October 2004 management briefing
Once a small niche market limited to a few food categories, the ethical foods (EF) marketplace has grown rapidly in recent years and is now moving very rapidly into the mainstream. This report includes analysis of key issues regarding EF, including defining the marketplace, a historical and political perspective, sales trends, consumer research and recent policy developments. The rich and growing arena of EF is a tale of the wealthy helping the less fortunate, consumer scepticism, international politics, corporate scandals, social and economic justice, businesses “doing good by doing right,” environmental and cultural preservation, women’s rights, child and animal welfare and, ultimately, global sustainability. Food companies that embrace EF as integral components of their business strategy will gain significant market advantage in the coming years.