Free-range now a mainstream choiceEthical spending has out-stripped retail sales of booze and cigarettes for the first time. What's driving this green spending spree?
Free-range now a mainstream choiceEthical spending has out-stripped retail sales of booze and cigarettes for the first time. What's driving this green spending spree?
The words "ethical" and "consumerism" would once have looked like an unlikely pairing.
The words "ethical" and "consumerism" would once have looked like an unlikely pairing.
Consumers wanted to consume stuff. They wanted to get exactly what they wanted at the best price. Ethical shopping was strictly on the green fringes, where a small band of enthusiasts banged on about animal rights and fair trade.
Consumers wanted to consume stuff. They wanted to get exactly what they wanted at the best price. Ethical shopping was strictly on the green fringes, where a small band of enthusiasts banged on about animal rights and fair trade.
But in the past decade, the concept of shoppers exercising an ethical choice has become part of the mainstream. Supermarket aisles are devoted to organic products, energy companies promise greener power, banks advertise their ethical investment policies.
But in the past decade, the concept of shoppers exercising an ethical choice has become part of the mainstream. Supermarket aisles are devoted to organic products, energy companies promise greener power, banks advertise their ethical investment policies.
Free-range eggs used to be a niche market - now there are supermarkets that sell no other variety. Fair-trade drinks were once marginal - now if you have a coffee in Marks and Spencer, it's the only type they serve.
Free-range eggs used to be a niche market - now there are supermarkets that sell no other variety. Fair-trade drinks were once marginal - now if you have a coffee in Marks and Spencer, it's the only type they serve.
Eco-awareness
Eco-awareness
The annual survey of ethical spending in the UK, compiled by the Co-operative Bank, shows a record level of £29.4bn. This means that green spending has overtaken the £28bn spent on alcohol and cigarettes (excluding pubs).
The annual survey of ethical spending in the UK, compiled by the Co-operative Bank, shows a record level of £29.4bn. This means that green spending has overtaken the £28bn spent on alcohol and cigarettes (excluding pubs).
ETHICAL CONSUMERS 1970s: Body Shop sells cruelty-free products; launch of fair trade organisation Traidcraft1980s: First ethical investment fund1990s: Oxfam launches fair trade coffee CafedirectToday: Tesco's own-brand range includes fair trade fruit; fair trade coffee and jeans common on the High St This increase, 11% on the previous year, has been driven by growth in areas such as organic food, fair trade products, green energy deals and ethical financial products.
ETHICAL CONSUMERS 1970s: Body Shop sells cruelty-free products; launch of fair trade organisation Traidcraft1980s: First ethical investment fund1990s: Oxfam launches fair trade coffee CafedirectToday: Tesco's own-brand range includes fair trade fruit; fair trade coffee and jeans common on the High St This increase, 11% on the previous year, has been driven by growth in areas such as organic food, fair trade products, green energy deals and ethical financial products.
And shoppers are also getting tougher on where they take their custom. In the same survey two years ago, shoppers said they were withholding £2.58bn worth of business from firms with which they disagreed.
And shoppers are also getting tougher on where they take their custom. In the same survey two years ago, shoppers said they were withholding £2.58bn worth of business from firms with which they disagreed.
But what has been pushing this growth in ethical sales?
But what has been pushing this growth in ethical sales?
"It's something of a triumph for consumer power," says Fairtrade Foundation spokeswoman, Barbara Crowther.
"It's something of a triumph for consumer power," says Fairtrade Foundation spokeswoman, Barbara Crowther.
"In the past three or four years, businesses have really woken up to the demand, making a much wider range of goods available."
"In the past three or four years, businesses have really woken up to the demand, making a much wider range of goods available."
Trade, not aid
Trade, not aid
The more that people have ready access to fair trade and organic products, the more likely they are to put them into their shopping baskets, she says.
The more that people have ready access to fair trade and organic products, the more likely they are to put them into their shopping baskets, she says.
Know your onions - and how they're grown"Global communications have given us a window on the world," she says, adding that as people become more concerned about climate change, food production or poverty, they want their shopping to reflect their values.
Know your onions - and how they're grown"Global communications have given us a window on the world," she says, adding that as people become more concerned about climate change, food production or poverty, they want their shopping to reflect their values.
"It's not a charity relationship," she says. "They see they can tackle poverty through trade and not just aid."
"It's not a charity relationship," she says. "They see they can tackle poverty through trade and not just aid."
It's not just food that has gone green. The overlap of fashion and eco-awareness means that you can buy environmentally-friendly clothes in Top Shop, Marks and Spencer and Monsoon. There are fair-trade footballs, toys made with sustainable wood and holidays are sold with built-in carbon off-sets.
It's not just food that has gone green. The overlap of fashion and eco-awareness means that you can buy environmentally-friendly clothes in Top Shop, Marks and Spencer and Monsoon. There are fair-trade footballs, toys made with sustainable wood and holidays are sold with built-in carbon off-sets.
And financial services have a widening range of conscience-driven products. The Co-operative Bank sells itself on its ethical investment policy, and there are various types of green insurance and mortgages and investments.
And financial services have a widening range of conscience-driven products. The Co-operative Bank sells itself on its ethical investment policy, and there are various types of green insurance and mortgages and investments.
But even though there has been a huge expansion in ethical shopping, the Co-op's Craig Shannon says it still represents only about 5% of total spending.
But even though there has been a huge expansion in ethical shopping, the Co-op's Craig Shannon says it still represents only about 5% of total spending.
This will grow further as more products offer a fair trade alternative, says Barbara Crowther. "If people have the option - and it's good value - they'll make the choice."
This will grow further as more products offer a fair trade alternative, says Barbara Crowther. "If people have the option - and it's good value - they'll make the choice."
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
All good news, although consumers need to keep a weather eye on how words like "ethical" and "fairtrade" get used so that they are meaningful. The message about "food miles" and buying local produce is getting through too. Where, though, are these fair trade jeans on the high street? I would love to know!S Weekes, Cardiff
I am glad to see that ethical and environmentally sound produce is now more popular, but I think the old saying about voting with your feet holds true. I think people are more aware of how their actions affect those in countries around the world now. If only those other big companies and the political leaders were also able to see this.Maybe it will not be very long before people will protest with more than their consumer choice.Heather, Wolverhampton
It is just labelling. If anything is labelled 'fair trade' or 'organic', people buy it to make themselves feel better even though they have no idea whether the farmer is getting a penny more or whether the 'organic' product actually is organic. The manufacturers are laughing at them all the way to the bank. Labelling anything with these words guarantees that you can charge several times the price for the same product.Martin, London
I have to admit that I'm not a consciously ethical shopper. More often than not if I buy a 'green' product it's because it's all there is - unbleached cotton baby clothes are often only available in ethical versions. My favourite sweets are only available in a Fair Trade packet. When my supermarket has only organic produce available I buy it. Jennifer, Netherlands
I now do this instead of giving to charity. I would rather make sure that the third world gets a fair price for their produce than give my money to a charity with dubious religious goals who will probably spend half of it on advertising.Franchesca , Belfast
Let's hope we don't lose freedom of choice. Take eggs for example. I can't eat rich (real) free-range eggs because they make me ill. And I wouldn't touch barn eggs with a bargepole, having seen first hand the appalling conditions hens live in in such 'freedom'. I much prefer to think of chickens clean and healthy with balanced diet and clean water in 'battery farms'. It's nice to think that fairtrade stuff is being bought, though - great news there.Miss H, Devon
