Product Development

Product development is defined as “the complete process of bringing a new product or service to market.”

The Culture Shop takes a unique approach to facilitate outreach and development initiatives with cooperatives and community enterprises in developing new fair trade products. On a planet where a billion culture-rich people are so financially poor they can barely survive on $1 per day, our mission is to actively work with global cooperatives and community enterprises to develop and market innovative fair trade products.

From home décor to handicrafts; greeting cards to calendars; textiles to furniture; product development remains on the forefront of the fair trade movement as we work to achieve the desired economic growth of our global artisans. With over 25 years experience in product development in the apparel, design and marketing industry, the strength of the Culture Shop design team is to design and market products that belong in your home or on your body. We take pride in utilizing the Shop as a proving ground for our discerning clients - before moving forward with development.

Our passion is to aid our artisans to translate their own ideas and creations into products that can be developed for production to a wider market. We help the artists to stand tall against this injustice, to earn their fair rewards, and to give the world audience a unique chance to be enlightened and to collaborate in the journey toward a more fair and equitable society.

When we go to market, we are often challenged with the product selections. The Culture Shop store and website has a unique look and feel – one that energizes us to constantly search for selections and services that will impress our five senses. Before we introduce our selections to you, they must first meet our very strict checklist.

Going on buying trips allows us to remain vigilant about the product we select for our clients. We are constantly exploring partnerships and collaborations with global cooperatives that will allow for a mutually beneficial working relationship.

If you're interested in potentially working with us on a project, or know of a group that we may want to partner with, please contact us.

“Creativity can solve almost any problem. The creative act, the defeat of habitby originality, overcomes everything."
-- George Lois