With the big Xmas shop nearly upon us, I thought it apt to post this report from Ethical Consumer. In case you are wondering where to go, this report may sway you. And with credit crunched shoppers turning to the hard discounters (Aldi, Lidl and Netto) what’s the true cost of bargain shopping?
Ethical Consumer has released a new report on the social and environmental records of 19 supermarket and convenience store chains.
The report contains a detailed breakdown of the chains’ environmental reporting – the best rating goes to Co-op, M&S, and, consumers’ will be surprised to learn, Budgens and Londis (both owned by the Musgrove Group).
Progressive policies on product sourcing are reviewed - from animal welfare to timber sourcing – with Waitrose, M&S, Sainsbury and the Co-op clear leaders.
Consumers’ concerned with animal testing policy will be surprised to learn Aldi shares the top spot with M&S and Co-op. Both Co-op and M&S are signed up to BUAV’s humane cosmetic standard - while all Aldi’s (own brand) household products meet campaigners’ demand for a “fixed cut off date” after which ingredients have not been tested on animals (1992).
Much attention has recently gone to the 6.1% market share growth of the hard discounters.
Report author Bryony Moore comments, “Commentators have been surprised to discover the occaisional organic or Fairtrade product on the discounters’ shelves and have mistaken this for evidence of ethical behavior. However our research reveals a continued contempt for values beyond profit in the failure of the hard discounters to even discuss ethical values. In large international companies this type of behavior is no longer excusable.” Netto, Aldi and Lidl all received Ethical consumer’s worst rating for environmental reporting and workers’ rights in the supply chain.
Overall Best Buys
Super stores: M&S (8), Co-op (7), Waitrose (5)
Convenience stores: Co-op (7), Londis (6), Budgens (6)
Best of the regional chains is Booths in the north west (6.5)
Ethical Consumer has released a new report on the social and environmental records of 19 supermarket and convenience store chains.
The report contains a detailed breakdown of the chains’ environmental reporting – the best rating goes to Co-op, M&S, and, consumers’ will be surprised to learn, Budgens and Londis (both owned by the Musgrove Group).
Progressive policies on product sourcing are reviewed - from animal welfare to timber sourcing – with Waitrose, M&S, Sainsbury and the Co-op clear leaders.
Consumers’ concerned with animal testing policy will be surprised to learn Aldi shares the top spot with M&S and Co-op. Both Co-op and M&S are signed up to BUAV’s humane cosmetic standard - while all Aldi’s (own brand) household products meet campaigners’ demand for a “fixed cut off date” after which ingredients have not been tested on animals (1992).
Much attention has recently gone to the 6.1% market share growth of the hard discounters.
Report author Bryony Moore comments, “Commentators have been surprised to discover the occaisional organic or Fairtrade product on the discounters’ shelves and have mistaken this for evidence of ethical behavior. However our research reveals a continued contempt for values beyond profit in the failure of the hard discounters to even discuss ethical values. In large international companies this type of behavior is no longer excusable.” Netto, Aldi and Lidl all received Ethical consumer’s worst rating for environmental reporting and workers’ rights in the supply chain.
Overall Best Buys
Super stores: M&S (8), Co-op (7), Waitrose (5)
Convenience stores: Co-op (7), Londis (6), Budgens (6)
Best of the regional chains is Booths in the north west (6.5)
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