What is ethical shopping ?

ShopByImpact ®

Wouldn't it be great if every product you bought were generating a positive impact?

Shop by Impact ® means being able to shop for products while making choices about the impact you want your purchase to have on the world. At Inclusive Trade we source and develop our products ethically by charting our supply chain and the story of each artisan and maker.

We are guided by 4 key factors, strongly based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Inclusive Trade is a platform that promotes artisans and makers who have a positive impact on the planet & their people.

Several of the artisans and makers you see on our platform are part of our existing network that we have built over the past 15 years of working closely on international trade and development with communities and small businesses across the fashion and textiles value chain globally.

While being stylish, rare and beautiful, all Inclusive Trade products are created to have a positive impact on the world.

Read more about each of the impact factors that make up our ethos...

1) Environmental Impact: what does this mean to us?

Responsible consumption and production (UN SDG 12) and Climate action (UN SDG 13) for all, are key growth indicators and goals set out as part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. At Inclusive Trade we believe that UN goals focussed on protecting the climate and promoting sustainable practises can achieved through everyday consumption of responsible products by each of us.

As part of our selection process and criteria, we have placed Environmental Impact as one of our four key areas.

Our category on Environmental Impact currently focuses on bringing to the forefront, products that are made with a strong focus on:

- using recycled elements / raw materials,

- a focus on organic materials and organic methods of production,

- using upcyled materials

- conserving energy during production

- minimising waste in the process of production

- recycling of waste or supporting recycling of waste generated during production - using natural processes and materials which cause less harm to the environment during production, to the producer while making it and to the consumer while wearing and using it

We speak with all our business partners and ask them specific questions and document evidence through photography and through in company (or workshop) interviews where possible.

2) Social Impact: what does this mean to us?

No Poverty (UN SDG 1), Decent Work and Economic Growth (UN SDG 8) and Reduced Inequalities (UN SDG 10) for all, are key growth indicators and goals set out as part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

At Inclusive Trade, Social Impact is at the very core of our work. Majority of our brands have a large positive impact on the communities within which they work and operate. From providing local embroiderers, spinners and weavers with employment to changing the lives of an entire village bringing it out of poverty and unemployment, our products focus on providing decent work and support reduction of inequalities.

As part of our selection process and criteria, we have placed Social Impact as one of our four key areas.

Our category on Social Impact currently focuses on bringing to the forefront, products that are made with a strong focus on:

- supporting communities with decent employment and work

- providing a safe and secure environment for work

- having a zero tolerance to child labour

- offering training and supporting employees and / or the community to upgrade and better their skills

- abiding by national regulations focussed on the wages, health and safety

- promoting and offering equal opportunities

We speak with all our business partners and ask them specific questions and document evidence through photography and through in company (or workshop) interviews where possible.

3) Gender Inclusivity: what does this mean to us?

Gender Equality (UN SDG 5), Providing Decent Work and Economic Growth (UN SDG 8) for All and Reduced Inequalities (UN SDG 10) are key growth indicators and goals set out as part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At Inclusive Trade we believe that these UN indicators focussed on economic growth and development and inclusivity for all, naturally go hand in hand with doing good business. As part of our selection process and criteria, we have placed Gender Inclusivity as one of our four key areas.

In the many years of working with female artisans and small entrepreneurs across the world through the NGO SPINNA Circle, we have had the opportunity to see some of the most amazing work come out of places and organisations that have intact focused either 'formally' or 'informally' on bringing diversity and gender inclusivity into their businesses. At the same time, it is heart breaking to see how many such great artists and creative entrepreneurs from small villages and marginalised areas remain hidden.

Our category on Gender Inclusivity focuses on bringing to the forefront, products that are made with a strong focus on:

- supporting female artisans, entrepreneurs,

- supporting the LGBT community,

- supporting communities marginalised based on gender discrimination

- supporting those people who actively promote diversity in their businesses through equal opportunities in the true sense

We speak with all our business partners and ask them specific questions and document evidence through photography and through in company (or workshop) interviews where possible.

4) Preservation of craft skills: what does this mean to us?

With a background in textiles, international trade and development, we as a team at Inclusive Trade are passionate about art and creativity. Through our work, we have been fortunate over the years, to have documented and worked closely with artists and artisans from various parts of the world. With the help of technology, we are now able to bring some of these amazing skills and techniques to you. As part of our selection process and criteria, we have placed Preserving Craft Skills as one of our four key areas.

Products that fall into the impact criteria of 'Preserving Craft Skills' have a strong focus on the following :

- are made using a specific craft skill (such as dyeing, weaving, knitting, printing, felting, embroidery, painting, tapestry)

- are original pieces of work by an artist (could be any medium such as paintings and illustrations)

- are textile, fashion or lifestyle products co-developed with the artist which draw attention to craft skills

- are products made using a traditional technique or raw materials from a specific region or location

We speak with all our business partners and ask them specific questions and document evidence through photography and through in company (or workshop) interviews where possible.