A MARKET trader in Ipswich today said sales of her Fairtrade items were booming while globalisation crumbles.Jo Crampton's Enterprising Hippies stall has doubled in size since she set up on the Cornhill in November last year.

A MARKET trader in Ipswich today said sales of her Fairtrade items were booming while globalisation crumbles.

Jo Crampton's Enterprising Hippies stall has doubled in size since she set up on the Cornhill in November last year.

She claims the expansion has been fuelled by customers looking for original, ethical goods as they turn their backs on the high street stores in the global downturn.

Ms Crampton, 40, of Wickham Market, said: “I am selling good quality goods and they are different.

“There is a lot of scaremongering going on about the recession, but most people I speak to say they are ok about it.

“They are looking for items which are a good investment and they are making more of a stand against the run-of-the-mill high street.”

She was speaking during Fairtrade Fortnight 2009 - a campaign launched last Monday to encourage people to buy ethical products.

Fairtrade aims to improve trading practices by guaranteeing a fair price for marginalised producers around the world and a social premium to spend on community projects.

Ms Crampton said: “Fairtrade is a far more sustainable long-term partnership for small businesses and farmers. I am getting such good feedback from people.”

The East of England Co-operative Society is supporting this year's Fairtrade Fortnight with a series of initiatives across Suffolk, including food and wine tasting.

For more information, visit www.eastofengland.coop or for further details about Fairtrade Fortnight, go to www.fairtrade.org.uk.

Are you buying more Fairtrade products? Write to Your Letters, The Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk