Co-operative shoppers will find staff dancing in the aisles at a Fairtrade tea dance when they visit the Co-operative store on Monday 22nd February.
Staff will be dressed in formal dance competition outfits, ready to waltz around the store while encouraging customers to switch from conventional brands to Fairtrade products in “The Big Swap”.
The event coincides with the start of Fairtrade Fortnight (22nd February to 7th March), the annual celebration of Fairtrade aimed at raising the profile of Fairtrade Mark products, which help producers in developing countries by guaranteeing fair prices and providing an additional social premium to fund vital community projects.
Customers who make the switch from conventional tea brands to Fairtrade tea will benefit growers in some of the world’s poorest countries, including Malawi, which produces tea for The Co-operative’s iconic 99 Tea brand.
The Co-operative, a leading supporter of Fairtrade, has an extensive Fairtrade range covering everything from chocolate to fruit and nuts, cereals, hot and cold drinks, cakes and a market-leading wine range. To encourage shoppers to switch, The Co-operative is offering up to 20 per cent off selected Fairtrade products from now until 9th March 2010.
Alderley Edge Co-operative food store manager Rachel Stanway said: “We don’t mind doing the Cha Cha if it helps encourage our shoppers to support Fairtrade and choose Fairtrade tea and other Fairtrade products over other brands.”
