Product Releases

Ten Thousand Villages Introduces New Artisan Partners

Fair Trade Retailer Begins Relationships with New Artisan Partners around the Globe
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Ten Thousand Villages Offers Educational Toys for Back-to-School

Handcrafted Puzzles, Musical Instruments and Games Make Learning Fun
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Company Releases

Ten Thousand Villages Introduces Heirloom Anthology

New Collection Inspires Theme: Preserving Cultures, Sustaining Lives
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Ten Thousand Villages Introduces Carved Home Decor Featuring Angkor Motifs

Artisans in Cambodia Inspired by 9th Century Carvings
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Ten Thousand Villages Named to World’s Most Ethical Company List

Fair Trade Retailer Named to Top 100 List by Ethisphere Institute for Third Year in a Row
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Ten Thousand Villages Selected One of “World’s Most Ethical Companies” for Second Year

Fair trade retailer again among distinguished list
announced by Forbes and The Ethisphere Institute.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(AKRON, PA) – Once again in 2009, with selection based on factors like corporate citizenship and responsibility; legal, regulatory and reputation track record; internal ethics/compliance program; and innovation that contributes to public well being, The Ethisphere Institute and Forbes Magazine recognized Ten Thousand Villages as one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies.” The 99 recipients of the internationally acclaimed award were revealed by the Ethisphere Institute in April, designating companies it says are the world’s most ethical, its third annual listing designed to encourage ethical practices within the global business community. The winners were chosen among nominations from 100 countries and 35 industries.

“We are, once more, honored to be recognized among this selection of major companies,” said Ten Thousand Villages Chief Executive Officer, Craig Schloneger. “As a nonprofit retail operation, even in difficult economic circumstances, we continue to strive to be fair trade leaders, coupling our mission with sustainable economic and environmental practices. This repeat recognition validates our continuing commitment to fair trade and to serving the needs of both the artisans who supply our products, and the customers who purchase them.”

Researchers and analysts with The Ethisphere Institute reviewed more than 10,000 of the world’s leading companies on six continents including a rigorous, multi-step evaluation process. Among Ten Thousand Villages’ peers recognized in the class of specialty retail operations were IKEA, Gap, Best Buy, Marks & Spencer, and Trader Joe’s.

“Ten Thousand Villages is proud to promote ethics in the marketplace, and to treat people fairly from the beginning of the supply chain to the very end of the market chain,” Schloneger expressed. “We continue to be called to act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly for we have a big responsibility and a tremendous opportunity … to motivate our customers with our business ethics, to empower our suppliers on a daily basis and to make a positive impact on the world in which we live.”

This year, Ten Thousand Villages customers are sharing their ‘reasons’ for supporting the artisans and operations, by visiting the company’s newly launched website: www.myonereason.com. “The site reveals how passionate Ten Thousand Villages customers are about supporting fair trade and about our unique business model,” added Schloneger.

The Ethisphere Institute and its associated membership group is dedicated to the research, creation and sharing of best practices in ethics, compliance and corporate governance among companies. Members of the 2009 “World’s Most Ethical Companies” will be published in the globally-recognized annual World Most Ethical Companies Ranking^TM, as well as the Government Contractor Ethics Program Ranking^TM and the upcoming Global Anti-Corruption Quotient.  Additionally, Ten Thousand Villages and other members of the carefully researched and selected listing will again be featured in an upcoming issue of Forbes and in the Q2 issue of Ethisphere Magazine.

For more than 60 years, Ten Thousand Villages has been establishing long-term buying relationships in places where skilled artisans lack opportunities for stable income. The commitment to support artisans around the globe is strengthened through fair trade compensation practices including cash advances and prompt payments. As the company continues to grow, Ten Thousand Villages has become increasingly conscious of the need to marry the concept of fair trade with healthy and environmentally sustainable business practices. From store operations to product sourcing to marketing practices, Ten Thousand Villages strives to meet the “triple bottom line” of economic, environmental and social sustainability.

Founded in 1946, the company has grown from the trunk of founder Edna Ruth Byler’s car to a network of more than 150 retail outlets throughout the United States. Ten Thousand Villages is an exceptional source for unique handmade gifts, jewelry, home décor, art & sculpture and personal accessories made by artisans in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. One of the world’s largest fair trade organizations and a founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization (formerly IFAT), the company strives to improve the livelihood of tens of thousands of disadvantaged artisans in 38 countries. Product sales help pay for food, education, healthcare and housing for artisans who would otherwise be unemployed or underemployed.  Ten Thousand Villages is a nonprofit program of Mennonite Central Committee.

For more information on an extraordinarily rewarding shopping experience, or to find the store location nearest you, visit www.tenthousandvillages.com.

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