Retailers gear up for Fairtrade Fortnight

Fairtrade Fortnight kicks off on Sunday 22 February with retailers across the country supporting it with price promotions on Fairtrade wines.

The Co-op, which has the largest Fairtrade wine range in the UK, will run a television and cinema advertising campaign during the Fortnight highlighting its commitment to Fairtrade and launch two new wines. It will also have 20% off all own-brand Fairtrade Wines.

Nicholas Ingham, founder of Fairtrade wine brand Equality, urged the trade and consumers to support the Fairtrade. "It's quite simple - you don't have to change your shopping habits - just enjoy a bottle of great wine and know that you are making a difference to the producers and their communities," he said.

The Fairtrade Foundation has reported a massive rise in sales in 2008. UK Fairtrade sales increase by 43% to reach an estimated retail value of more than £700 million.

However purchases of wine are still low compared with other Fairtrade products such as bananas and coffee. Wine Intelligence research has shown 72% of consumers who were aware of Fairtrade wine said they would be prepared to pay an extra 50p for a wine made by Fairtrade producers; 45% said they would pay an extra £1 or more.

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