SAN ANTONIO – Ten Thousand Villages, a fair-trade retail store, announced it would close 13 company-owned stores, including San Antonio’s sole location at Pearl, by March 31.
The company announced the closures as part of a focus shift to e-commerce growth and wholesale partnerships, according to a news release.
“This strategic move supports the organization’s mission of collaborating with artisans in underserved communities while adapting the organization to grow digital distribution sales channels and support its network of licensed stores,” the release said.”
The company said its growing online store and wholesale network would “enable the organization to expand its reach and continue supporting artisans globally.”
Ten Thousand Villages CEO Dan Alonso said, despite the difficulties of letting go of staff, the move would position the company to “thrive …