Has ‘consumer’ become a bad word?
Photo: @annewusti via Twenty20

Has ‘consumer’ become a bad word?

The term “consumer” is reportedly facing some backlash as over-consumption takes the blame for many environmental issues.

Writing for Quartz, Cassie Werber noted that “consumer” is used interchangeably for “person” in business publications, research and journalism.

“The argument for its ubiquity is fair: All humans consume, even if our consumption is limited to food, water, and the other things necessary for survival. Many of us consume a lot. But there’s a small, growing group that’s beginning to reject the term, together with what it’s come to mean about our society, and the kinds of economies we aspire to. Fundamentally, they say, we shouldn’t view people through the lens of what they acquire, devour, or use up.”

Retailers often use “consumers” or “shoppers” to speak broadly in business terms while referring to their own patrons as “customers” or “guests.”

Questions about the usage of “consumer” have been heard before.

As noted by The Guardian, the late Welsh socialist writer Raymond Williams wrote in 1962 that while it’s natural to refer to consumers to measure production’s link to economic activity, as the word’s use grows, “it becomes increasingly obvious that society is not controlling its economic life, but is in part being controlled by it.”

Lately, qualms over its use reflect environmental concerns. Brand messaging detailing the effect of consumerism and encouraging more conscious and responsible buying habits have become more common since Patagonia’s “Don’t Buy This Jacket” ad arrived in 2011.

GlobeScan’s third annual “Healthy & Sustainable Living” study found 73 percent of consumers globally agreeing consumption needs to be reduced to preserve the environment for future generations, with 52 percent feeling guilty about their own negative impact.

Academics are also reportedly more uncomfortable with how “consumer” translates.

“Oddly, some members of our community cringe or sneer at the word consumer,” the editors of the Journal of Consumer Research wrote in a January editorial.

The editors stressed that insights into people’s choices when they are “acting as ‘consumers’” provides a better understanding into the negatives and positives of consumption. The authors wrote, “We see pressing problems in the world that have their root in consumption practices.”

BrainTrust

"There are bigger fish to fry than semantics."

Katie Thomas

Lead, Kearney Consumer Institute


"So now we’re going to try to cancel 'consumption?'"

Jeff Sward

Founding Partner, Merchandising Metrics


"Language should evolve in order to clarify the nature and experience of life in the world; not devolve to the point where it is impossible to communicate."

Ryan Mathews

Founder, CEO, Black Monk Consulting


Discussion Questions

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Should brands and retailers stop using the word “consumer” or be more careful about how it is used? Does the word run counter to sustainability messaging and goals? Is a feasible replacement available?

Poll

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Gene Detroyer
Noble Member
2 years ago

Really? Maybe it is my age, but this borders on ridiculous.

If you want sustainability and goals, then the CONSUMERS should CONSUME less. Changing words does not help the communication in any way. In fact, it may confuse it.

Paula Rosenblum
Noble Member
Reply to  Gene Detroyer
2 years ago

Well, I was just about to write a post starting with the exact same words. Literally.

Given that 67 percent of our GDP is consumer-driven, it makes the sensitivity to the word even sillier. It’s not your age. This whole PC thing is really getting out of hand. You can have conscious consumption. Just like you could (if you wanted) have conscious capitalism. Focusing on the precise word is a waste of time.

Bob Amster
Trusted Member
Reply to  Gene Detroyer
2 years ago

…and Bob Amster makes three! Same thought, same concern. In the words of Arte Johnson: “Very interesting, but stupid.”

Ryan Mathews
Trusted Member
Reply to  Gene Detroyer
2 years ago

Gene,

It isn’t your age. It is, in fact, ridiculous.

Of course we could just use “people.” Oh — but wait — people cause 100 percent of all wars, most of the environmental damage, spread God knows how many diseases, are generally tribal, and have myriad other fatal flaws. So no — we have to stop talking about people altogether. Absurd!

Language should evolve in order to clarify the nature and experience of life in the world; not devolve to the point where it is impossible to communicate.

Dion Kenney
2 years ago

“Consumer” will always be a beautiful word in my lexicon.

Georganne Bender
Noble Member
2 years ago

Come on! A consumer by any other name is still a consumer.

Neil Saunders
Famed Member
2 years ago

To be blunt, this is pointless nonsense – most of which is totally illogical. People who consume things are consumers. Wringing our hands over the use of the term does not change that simple fact. And, regardless of views or stances on the environment, all of us have to consume to some degree. If we didn’t, we would die because we can’t live without food, water and other essentials. Moreover, there are many different types of consumer. Some are more sustainable, some more frugal, others are wasteful. The broad term doesn’t diminish those nuances. And the type of society we have reflects the sum total of the values of all consumers. The consumer, or people, are in full control and, in a free society, always will be.

Dick Seesel
Trusted Member
2 years ago

I see “consumer” as a neutral term without the negative implications of the Quartz article. The term “user” as a replacement is just an exercise in semantics. Given that most retailers refer to “shoppers,” ” customers” or “guests,” this seems like a pointless argument since the term is used mostly to track broad patterns of — dare I say it? — consumption.

Gene Detroyer
Noble Member
Reply to  Dick Seesel
2 years ago

The retailers who refer to their customers as guests maybe is the ultimate in word nonsense.

Paula Rosenblum
Noble Member
Reply to  Dick Seesel
2 years ago

User is the worst!

