Press Release
18 December 2007
Brits shop their way to reducing world poverty
New research by the Department for International Development (DFID) shows
consumers in Great Britain rate purchasing power above occasional charitable giving as the number
one way they can help tackle world poverty.
74% of adults in Great Britain think they can help reduce poverty in the developing world
through their shopping choices, compared to 65% who believe that occasionally
donating to charity is the most effective action they can take.
The new research also highlights a need for consumers to ask more questions
about products on retailers’ shelves. But the research reveals that only 30% of
people would ask a retailer questions about where a product was sourced. Half
(56%) of those who would not ask where a product was from said so because they
believe the shop assistant wouldn’t know the answers to their questions.
Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development at DFID,
comments:
“The rise of ‘positive purchasing’ among UK consumers is exciting. Many people
give regular donations to aid and development charities - which is marvellous -
but research shows more and more people are looking for additional ways they can
make a difference. Buying products from developing countries fits the bill
perfectly – trade is very much the way forward for places like Africa.
"We would like to see more shoppers holding retailers to account for the
responsible sourcing of their products.”
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An increasing number of retailers are now also becoming aware of the growing
demand for ethically sourced products.
Peter Marks, Chief Executive of The Co-operative Group comments:
"It's great to see that in the fifteen years since we began stocking the UK's
first fair-trade products, the idea of ethical purchasing is now firmly
established in the minds of shoppers. We welcome this research and will be
working through 2008 to ensure that shoppers can make informed choices and have
even more opportunity to support producers in the developing world."
Renowned shopper Tamara Beckwith says:
"This Christmas, dinner party hostesses up and down the country would be well
advised to find out where their ingredients have been sourced from.
"These days it’s not good enough for food just to taste fab, guests are asking
‘Is it ethically sourced?’, ‘Who’s benefiting from us eating these chocolates?’…
if you want to hold your own in this season’s hottest dinner party debate, you’d
better do your research – ask the retailers, they ought to know!”
The new DFID research also shows 61% of adults in Great Britain now believe that
they have a personal responsibility to help relieve poverty, and although making
charitable donations is still viewed as important, consumers are now finding
more ways to make a difference.
By using their purchasing power carefully, and selecting products that have been
sourced from developing countries, including Fairtrade products, 64% of Brits
feel that they can help people in poor countries to lift themselves out of
poverty. Over half of adults (57%) now feel that this is an easy way to give
something back, with 63% believing that their purchase will directly benefit the
people who have produced the goods.
Adults in Great Britain cite charities (70%), TV coverage (66%) and live events, such as
Live 8 (60%), as the top three factors that have inspired them to act to relieve
poverty perhaps by highlighting the plight of some of the poorest communities
worldwide, particularly in Africa. Other positive influences include
celebrities, such as Bono and Bob Geldof (48%), and even children (39%), who may
be helping to educate parents about the positive impact they can make through
careful choices on the supermarket aisles.
For more information on how you can help to make a difference visit
 www.dfidonline.org.uk/sfd
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Notes for Editors
- ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 2010 GB adults aged
18+ by telephone between 30 November – 6th December 2007. Interviews were
conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the
profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and
abides by its rules. Further information at
www.icmresearch.co.uk.
- The Department for International Development (DFID) is part of the UK
Government that manages Britain's aid to poor countries and works to get rid
of extreme poverty. DFID is also working to ensure that all developing
countries and poor producers within them, are able to benefit from enhanced
opportunities to trade.
For further information, contact Nicolette Stoddart in the DFID press
office on 0207 023 1792.
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