Some fair points Mike, although i'm not sure a customers power to 'shop elsewhere' is the same as customers assuming the right to have business decisions explained and justified to them. The examples you give, whilst being valid points, are mainly considerations around the ethics of a business, I don't think that any of us would describe the decisions that ExmouthMart says he feels he should have the right to have justified to him and all fans/customers, could be described as ethical considerations.You're wrong about one thing, Bill. Companies are scrutinized by their shareholders and their stakeholders. For example, many companies have been forced to change their modus operandi due to consumer pressure. People can vote with their feet or their wallet too if they're not happy. Like it or not, there have been many campaigns such as questioning the origin of goods, environmental concerns et al which have obligated companies to change. So the man /woman in the street as a collective have a lot of influence.
Ironic (or intended?) that a company called 'Boston Tea Party' is your example.Some fair points Mike, although i'm not sure a customers power to 'shop elsewhere' is the same as customers assuming the right to have business decisions explained and justified to them. The examples you give, whilst being valid points, are mainly considerations around the ethics of a business, I don't think that any of us would describe the decisions that ExmouthMart says he feels he should have the right to have justified to him and all fans/customers, could be described as ethical considerations.
To explain if went into for example Boston Tea Party, I might want to know if their coffee is fair trade or their take away cups are recyclable or their staff are employed on good terms, those things will be a consideration when deciding whether to give them my custom. But I would never expect them to explain to me how much their light fittings cost and how much that impacts on how much I pay for a cup of coffee, nor would I feel I had a right to that information.
Haha, I wish I could claim it was intended Mike, but in reality it was the only place I could think ofIronic (or intended?) that a company called 'Boston Tea Party' is your example.
The original set off the American Revolution which although ostensibly leading to citizens rights via a new Constitution also helped birth, in time, a super corporate America.
Despite the name, what's not to like about a small regional independent chain with a great offering. Their Queen St branch will continue to get my custom and I shun the likes of the "Corporates" such as your Costas and Starbucks !Haha, I wish I could claim it was intended Mike, but in reality it was the only place I could think of
I didn't know it was a small local chain, they seem to be everywhere around this area so i'd assumed they were a big national chain. I feel better about going in there now!Despite the name, what's not to like about a small regional independent chain with a great offering. Their Queen St branch will continue to get my custom and I shun the likes of the "Corporates" such as your Costas and Starbucks !
As an aside and maybe not the right place....... do we support and provide local food and drink at City?! Say what you like about Dale Vince at Forest Green his ethos runs through everything.I didn't know it was a small local chain, they seem to be everywhere around this area so i'd assumed they were a big national chain. I feel better about going in there now!
Yes Mart it does consciously support and follow this ethos since becoming Trust owned . Fair trade products in our food outlets, and the Kenniford Farm "chuck wagon" in Red Square on match days are just a couple of examples.As an aside and maybe not the right place....... do we support and provide local food and drink at City?! Say what you like about Dale Vince at Forest Green his ethos runs through everything.