Rich Kizer
Member
2 years ago

Consumer is more of a term used in business conversations, measuring numbers of, actions of, and how they consume today and how they will consume tomorrow. In this context, I think the term consumer is fine. In today’s world, friendly terms like guests are probably more appropriate. Honestly, I have never been scolded for using the term consumer. After all, we all consume. Right?

Katie Thomas
2 years ago

“User” is way worse than consumer.

One of the most frustrating things working with brands and retailers is the tendency to separate themselves from consumers and talk about consumers in these really negative ways.

On the flip side, we’re asking a lot of consumers right now – to be understanding of labor shortages, supply chain issues, etc.

There are bigger fish to fry than semantics.

David Naumann
Active Member
Reply to  Katie Thomas
2 years ago

I agree, we have bigger fish to fry than to look through a negative lens to focus on the consumers that over-consume. Most consumer purchases are based on needs, while some might be excessive, we shouldn’t assume the word is bad. There is a conscious consumer social movement that is based around increased awareness of the impact of purchasing decisions on the environment and the consumer’s health and life in general. This is one of the reasons we are seeing growth in used or rental-based stores.

Jeff Sward
Noble Member
2 years ago

So now we’re going to try to cancel “consumption?” Instead, how about we talk about the what, how, how much, when and where of consumption? Informed consumption. Smart consumption instead of more consumption. “More” has driven our economy for a long time. We don’t have to keep up with or have more than the neighbors, but that’s what we have been messaged for many decades. That is now officially *so* last century.

Brian Cluster
Member
2 years ago

No. “Consumer” is an accurate word. We all consume food, clothing, and other material and that is not going to change. Changing the word will not help in sustainability matters and frankly, companies should be more worried about reaching sustainability goals than changing words here and there.

The opportunity, of course, is to use data to improve retailers’ and brands’ efforts in sustainability. Gaining a deeper and measurable understanding of each supplier and location and how that may contribute or detract from sustainability goals.

On the consumer side, there are opportunities to use sustainability data to show how different shopping activities contribute to pollution, wasted product. Educating consumers on the impact of one-day delivery vs. two-day delivery, the impact of returns, and highlighting the various sustainability programs available to them may be a better use of energy. If retailers can find a way to collaborate with consumers to achieve a better world together, it can be a win-win. No word change is necessary!

Brian Delp
Member
2 years ago

Cancel culture strikes again!

Casey Golden
Member
2 years ago

We use the word “client” because it changes the dynamic of our relationship with the end-user and drives more thoughtful engagement initiatives. Not all “traffic” or customers are clients yet, the framework forces us to look at client development by the way we treat people, build brand experiences, and the way we continually earn their business. We’re all consumers no matter the volume we consume, but when we’re running a business to serve people a more personal perspective can provide an intentional path forward.

Dr. Stephen Needel
Active Member
2 years ago

For researchers, consumers are shoppers who select products. How much simpler can you get?

Ananda Chakravarty
Active Member
2 years ago

Consumers consume the services that retailers (et. al.) provide. It’s not just material goods. No reason to ponder on this one.

Shep Hyken
Active Member
2 years ago

Really? Are people actually thinking that the word consumer can be offensive? Uh, oh! I just used the word “people.” I wonder if anyone will feel that word is offensive?!

As I write my weekly articles about customer service and customer experience, I often use the words consumer and customer. That said, the B2B world probably doesn’t use the word consumer as often, in that many people don’t “consume” their products, but instead “use” their products, which could include software, equipment, services, etc.

So where does this lead us? What words are offensive? I hardly think the word consumer is one of them.

Patricia Vekich Waldron
Active Member
2 years ago

We’re all humans! These semantic wars are creating unnecessary tension in society and diverting our energy away from pressing issues like war, hunger, and environmental concerns.

Mel Kleiman
Member
2 years ago

It is not a problem of being a consumer. The problem is over-consumption. Every item up for sale needs to have a sign next to it that asks one question: do you really need this item?
How many retailers are willing to put that sign on the shelf?

RandyDandy
RandyDandy
2 years ago

I’ve always been pretty bad at English. Meaning, I don’t always use it properly. But I think that what is happening to the word “consumer” is, essentially, what has happened to a great number of terms that once broadly stood for something. However, that sole meaning, nowadays, seems ill-suited to the different sub-categories we suddenly have found within—and here come the adjectives/qualifiers?!

So, yes, lumping us all in as consumers may be correct, and because all of us are to some degree. However lately, it is to what degree that some on one far end of the spectrum despair at being connected too closely with those on the exact other.

It has become no different than realizing one, as example, can’t be just Democrat or Republican. You have to define to what length you are one. Is yours a moderate, extreme or a waning allegiance with either party?

Still, when the time comes (say, during a really important election) you pick one firm side. Which is where this is going with the word “consumer.” At the end of the day we must admit being one. However, before that sundown moment, we must be sure to let others know if we consume consciously, with some degree of awareness, or with total abandon (and damn all others who don’t do it our way).

Meanwhile, this admitted consumer will continue to consume as thoughtfully as I can, and when I can (and should), and will at least try to spend less time mindlessly consuming.

Brad Halverson
Active Member
2 years ago

For years “consumer” has been a neutral, even scientific term in circles to describe the greater potential audience for a product or service. They evaluate, exchange money and complete the transaction. Pretty straight forward, most everyone uses it.

If the idea is to highlight overconsumption and sustainability, then go champion these with zeal. But best leave alone core terms which have worked well for decades in the free marketplace to avoid confusion.

John Karolefski
Member
2 years ago

This notion is just another candidate for the Ridiculous Hall of Fame.