Shopping is a new form of social activism! 

Press release: Thursday, 25 October 2012

Despite the economic downturn affecting millions of household budgets, the market for ethical products and the public’s engagement with animal welfare issues has never been higher, says RSPCA chief executive Gavin Grant.

Last night, the RSPCA recognised those businesses from the world of food and fashion, which have been leading the way when it comes to animal welfare.

At the Good Business Awards ceremony in London, companies as diverse as global fashion giant ASOS and supermarket Sainsburys were rewarded for their animal welfare policies, alongside traditional butchers and luxury small fashion labels.

Shopping as social activism

“With shoppers more savvy and socially conscious than ever, they expect more from the companies they give their hard earned money too - they want better value and greater meaning in the businesses they support,” said Gavin Grant.

“In these difficult times consumers want ways to give their lives more political and ethical meaning, and this new form of social activism has affected day-to-day activities such as shopping. That’s why the Good Business Awards are so relevant, as people feel the award is a badge of quality and assurance,” he added.

Food for thought

The highest accolade of the evening among the supermarkets went to Sainsbury’s for Retailer of the Year. The judges were impressed with their all round commitment to higher welfare food and good customer communication. Sainsbury’s was also honoured with the Engagement Award for coming up a brand new higher welfare pork luncheon meat.

This year also marked the launch of the brand new Hot Topic award, which put the power to decide what animal welfare issue matters most, back into the hands of the consumer.

Live transport was the Hot Topic for 2012, and GBA judges chose the Co-operative to receive this award - for having an average transport time of less than hour.

Edge and Sons, a traditional local butcher in Wirral, won best independent retailer, while organic food delivery company Abel & Cole and cured meat producer The Bath Pig Company were both highly commended.

Lussmans fish and grill restaurant in St Albans and Hertford won the independent restaurant award, while Cafe Spice Namaste in London was highly commended.

The British Larder, Suffolk, won the pubs category for its commitment to animal welfare. Navigation Inn at Buxworth was highly commended in this category. Eco Cuisine – an ethical catering company in London - won best caterer.

Fashion without fear

Both large and small fashion companies are also working hard to improve animal welfare.

Global fashion giant ASOS scooped the RSPCA’s Good Business Award for Innovation; proving that no matter how large an organisation, animal welfare can be at the heart of successful business.

Despite the online fashion and beauty retailer offering over 50,000 branded and own label products, ASOS is leading the way in developing and implementing an impressive animal welfare policy that covers wool, angora, cashmere, feathers and down; animal testing, as well as endangered species, fur, leather and exotic skins.

The company also has robust employee training programmes and has published its own ‘faux from real’ fur guide to help buyers, suppliers and customers identify fake from real fur.

High street favourite George at Asda was presented with the large company with the large company award, while Izzy Lane scooped the small company award for producing desirable, ethical high fashion at an achievable price. Eco-fashion company Rapanui were highly commended in this category.

Designer and co-founder of Red or Dead Wayne Hemingway, an RSPCA Good Business Awards fashion judge, said: “This proves the industry has run out of excuses. If a company as large as ASOS can bring so many labels and lines together under one ethical sourcing policy then there is no defence for others.”

“The fashion industry must up its game now, if it wants to remain relevant and profitable to a new generation of clued-up, ethically active shoppers,” he added.

The winners were revealed and awards presented at the RSPCA Good Business Awards evening ceremony at One Marylebone, London, on Wednesday 24 October 2012.

Notes to editors:

• The RSPCA Good Business Awards reward the food and fashion companies with the best animal welfare policies, and in particular those who are trying to improve and develop their work to improve animal welfare.
• Judges for the fashion category are Lisa Armstrong, Daily Telegraph fashion editor, Wayne Hemingway, designer and co-founder of Red or Dead, and Shelly Vella, fashion director of Cosmopolitan magazine.
• Judges for the food category are journalist and TV presenter Richard Johnson, independent food consultant Dr Geoff Spriegel and Prof John Webster, Professor Emeritus at Bristol University.

For more information about the awards, please visit www.rspcagoodbusinessawards.com. To find out more about ethical food and fashion, go to www.goodthings.org.uk