Fair Trader: Rebranding a fairtrade cooperative
WPA Pinfold
Executive summary
18 months after launching the Fair Traders Cooperative, the Society was facing closure. The organisation was making a loss and the business model was not working — the notes to accounts for that year say it all:
"…the company has reported an operating loss for the year. The directors consider that the outlook presents significant challenges in terms of sales volume and pricing as well as input costs. Whilst the directors have instituted measures to preserve cash, these circumstances create material uncertainties over future trading results and cashflows.
The...