Business Details
Handcrafted Global Treasures for Every Home
Alternatives Global Marketplace is a retail company committed to offering ethically-sourced handmade goods from around the world. Founded with a mission to connect cultures through craftsmanship, we work directly with local artisans, independent designers, and skilled seamstresses to curate a collection of timeless, sustainable products. Our expertise spans decades of global trade relationships, ensuring every item meets rigorous quality standards while supporting traditional artisanship and fair labor practices. We prioritize transparency, providing detailed insights into the origins and creators of each product, and emphasize durability over fleeting trends. Our team of professionals brings extensive experience in ethical sourcing, global logistics, and customer service, ensuring a seamless shopping experience.With a focus on wardrobe staples and home decor, we cater to conscious consumers seeking meaningful, long-lasting additions to their lives. Our commitment to trustworthiness is reflected in our easy returns, fast shipping, and 100% satisfaction guarantee. Recognized for our partnerships with international artisan cooperatives, we maintain accountability through rigorous compliance with fair trade principles. As pioneers in sustainable retail, we continuously innovate to reduce environmental impact across our supply chain.
Services
Ethical Clothing
Handmade Home Decor
Artisan Jewelry
Gift Sets
Fair Trade Products
Sustainable Accessories
Online Retail
Wholesale Orders
Gift Cards
Seasonal Collections
Highlights and features
- We offer ethically-sourced handmade goods from 30+ countries
- All products support local artisans and preserve traditional crafts
- Our team hand-selects every item for quality and cultural significance
- We provide transparent sourcing information for every product
- We offer free returns and fast shipping on all orders
What people say
Versatile and pretty
Well made
Lightweight and comfortable
Sustainable way
Perfect size
Services
Ethical Clothing
Our clothing collection features handcrafted garments from independent artisans worldwide. Each piece utilizes traditional techniques like batik printing, hand embroidery, and natural dyeing processes. We partner directly with maker cooperatives to ensure living wages and safe working conditions, focusing on timeless silhouettes that transcend seasonal trends.
Handmade Home Decor
Curated home accents showcase global craftsmanship through textiles, ceramics, and woodwork. Products include teak serving boards, woven placemats, and capiz shell lighting made using heritage methods. Every item preserves cultural traditions while meeting modern functional needs through durable natural materials.
Artisan Jewelry
Jewelry collection features hand-forged metals, seed bead artistry, and organic materials from international makers. Pieces incorporate cultural symbolism and traditional fabrication techniques passed through generations. We maintain strict quality control to ensure both aesthetic beauty and wearability.
Gift Sets
Themed gift collections combine practicality and cultural significance for various occasions. Each set contains ethically-produced items with storytelling about their origins and makers. Options cater to multiple price points and recipient preferences, emphasizing unique, non-mass-market selections.
Fair Trade Products
Our fair trade certified products guarantee equitable wages and community reinvestment. We maintain direct relationships with producer groups to verify working conditions and production methods. This program supports over 500 artisans globally through sustainable income opportunities and skill development.
Questions
Where are your products made?
Our goods originate from 30+ countries, with detailed origin information available for each item. We partner directly with artisan groups in regions like Guatemala, India, and Kenya.
Do you offer international shipping?
Currently we ship within the United States, but maintain a global directory of similar ethical retailers for international customers.
What is your return policy?
We accept returns within 30 days of delivery for new, unused items. Return shipping is free for all domestic orders.
How do you ensure ethical production?
Our team conducts factory audits, maintains direct partnerships, and requires third-party certifications for key suppliers.
Are products eco-friendly?
Over 80% of our items use natural materials and traditional low-impact production methods. We provide environmental impact details in product descriptions.
How can I track my order?
Tracking information becomes available via email once items ship, with real-time updates through our website.
Reviews (4)
Ellen George
Jan 27, 2020
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I love their home decor options and they are very reasonably priced! Every item I have purchased so far has been just as as described and well packaged.
Linda Lombardino
Dec 25, 2016
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Fabulous and unique gifts from fair trade organizations on several continents including South America, Africa and Asia. You must visit while in Gainesville!
Flora MacColl
Nov 14, 2013
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I can't believe no one has taken the time to rate Alternatives, they have been in Gainesville FL for what seems like forever and I never go in there without finding just what I was looking for, even when I didn't know what it was until I walked in!!! The staff are friendly and helpful, I only wish I was a zillionaire so I could buy EVERYTHING. The prices are good too. Now that I live in New Smyrna Beach, I still do my shopping at Alternatives when I visit. Best Wishes for the holidays! Flora MacColl
Laura Smith
Aug 16, 2013
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Alternatives is a really cool store. It has a interesting range of fair trade products ranging from clothes, dishes, and decor to Sweetwater Coffee and chocolates. My favorite thing though is the incense and all natural solid perfumes they carry. They are the only place in town that I have found Japanese incense, which i like for it's some what lighter scent!