Customers flocked to The Social Store yesterday - a 2,000 sq ft store at Suntec City mall selling artisan-made products such as ivory statues.

The store, an initiative of the Global Social Enterprise, offers over 5,000 unique craftworks by more than 250 artisans from India, Thailand, Nepal, Pakistan and South Africa. It also plans to offer educational programmes.

Founder of the Global Social Enterprise and The Social Store, Mr H.P. Singh, said: "We build a sustainable business for artisans, many of whom are living in rural communities from around the world, by buying their merchandise and making it accessible to the global market through The Social Store."