30 Nov 2007


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Ethical shopping doubles as food and drink leads way

Green-retail

ethics

sustainability

Household spending on ethical goods and services has almost doubled in the past five years, and ethical food and drink is leading the way, according to the Co-operative Bank.

Its Ethical Consumerism Report, published today (30 November 2007), shows that last year, on average, every household in the UK spent £664 in line with their ethical values compared with just £366 in 2002, an increase of 81%.

But while the overall ethical market in the UK is now worth £32.3bn a year, up 9% from £29.7bn in the previous 12 months, it is still a small proportion of the total annual consumer spend of more than £600bn, the bank says.

The annual household expenditure includes £190 on ethical food and drink, such as fair trade and organic.

Fairtrade sales grew by 46%, driven in part by increased consumer awareness of the Fairtrade Mark, which is now recognised by almost three in five, and greater availability of Fairtrade products.

Overall, ethical food and drink registered the biggest sector increase of 17%, up from £4.1bn to £4.8bn.

The market for sustainable fish increased a massive 224% following the introduction of new lines by some of the leading brands.

Sales of Fairtrade goods, such as tea, coffee and bananas, increased by £90m to £285m (up by 46%).

Households spent £213 on home products, including energy efficient light bulbs and “A” rated kitchen appliances.

A significant number of consumers claimed to avoid budget clothing outlets on the basis that low cost is taken as a likely indicator of poor supplier labour conditions. Sales of ethical clothing increased by 79%.

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