Kiwi retailer Trade Aid has closed all of its physical retail outlets due to the harsh economy and the brand’s financial issues. 

Trade Aid’s business model will now centre on online retail and the wholesaling of crafts, foods, and coffee. The brand says it aims to make fair trade items more readily available to Kiwis by encouraging more New Zealand retailers and producers to stock guaranteed fair trade products.

“To ensure its ongoing sustainability, Trade Aid has made the difficult decision to begin the process of progressively reducing its retail network,” the company wrote in its official statement. 

“However, through focusing on importing, wholesaling, and selling online Trade Aid remains committed to its purpose; to improve producers’ and farmers’ lives by providing them with a fair income and a way out of structural poverty, and to raise Kiwi’s awareness of fair trade.” 

Trade Aid, founded in 1973, is a social organisation that promotes fair trade by partnering with small food and craft producers all around the world. The company also established itself as a market leader in fair trade coffee sourcing, supporting ethical supply chains for some of New Zealand’s coffee companies.

The company’s network includes 500,000 producers and farmers in 25 countries, as well as more than 1300 Kiwi businesses, volunteers, employees, and customers. 

• Further reading: Kono NZ closes Annies after long-running losses.