Mystery Shoppers

Featured Article October '09

 

Ethical Recession – The Green, Green Shoots

 

So the economic recession is over, arguably. So what of ethics in retail, a term so eagerly banded about before the recession began. The true effect of the recession on ethics is still yet to become apparent and there is no comparison; ethical consumerism during previous recessions was insignificant.

However, the early signs of the effect on ethical trading do not seem positive. The Guardian reported in July that British consumers are now turning their back on buying ethical in favour of cheaper shopping bills. This is a trend that some feel is likely to be long term, as three in five shoppers plan to continue cutting back on ethical goods after the downturn.

So what now for ethical consumerism as we come out of recession? Despite the gloomy figures for those with an ethical conscience, it is not all bad. We feel many retailers (and indeed consumers) have and will stay loyal to their values save eroding consumer trust. Recent figures also suggest that the recession perhaps hasn’t hit ethical consumerism as hard as first thought, with 72% of UK consumers considering that the ethical production of clothing is still important. Although caring is not the same as spending, we argue that having ethical values is still as important for retailers now as much as it was before the recession, if only to maintain credibility.

Not only does it provide good business sense but it is important to maintain ethical consumerism, to make sure retailers source and buy products in a responsible way and be sure that those people involved are treated well.  For New Look Chairman Phil Wrigley ethical consumerism will not take a back seat and ‘will become even more of an issue’. 

Ethical consumerism may have taken a pounding during the recession and may take longer than other industries to recover, but ethics is still a major factor in consumerism.

< Back