A recent consumer survey commissioned by British cosmetics, skincare and perfume company The Body Shop found that beauty consumers areMost interested in purchasing products that are responsibly sourced and sustainably produced by brands that provide ethical working conditionsAccording to the results of the survey data.
To learn more about why B Corp commissioned the study, its key takeaways, and how manufacturers and suppliers of cosmetics and personal care products are working to make ethical decisions as part of their corporate ethos, please contact our Vice President We interviewed Hilary Lloyd. Thank you to The Body Shop North America for their marketing and corporate social responsibility insights.
CDU: Can you give us a brief background about yourself and your relationship with the cosmetics and personal care products industry?
Hilary Lloyd (HL): I lead marketing and corporate social responsibility for The Body Shop across North America.
Since 2018, I have championed radical organizations, ethical beauty, gender equality, 2SLGBTQ+ rights, and racial justice by forming issue-based advocacy efforts, including internal employee policies. I have been leading the effort.
I will always be an advocate for companies and brands whose main goal is to understand their consumers and work hard to meet their needs, while striving to have a positive impact on people and the planet. Masu.
In addition to our active efforts, The Body Shop provides our customers with high-quality products made from ethically sourced, natural, and hard-working ingredients that do not harm the Earth or the people and animals that call it home. I promise you. Over the past two years, we’ve doubled down on these efforts by introducing refillable products in-store, revamping our products to be fully vegan, and strengthening our Community Fairtrade program.
CDU: Why did The Body Shop commission this consumer data study and how does The Body Shop ensure ethical working conditions in its manufacturing and supply chain?
H.L.: This year has been a defining year for responsible business. As workers around the world fight for fairer working conditions, we’re carefully considering whether major brands will walk back or bolden their stances on issues like 2SLGBTQ+ rights and reproductive freedom. I saw it. We are inspired by the people who are fighting to make a difference. We also wanted to know if consumers felt the same way.
That’s why The Body Shop conducted research across North America to assess the extent to which brands’ sustainability, willingness to address key social issues, working conditions, and more are all considered when it comes to holiday shopping. I requested.
At The Body Shop, we ensure ethical working conditions in our manufacturing and supply chain, primarily through our Community Fairtrade program, which sources ethical, high-quality ingredients from producers, farmers, and artisans around the world. We offer better working conditions and equal pay. and other economic opportunities that enable communities to thrive.
Launched in 1987, the program is independently operated and allows us to maintain long-term, genuine relationships with our supplier partners, ensuring that we are able to maintain long-term, genuine relationships with our supplier partners who would otherwise be left behind or exploited by the global economy. It can provide economic opportunities to many people who may be affected. We have worked with many of the same suppliers for decades. This allowed them to donate additional funds to invest in local projects such as education, health care, and sanitation.
CDU: What are the key takeaways from this study?
H.L.: Through our survey data, we discovered some things that were surprising to us.
- Ethically made gifts are important to shoppers. More than half of consumers in the U.S. and Canada say it’s important to them to buy from brands that practice sustainable packaging and sourcing.
- Customers generally expect to spend less this holiday season, which is not surprising given the impact of inflation. However, we were pleasantly surprised to find that the majority of consumers agreed that ethically sourced, affordable gifts can influence their decisions.
- Of all the issues, working conditions for employees were the most concerning. Remarkably, nearly two-thirds of consumers in the United States and Canada say it is important to them to buy from brands that provide ethical working conditions.
As a proud B Corp, we are encouraged by this result.
CDU: Were any of the findings surprising or unexpected? If so, why?
H.L.: It was exciting to see consumer sentiment broadly agreed across North America, with sustainability and ethical practices rising to the top of the priority list. Especially in recent years, companies have had to disclose what they are doing to protect people and the planet, and as a result, customers are paying more attention to brands and holding them to higher standards.
That said, we were surprised to find that holiday shoppers are most concerned about a company’s working conditions above all else. We think this year, with so much worker power and strikes all over the world from Bangladesh to much of the United States, this has changed the conversation.
CDU: How can ingredient manufacturers and suppliers make ethical decisions as part of their corporate philosophy?
H.L.: Our founder Anita Roddick said, “If you don’t listen to farmers in everything you do, you’re doing it wrong.” This is the key. Through our unique community fair trade practices, we put local suppliers in the lead. We leverage their knowledge and wisdom because they know best how to use the region’s natural resources responsibly.
Adopting ethical practices means putting people before profits. Upholding ethical standards regarding worker rights, clean and safe working conditions, fair working hours, equal pay, etc. requires leadership and transparent relationships with suppliers. It’s not easy, but the result is a working relationship that enriches everyone.
CDU: What plans does The Body Shop have to become more ethically responsible in sourcing, manufacturing, and product distribution?
H.L.: As a B Corp, we always strive to go beyond business as usual and undergo rigorous assessments every three years to ensure we are maximizing social and environmental impact through sourcing, manufacturing and distribution. Masu. We are in constant dialogue with our Community Fairtrade suppliers to consider how we can create the strongest working relationships possible for everyone involved in The Body Shop’s supply chain. I am.
