The model
Mission
Return to Sender aims to become a leading and profitable brand that provides a market for producers from the poorest regions of the world. It invests the profits in sustainable development in those same regions. By doing so, Return to Sender hopes to inspire consumers and organisations to do good in their own ways.
Trade
Return to Sender believes in the power of beautiful products, made by people. This is why Return to Sender is sourcing the world, all year round, to find products with their own, beautiful stories. Return to Sender purchases all these products from local producers at the conditions of Fair Entrepreneurship. Return to Sender supports the producers and generates an economic stimulus by then selling the products on the Dutch market. In this way Return to Sender wishes to help producers and their families build a better future.
HEMA
From the very start, Return to Sender's partnership with HEMA has played an important part in its success. HEMA purchases and markets the various products, even in small series. What started as a simple collection in 2006 has now grown into a constant flow of products, available in 355 HEMA shops all year round. HEMA has consistently shared its knowledge of product development, design and fashion trends with the Return to Sender producers.
Return money
Return to Sender invests the profits in two types of projects:
Producer support: The aim of these projects is to help strengthen the market position of Return to Sender producers. Examples include improving market access and as such the sales of producer organisations, strengthening the organisation and meet international standards, improving production quality and capacity or boosting product development.
Educational projects: The aim of these projects is to improve people's chances of earning an independent income, through professional training courses, for instance, or education for disadvantaged children.
