Winter 2014

Going Global By Megy Karydes

Global Community

Kiez
Keith Emmons & Robert Ungemach, Co-owners
Dallas, TX

Kiez started from a spark of an idea to work for ourselves and leave the corporate world behind us,” say Keith Emmons and Robert Ungemach, co-owners of the Dallas-based store in The Bishop Arts district. Kiez is a German word that best translates to “a sense of community” and a community is what they are working at building.

Kiez doesn’t exclusively carry fair trade but fair trade is an important part of the product mix. “[In addition to fair trade], we also offer ‘Made in America’ items and, at times, Made Local. We look for small designer handmade items, too. We have developed our criteria for qualifying a product line. Fair Trade, U.S. small business, woman-owned, minority-owned and green businesses, all have a place in our store.”

Emmons and Ungemach understand some people will respond to their offerings more than others. “We live in an age where we are constantly plugged in and know almost instantly what is happening in other parts of the world,” they say. “This has a tendency to create a sense of cynicism in some about the world. We realize that we cannot reach everyone. We accept that and move on.”

For those who want to make a direct impact with their purchasing power, they make it easy by stocking items with meaning, including fair trade products. “’Aid Through Trade’ is a motto that provides a sustainable income for the artist and an opportunity for the purchaser to have or give something of meaning,” the duo explains when asked why it’s important for them to stock fair trade in their store. “When we tell the stories behind the item the customer is looking at purchasing, it becomes a reminder that, in some way, they helped another person today. Often that story moves forward when given as a gift. The story adds to the value of the item, makes it more personal.”

Emmons and Ungemach attribute their shop’s survival to their fair trade offerings and don’t hesitate to recommend retailers add them to their merchandising mix. When considering what items to include, they offer the following advice:

• Become educated about your products; be able to tell the story.
• Try displaying Fair Trade items with non-Fair Trade items so the customer can see how it can be easily incorporated into their daily lives.
• Follow your vendor’s newsletters and blog postings so you know immediately when a success story happens.
• Find your passion and make it part of your mission statement. We believe in the impact our work with fair trade has on the world. We know this from the feedback we receive from our vendors.

Megy Karydes

Megy Karydes is a professional writer and president of marketing/public relations consulting firm Karydes Consulting. She specializes in the gift and home industry. You can reach her by visiting www.karydesconsulting.com.