CAUSE-RELATED COMPANIES NOT RESONATING

Lacklustre Sales Disappointing and Surprising

When asked if eco-friendly products and/or items from women-owned companies were trending in their stores, most Giftbeaters responded – sadly – in the negative. While some store owners are thriving off informing consumers of the auserelated products they stock, the majority of store owners and/or their consumers are either unaware or unaffected by the knowledge that a product is produced by a

business run by females, nor are they motivated to purchase an item because it’s good for the environment.

“Some customers light up when we tell them about our sustainable goods,” says an Ohio store owner. “But I don’t think it’s a focus for most of my customers.”

She adds that while she buys from a lot of women-owned companies, “That’s not why my customers buy these items.”

A store owner from Illinois says, “We have never been a super ecofriendly area, so eco doesn’t seem to be a selling point for most things. Items have to be good on their own to make the sale.”

A store owner from Wisconsin says, “I think these items make for good promotion, especially from a social media aspect, but I’m unsure whether it urges more shoppers though.”

“We have tried to promote women-owned companies,” says a Massachusetts store owner, “but most customers aren’t motivated by that. If you mention it to them, they will say, ‘Oh, that’s nice.’

“Ultimately if it’s something a customer wants and the price is right, they will buy it regardless,”

says the aforementioned store owner from Wisconsin who went on to say that she’ll always highlight eco-friendly products in her signage regardless.