World Shop Bressanone

Question 1

The beginnings

Answer

The principle of fair trade has been operating successfully at the world shop in Brixen's Brunogasse since 1980, the year the shop opened. A few years earlier, development workers from South Tyrol had returned from their assignments in what was then called the "Third World." Upon returning home, their experiences in "developing countries" led them to seek new ways of providing project assistance. The previous missionary donor-helper mentality was to be replaced by a more dignified approach of helping people to help themselves.

Question 2

Italy's first world shop

Answer

It is thanks to ten individuals—Christine Baumgartner, Paul Brunner, Josef Eder, Rudi Kiebacher, Elisabeth Lantschner, Reinhold Pitschl, Paul Ploner, Agnes Rainer, Elisabeth Stockner, and Josef Unterholzner—that the world shop became a reality. After two years of preparation, Italy's first "Third World Shop" opened in Brixen on August 1, 1980. Bishop Gargitter provided the premises in Brunogasse free of charge for this purpose. Since then, more than three hundred shops across Italy have followed the example set by Brixen.

Question 3

The shop grows

Answer

The world shop has been able to expand steadily only through the continuous cooperation and activity of the association's many volunteers and customers for over four decades. The product range has constantly increased. Nevertheless, the shop's coffers are not filled by large profits; the profit margin on products is minimal. Because the shop does not have to pay rent and the staff volunteer their time for free, Italy's oldest world shop records a modest profit.

Question 4

From association to cooperative

Answer

Until 2006, the world shop in Brixen was managed by the association "Dritte-Welt-Laden Brixen." In December 2006, the members of the association founded a cooperative, and since January 2007, the world shop has been managed by a non-profit cooperative known as the Weltladen Brixen Social Cooperative. The Board of Directors meets regularly to discuss business activities, pass resolutions, organize sales promotions and staff meetings, plan educational offers and awareness campaigns, and much more.

Question 5

The world shop is moving

Answer

In February 2011, the world shop moved from Brunogasse 10 to Stadelgasse 5/C into premises rented from the South Tyrol Provincial Housing Institute. The relocation became necessary because the building in Brunogasse had to make way for the construction of the new city library. In partnership with our supplier Altromercato—the main supplier of fair trade products in Italy—a spacious retail area was established. In August 2022, the shop was renovated to present the wide and constantly renewing range of fair trade food, handicrafts, and fair fashion in a contemporary, appealing, and customer-friendly manner.

Question 6

Staff

Answer

Until August 2007, for over a quarter of a century, the world shop in Brixen was managed exclusively by volunteers. In total, over 100 women and men have dedicated their free time to the world shop, and some of them are still involved with great zeal and commitment. As the volume of work and turnover steadily increased, it was decided to hire a part-time employee for both the morning and afternoon shifts. Now, the approximately 30 volunteers are supported by two part-time staff members in various areas of work.

World Shop Bressanone

In our world shop, you will find a wide selection of food, handicrafts, and clothing. We work with the following partners:

Opening Hours

A look back

The beginnings

Italy's first world shop

Development

The shop grows

From association to cooperative

New location

The world shop is moving

Staff

Contact