My inbox and social media feeds are overflowing with ads from Amazon ("Prime Days"), Target ("Deal Days"), and Walmart ("Big Save") this week. Other big commerce companies are also flooding my advertising feeds, in hopes of jump-starting holiday shopping. And they all seem to be offering incredible "deals."
Sometimes, it just seems so much easier and convenient to hop onto their online site and grab one of those deals, especially if the shipping is free! Sadly, I've personally spent far more with Amazon in the last six months than ever before.
The Covid-19 pandemic has forced all of us online in so many ways. But unfortunately, those great "deals" usually come with behind-the-scenes conditions that require you to ignore your values.
The bank accounts of those big commerce companies have grown even more during the pandemic, exacerbating the ever-growing inequality in wealth distribution within the US and the developing world. According to Forbes, as of August 26, Jeff Bezos, Founder and CEO of Amazon, was the richest man in the world, with a net worth estimated at $204.6 billion. (Forbes estimated his fortune at "only" $115 on January 1.) As of September 2, 2020, each of the three key Walton family Wal-Mart owners' net worth had increased over 26% percent since March 18, 2020, which represents an increase of over $26 billion each.
Simultaneously, the big commerce companies' workers are in the hardest hit "essential worker" categories who can't work from home. And they often earn wages that are at the bottom end of the scale. Women make up a large percentage of their workforce. Like women everywhere, these women must often choose between going to work and taking care of their children while schools and childcare are shut down.
The supply chains of these big commerce players are focused on the lowest possible cost. That means that the people producing their products are often working in substandard conditions in overseas factories for pennies a day.
But you don't have to give in to the siren call of big commerce. You can choose ethical shopping instead.
The same forces that have pushed your shopping online have also sent social impact and ethical shopping companies online. You now have more convenient online ethical shopping choices than ever. And these companies are offering great deals on prices and shipping this week and throughout the holiday season.
So when that siren call tempts you, choose ethical instead. You still have plenty of choice, cost savings and convenience.
These are 3 of my favorite ethical shopping gateways that HoonArts participates in:
- Fair Trade Federation
- Buy Good Feel Good (HoonArts will be online very soon)
- ArtizanMade
And if you'd like to set up a school fundraiser based on Fair Trade products, check out Fair Trade Caravans.
And if you want to learn more about some of the many social impact community organizations that are working to level the playing field and build a more socially-conscious business eco-system, check out these two websites:
Each of them is an excellent gateway to exploring the world of socially conscious business in more detail.
We've also put together our own FREE, downloadable cheat sheet at HoonArts to make your ethical shopping easier, wherever you shop.
To download our cheat sheet, just click here.
And, just to sweeten the pot, HoonArts is offering 30% off all online purchases (including clearance items) from our website on Tuesday, October 13, and Wednesday, October 14. We also have free shipping for any US order over $50. Use this discount code at checkout: GoEthical. Or just click here, and the discount will be applied automatically at checkout.
Convenience and cost don't have to keep you from shopping in line with your values.
GO ETHICAL THIS WEEK AND THIS SEASON. And don't forget, October is Fair Trade Month and Women's Small Business Month, so help us celebrate!
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