately? The cost of fuel has skyrocketed and that means products coming from overseas cost a lot more. Often, I pay more in transportation costs than I do the product.

So what does all this mean? Well, the other day I was in need of some springtime inspiration and decided to visit one of these large chain clothing and home decor stores. With a new pair of sandals in hand I decided to stroll the home decor aisles and was floored to see African masks, bamboo bowls from Vietnam, majolica ware from Mexico all on sale for prices even cheaper than buying them direct from the artisan group. And, to make matters worse, the aisles were full of my target audience loading up on the sale items. I thought to myself, do they know that when they buy this some poor child may have made it? Or that, the artisan may be working long days in unsanitary conditions? Fair Trade has not made it into the big chains and to be honest, a lot of people still do not understand the concept.

Just because we have to start pinching pennies due to our slowing economy doesn't mean our conscious buying decisions should be thrown out the door. Now more than ever, it is important to think about the whole process - who made it, where did it come from, is this something I need, will this be something I won't toss into the garbage in a few weeks, is it made from sustainable materials, and on and on?

Ownership means more than plunking down your credit card. Ownership means taking responsibility!