Our Story

Malcolm and Melanie Rands started ecostore in the basement of their home in a permaculture eco-village in New Zealand in 1993. As keen permaculturalists they had been using sustainable and organic gardening practices on their property but realised they were still being exposed to a variety of toxic chemicals through the cleaning and body care products they were using. As a result of being alarmed at the number of nasty chemicals used in everyday household products; ecostore was born.

Mal and Mel got to work sourcing healthier products, with no toxic or unnecessary chemicals, and a commitment that their products would work just as well as mainstream brands. They got expert help to start developing laundry products with a philosophy of ‘safety first’ that continues today – if there’s any doubt about the safety of an ingredient for people’s health as well as the environment, a safer alternative must be found.

Their unique focus on health created a loyal customer following. Customers would write in saying their eczema, dermatitis, asthma and other allergies had improved or disappeared altogether from using ecostore products. As their customer numbers grew, so did the number of carbon miles spent transporting products to and from Auckland, so in 2002, the Rands family moved to Auckland and set up a retail store in Freemans Bay. In 2005 ecostore expanded the range to include household cleaners, body care and baby care. In 2006, ecostore launched into New Zealand supermarkets, followed by Australia in 2008 and in 2009, ecostore launched into the United States.

ecostore products have a wealth of scientific research and innovation behind them. Under the direction of Sir Ray Avery (2010 New Zealander of the Year) our lead formulator and chemist, each product is months in the development and making, ensuring the safest health, environmental and efficacy standards are achieved.
We take pride in being a NZ based manufacturer, wholesale distributor and retailer of sustainable household cleaning, body care and baby care products which are healthier for people and our environment.

Early years
ecostore grew up in an eco village in New Zealand. It was run out of Malcolm (the guy in the cape) and Melanie’s basement. They had one second hand computer and a fax machine which was the most expensive thing they owned and cost more than their car. The business was called Fairground Ethical Traders back then, because they didn’t realise what a mouthful that was to say.

Later on
The business grew much more quickly than they expected so they decided to move with their two daughters, Ahi and Keva, down to Auckland where most of their customers were.

And now
18 years on, ecostore products are distributed in supermarkets and health stores throughout New Zealand and Australia, are exported to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Korea and sold in the US.