Coinciding with the beginning of Fairtrade fortnight, Tesco has launched a Fairtrade grocery range of 15 products. This move by the UK’s leading supermarket highlights the growing consumer demand for higher ethical standards from retailers and producers. With the strength of the Tesco brand behind it, the ethical consumerism trend in the UK looks set to become firmly established.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more


Tesco’s 15-product Fairtrade range, which includes orange juice, cookies, coffee, tea, chocolate and South African wine, has been developed in conjunction with the Fairtrade Foundation. There will also be Fairtrade fresh produce including mangos, bananas, plums, grapes, apples, oranges and lemons. Also, for the first time in the UK, Fairtrade flowers will go on sale under Tesco’s own label and will include mixed and luxury roses from Kenya.


The launch will take the total number of Fairtrade products available in Tesco to 60 as the supermarket will continue to stock other Fairtrade brands such as Cafedirect, Clipper and Divine. Tesco will support Fairtrade Fortnight by promoting the new range with in-store tastings, promotional offers and information on Fairtrade.


It is likely that the new range will particularly appeal to middle-aged professionals, as those on high incomes tend to be the most active ethical consumers. As with organic food and drinks, affluence has a strong influence on consumers’ willingness to buy ethically.


Consumers are increasingly seeking to derive not only functional benefits but also ‘feel good’ emotional benefits from the products they consume. Recent statistics from the Fairtrade Federation highlight that sales of Fairtrade products – aimed at giving developing world farmers a fair financial return for their labours – have increased by 46% in the last year to £92m.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

There is mounting pressure on businesses in all sectors to act with, or at least present an image of, corporate social responsibility (CSR). This means that companies are more willing to provide products and services that fit in with and reflect the lifestyle and ethical choices that consumers wish to make.


Tesco’s launch illustrates that Fairtrade is becoming more established in the mainstream and with the UK’s largest retailer throwing its marketing muscle behind the trend it can only become more popular.


(c) 2004 Datamonitor. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without prior written consent. Datamonitor shall not be liable for errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.