Economy Trumps Environment
Marks & Spencer, one of the UK's largest retailers, is set to move away from their environmental initiative, Plan A - Because there is no Plan B. Plan A is a five year plan that M&S has developed to hold themselves and their customers responsible for climate change, waste reduction, building a healthier planet, and ethical trading. They initiated this program in response to the public's demand for businesses to be held accountable for their actions. Over the past year, M&S has spent a considerable amount of pounds developing Plan A. Over the last few months however, while leading economists predict that the UK will be hardest hit by the economic downturn, the retailing giant is focusing more on price reduction than their Plan A initiative. The economy has trumped the environment for now, and it's hard to say whether that's a good or bad thing at the moment.
Here in Canada, Heather Reisman, CEO, Indigo Music & Books Inc., has recently launched Pistachio, a green-conscious shop she hopes to expand nation-wide over the coming months. Reisman has herself admitted this might be a tough endeavour given today's economy. My recent visit to the nut-hued shop proves otherwise. It was busy and bustling with no shortage of money exchanging hands. Not only is the shop Bullfrog-powered, but everything you buy is environmentally friendly. The products, mostly cards, wrapping paper, and other paper-based items are flirty, friendly, and unique. You want to buy them, and I'm not sure it has anything to do with the environment, that aspect is but a massive by-product.
It seems that Pistachio has found a niche market - customers unaffected by these turbulent times. People willing and more importantly able to part with money for a cause. And that statement right there does not sit well with me. Our children's children, whether they be rich or poor will feel the effects of how we've managed and marketed the environment over the next few years. At the moment, it seems to be a trend that only certain people can follow, let's hope this is not the case for much longer.
