The Politicization of Shopping

By George Anderson
A large number of consumers of various political, religious and philosophical persuasions are choosing merchants and products based on their perceptions about the companies’ stand on various issues.
According to an article on the BusinessWeek web site, the growing activism of consumers has made it critically important for businesses to have people and systems in place to deal with the next crisis issue.
Corporate communications strategist Arthur C. “Bud” Liebler says dealing with consumer activism is unavoidable. “There used to be a tendency by companies to ignore all [the attacks] and hope they’ll go away. Now you can’t ignore them because of all the Web sites, talk radio, and alternative newspapers.”
He cautions companies against believing they can come up with a response that will satisfy everyone. The goal when companies get into controversies, he said, should be “to do the least damage.”
Because of the impact that state and federal legislation can have on business operations, a growing number of companies are getting involved by financially contributing to political campaigns and political action committees (PAC).
Wendy’s, for example, has donated 93 percent of the chain’s political action committee’s contributions to Republicans over the last five years.
Company spokesperson Denny Lynch said that despite this it would be wrong to read an overt political agenda into Wendy’s actions. “We serve customers on both sides of the aisle,” he said. “We’re not a red company. If Democrats start winning, we’ll move our money to Democrats. It’s just business.”
Other companies, such as Costco, believe business should stay as far away from politics as possible.
Unlike others, Costco has not created its own PAC. Costco CEO Jim Sinegal said, “We don’t believe a public company should take shareholders’ money and support political candidates or causes.”
That doesn’t mean Mr. Sinegal is not politically active. He and Chairman Jeffrey Brotman are known as heavy contributors to the Democratic party. “We do it with our own money,” he said. “I’m a merchant, not a politician.”
Moderator’s Comment: Do you agree that the shopping environment has become more politicized in recent years? What
are the steps retailers and others need to take in dealing with crisis issues such as negative press, boycott activity, etc.? –
George Anderson – Moderator
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16 Comments on "The Politicization of Shopping"
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No, I don’t believe that the shopping environment has become more politicized in recent years. I do believe the media blasts a message that this is so.
Since the 60’s, there have been consumers that shop with their political conscience and more than likely before then! I do not believe it is more so or less so today. I do believe that we tend to forget that the majority of Americans are just trying to get through their day. They have jobs, families, lots of demands and, even in Washington, DC where we are obsessed with politics, most of us do not spend a meaningful amount of time ferreting out which company supports whom.
I believe companies should concentrate on their product, prices and on service. I think Costco has it right.
In America, people vote at the cash register. And it’s not a new trend. Generations ago, there were Jews who wouldn’t buy Fords because of Henry Ford’s antisemitism. Later, there were people who wouldn’t buy VWs because they could not forgive Germany. Today, GM uses Chevy as the “buy American” brand. Although the article states that “…a growing number” of businesses are using campaign funds, I doubt that is provable. Big business owners have used campaign contributions (and other financial incentives given to politicians) for the entire history of government, American, pre-American, and worldwide.
A very small group of consumers have voted with their dollars based on their view of selected businesses. Groups like the Rainbow Coalition have tried to elevate the use of consumer dollars to influence business, but achieved only limited results. Not so long ago, the issue was local versus national retailer. Recently, there has been a significant growth is businesses linked to a religion or church. Their target market is very narrow, but advertising is extremely effective and efficient. The retailer position should be as neutral with a stated goal of serving consumers.
I agree with Karen’s comments. Companies that openly take a political stand or support a political cause shouldn’t be surprised when some people don’t like the stand they’ve taken. It may increase the loyalty of consumers who agree with them, but it also has the effect of making those who disagree feel excluded. If you want to appeal to the masses, you stay neutral.
The amount of political activism is not necessarily increasing; however, the amount of people involved has changed with the use of the internet. Connecting small groups of people who live in different locations is much easier because of the internet. They can act as a group even while geographically distant. Messages can reach people who have a similar view and encourage action or reaction to specific events more quickly today. These are no longer small, isolated groups of people, but a large group of people living in different places. The nature of political activism has changed.
Before we get all caught up with how much things have become politicized, we need to remember we’ve been doing this for years based on our socio-economic standing. Why do some people prefer shopping at Aldi and others prefer shopping at Publix or still others at Winn-Dixie? Why do some people only buy American made cars and others would never think of buying anything other than a foreign made car? This trend is nothing new; we’re just seeing it move in a more accented manner.
The defensive responses seem to miss the opportunity presented by consumers willing to be influenced by the good deeds associated with companies or products. Instead of supporting partisan or divisive issues, identify and embrace one or more of the thousands of causes that are accepted by almost every rational consumer. Retailers and consumer goods suppliers have sufficient research tools to identify an additional demographic, “important causes or issues.” It should not be difficult to stay on a positive path and avoid consumer backlash or boycotts.
Jim Sinegal has it totally right. I don’t think there are proportionately more [activists] today than before, but it is easier for them to organize and have a platform. They make easy and colorful copy for the increasingly budget-conscious, entertainment-driven and shallow media of today.
Obviously, no company is going to please everyone. I read where, in Madison, Wisconsin, politically correct Whole Foods is getting a hard time for wanting to build too big and there are worries about how they will hurt the other competitors. Recently, I read where those who dislike Wal-Mart actually spend more money in their stores than those who support Wal-Mart. The dollars do all the real talking.
Business has played both sides of every interest since time in memoriam – it’s good business. As Wendy’s says, they would move their money to winners … you bet they would. Neutrality in politics is tough but if you’re a public company, that had better be the only option because, as was stated, the internet has created a stronger influence and you can’t take sides with the number of investors we now have. I don’t think Costco’s leaders understand. In this day and age of information, what you do privately does indeed matter. On the other hand, private business concerns may take the risk if they see a niche audience base that would loyally follow due to the political bent.
Taking a public stand for or against any particular issue or cause should have no connection to putting corporate or investors’ money into a political party. Taking and defending stands is what public relations and corporate social responsibility are for. Saying that making donations to a particular party is necessary as a means of influencing local, state or federal legislation is just an excuse. I don’t think executives or boards of directors have any right to spend shareholders’ money on politics. That is not what they are there for. Frankly, I think Jim Sinegal should run for president with Scanner as Veep (even though their political opinions are miles apart). Their principles need to be put into practice.
I have heard but not seen demonstrative proof of the politicization of shopping. If it exists, it must be an aspect of affluence, of economic good times. Once the economy shows signs of a downturn, people will shop with a sharp focus on price. Ideology will become a luxury. It’s a variation of Maslow’s Pyramid.