For nearly five decades, The Body Shop has been synonymous with ethical gifting. Their gifts aren’t just presents, they’re a symbol of hope. Enriched with ingredients or packaging from their Community Fair Trade partners, these gifts embody the spirit of giving. With every purchase, you’re not just celebrating with your loved ones, you’re extending your love to communities worldwide.
To make this even more special, The Body Shop India introduced bespoke recycled cotton gift pouches, that customers can fill in with the treats they love. These pouches are skilfully crafted by Teddy Exports, The Body Shop’s first Community Fair Trade partner in India, and each one carries the uplifting stories of the incredible women working there. Teddy Exports not only provides a fair income but also meaningful employment to over 600 individuals, such as artisan Mrs. Murugeswari, who has been able to provide educational support for her children, or Mrs. Kasthuri, who has been able to receive training in tailoring in a supportive environment.
Tara Murphy, Operations Coordinator at Teddy Exports says, “At Teddy Exports, we are immensely proud to have worked with The Body Shop for over 35 years. Our artisans work diligently to produce these recycled cotton gift pouches that hold the essence of festive joy. Together with The Body Shop, we are not just crafting pouches, we are crafting a brighter, more hopeful future for all.”
Harmeet Singh, VP of Marketing E-commerce & Product, Asia South, The Body Shop, says “As we share this video with the world, we want you to feel the heartbeat of The Body Shop. ‘Spark A Change’ is an emotional and inspiring journey for us. It’s about the connections we make, the lives we touch, and the positive change we help create together.’
To help ignite further change, The Body Shop India also launched a donation campaign, inviting customers to make an impact with every purchase by contributing multiples of 10 rupees until the end of 2023 to support Teddy Trust’s3 pioneering projects.
About The Body Shop International
Founded in 1976 in Brighton, England, by Dame Anita Roddick, The Body Shop is a global beauty brand and a certified B Corp™. The Body Shop seeks to make a positive difference in the world by offering high-quality, naturally-inspired skincare, body care, haircare and make-up produced ethically and sustainably. Having pioneered the philosophy that business can be a force for good, this changemaking ethos is still the brand’s driving force. The Body Shop operates around 2,500 retail locations in more than 80 countries. The Body Shop is part of Natura & Co Holding.
(1) Community Fair Trade
The Body Shop’s Community Fair Trade programme began in 1987 as ‘Trade Not Aid’, with Teddy Exports in India. Today the programme sources ingredients, gift and accessory products from 18 supplier groups in 14 countries, reaching over 10,000 producers, farmers and artisans worldwide. Women represent over 60% of the people directly impacted by these trade partnerships, providing fair prices and vital financial independence to people living in rural areas with limited economic opportunities. The Body Shop also works in partnership with Community Fair Trade suppliers to drive positive social and environmental impact through community projects.
(2) Teddy Exports:
Teddy Exports is a fair trade export company in Thirumangalam, southern India. Teddy Exports has been a Community Fair Trade partner of The Body Shop since 1987. This partnership provides economic opportunities for 450 artisans who produce high-quality textile and wooden products in a sustainable way. Teddy Exports has an inclusive approach to employment, offering opportunities for many who would struggle to find employment elsewhere due to their social backgrounds or disabilities. They have excellent working conditions and many on-site facilities including a canteen, a creche, schools and farm. Teddy Exports also pioneer impactful community projects through their Teddy Trust.
(3) The Teddy Trust
As well as providing safe employment, Teddy Exports created The Teddy Trust (their own charitable foundation) which facilitates many social initiatives for their employees and local community including education and HIV/Aids intervention.