Students Analyze Perceptions of the "Regentropfen" Fair Trade Shop

During the 2025/2026 winter semester, third-semester Wirtschaftspsychologie students explored the Regentropfen World Shop in Offenburg in various courses. A field trip in November provided practical insights into the shop’s unique business model, which is guided by clear ethical standards. In addition, the students conducted a survey of passersby to examine how the fair trade shop is perceived by the residents of Offenburg. The results were analyzed in the ethics seminar and the consumer psychology course and presented to the fair trade shop’s team by Dr. Grégory Bartel and Katharina Beck at the end of January.

The Regentropfen Weltladen is committed to fair trade, sustainability, and social justice, and despite limited resources, it stands out for its welcoming atmosphere, expert advice, and diverse product selection. The survey showed that while the Weltladen is well-known, it is rarely visited on a regular basis. Among other things, respondents called for more advertising, increased social media activity, and sales promotions. High prices were sometimes cited as a barrier, which could be countered by promotions and discounts.

Other suggestions for improvement included expanding digital communication channels, extending opening hours, modernizing the storefront design, and offering products tailored to younger target groups. New formats such as pop-up stores, themed evenings, or collaborations were also suggested.

The project combined ethical questions of sustainable consumption with marketing science methodologies and provided students with valuable insights into responsible business practices. At the same time, the collaboration with the Weltladen strengthened the practical and social relevance of the Wirtschaftspsychologie program at Hochschule Offenburg.