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Is it important for retailers to be neutral when it comes to politics? Is this something that attracts or repels us from supporting a retailer?
I've only thought about this issue in regard to working conditions and unfair labor laws. I know there is a new-ish trend in the US among younger people who go "thrifting" instead of shopping at retail stores. It's sort of a contest on youtube on who can find the cutest clothes and accessories for the lowest price. It’s also a form of protest. Many people call this "green shopping" because they believe it is not supporting companies that may have shady work practices.
Yet, many times designer labels are found at these thrift shops. So even though they're not purchasing these items at the store in question, they are still purchasing the brand. Now, that's neither here nor there. My point is that the politics of a company seem to be incredibly important to some people and not at all to other people. Or maybe it's the political issue in question.
Target and Home Depot have come under attack recently based on their stances in the gay movement. Target has supported anti-gay politicians in the past and is currently backing gay pride events. Home Depot supports the gay movement and even has stands at gay pride events. Some conservatives find it appalling.
Target and Home Depot have come under attack recently based on their stances in the gay movement. Target has supported anti-gay politicians in the past and is currently backing gay pride events. Home Depot supports the gay movement and even has stands at gay pride events. Some conservatives find it appalling.
These companies have to address these issues because it is alienating a percentage of its customers. I realize that it is not realistic for a company to please everyone, especially where politics are concerned. We don't even agree with close friends or family sometimes on politics. So it makes sense that we might not agree with what a conglomerate decides to do with its money.
Is this important? Or are politics different than, say, human rights? Is it more or less important to give people a livable wage, not to do things that destroy the environment, or exploiting children? In my opinion gay rights, wages, the environment and children's rights are all political issues. So I suppose the issue is what matters?
I, personally, don't like it when I hear about retailers that I support going against things that I believe in. In the same token, I acknowledge that they have the freedom to do whatever they want with their money. Just like I have the choice to buy their products or not.
I also think that some retailers own many other companies (chains) so it makes it almost impossible not to buy their products. Or maybe a family can only afford to shop at Target because other, more "friendly" companies are much more expensive.
I think every human being has the responsibility to do the right thing, including retailers. That's my opinion. Then again, I don't honestly think I will stop shopping at Target or Home Depot or Walmart.
Yet, I stopped buying products at a German owned supermarket, LIDL, recently. They claimed that cucumbers coming from Spain (where I currently live) were contaminated with E.Coli. After further investigation it was found to originate in Germany. So I guess we all do what we can.
I wonder what others' opinions are. It's an interesting issue.
By: Samantha Taylor
Samantha is a Boston, Massachusetts native. Her studies have taken her from Ohio to England, where she lived for two years. Currently, Samantha lives in Andalucía, Spain, with her husband. She is a writer for Nexxt and contributes to one of its many blogs: retailgig
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