World of Good Meets Growing Demand for Fair Trade Goods With Launch of Houseware Line, Retail Partnerships
Oct 2, 2006

PRNewswire

World of Good, a rapidly growing fair trade gift and housewares company, today announced that it continues to break new ground with the introduction of a houseware line and new retail partnerships with Wild Oats and Wegman's Food Markets.
World of Good has grown demand for fair trade goods in the U.S. by offering an extensive collection of beautifully handcrafted gift items, jewelry and fashion accessories through traditional retail environments. The company decided to move into housewares after a highly successful test launch.

"We knew we were on to something when our bamboo bowls sold out so fast we had to airlift in new products -- not once, but twice," said Priya Haji, CEO and co-founder of World of Good. "We're fulfilling our mission by improving the lives of 3,500 artisans and their families worldwide, while simultaneously growing awareness for ethically sourced, sustainably produced goods to this country."

World of Good is experiencing record growth, with sales increases of 400% this year and more than triple the total retail space during the same time period -- proving that ethically sourced sustainable enterprises can also be successful businesses. At Whole Foods, the company has grown its footprint in current stores, while expanding into new regions including the Pacific Northwest, Southeast and New York.

Just in time for Fair Trade month, World of Good will launch a distribution partnership with Wild Oats, one of the nation's top natural food retailers. The company will also introduce gift and houseware lines at Wegman's, a leading grocery outlet in the Northeast and Mid Atlantic.

"Our consumers are hungry for ethically sourced, sustainable goods, yet many people don't realize that fair trade extends beyond coffee," says Wild Oats' national category manager, Karen Schroeder. "Through World of Good, we offer a beautiful selection of fairly traded items -- all within the convenience of a natural food shopping experience."

For more information on World of Good and the new houseware line, visit www.worldofgood.com .

Founded in 2004, World of Good is a leading fair trade gift company, bringing beautiful, high-quality handcrafted jewelry, scarves, bags, gifts, housewares and accessories to U.S. markets. Working with more than 150 artisan groups, NGOs, and non profits in 31 developing countries around the world, the company facilitates sustainable livelihoods for thousands of artisans and their families. World of Good products can be found in natural food stores, bookstores, and specialty retailers nationwide, and at www.worldofgood.com.

World of Good: Development Organization, the company's 501(c)(3) non- profit arm, is dedicated to investing in economic and social development projects in craft-producer communities throughout the world, and building a stronger Fair Trade crafts movement in the US.