Peru Volunteering-Social-Fair Trade Retail Assistant - Bridge of Hope

Description

Bridge of Hope operates with a very small staff and few resources. Their main retail outlet is a small store located inside a hotel in a touristic area of Lima, where they sell the fair trade products that their artisan groups create.
They are looking to improve their business management and promote the local sale of fair trade products. More sales that the store is able to generate means that the artisans are able to earn a fair and dignified income to improve the lives of their families. It is also essential to educate customers and the public about the importance of ethical shopping and its positive impact on the artisans lives.
A volunteer with business skills and/or experience in retail can support the Bridge of Hope team and artisans by providing fresh ideas for marketing to increase the store´s sales and helping to sensitize the public on the importance of fair trade for improving the lives of the poor.
During this placement you would be assisting with product displays in order to create an appealing shopping environment and to increase sales. You would also help order products to keep the store fully stocked, ring through transactions on the cash register, and conduct inventories. You would assist walk-in customers and provide excellent customer service, while explaining the principles of fair trade and educating them on how their purchase at the store helps to improve the living conditions of families in poverty, as the sales of the products provide a fair and sustainable income to the producers.
The types of items that the store carries are clothing, accessories, children´s toys, home decor, and jewelery. You would be welcome to provide suggestions and ideas for new products or alterations to current products, so that the artisans are able to create the highest-quality products possible that will appeal to tourists in Lima.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS VOLUNTEER POSITION IS FOR A MINIMUM OF 6 MONTHS

Requirements:
You will need some knowledge of fair trade and business practices, experience working in collaboration with a team, and experience working in retail and customer service.

Requirements

Language

English