Exclusive trading

Reading a short biography of Robert Owen (by Stirling Smith, published by the Co-operative College) recently, a very short passage caught my attention:

‘…at this time great interest in the concept of exclusive trading, that is only shopping with retailers who supported progressive and democratic ideals. The chartists were particularly keen on this idea.’

This struck me as a great idea and one which could increase our own knowaledge of the sector; the products we buy; and consumerism in general. Could it catch on? Would it not need a more defined statement than simply ‘retailers who supported progressive and democratic ideals’? Perhaps instead: ‘retailers who have social and environment ideals and a form of social ownership’- or in other words-a social enterprise (Marks and Spencer need not apply!).

This idea, forged in the very early days of our movement, is one that may just be about to make a comeback. Would it be possible in today’s society to purchase exclusively from social enterprises?

This question tempts me to undertake an inverse Super-Size Me, a film in which documentary maker Morgan Spurlock just eats McDonald’s food for 30 days. Ian, our information and membership officer, has put a poll together for the site. So here’s the challenge to you: I need 100 people to take part in the poll and if the majority vote ‘yes’ then for a whole month I will try and purchase everything exclusively from social enterprises!

So how will this work? If I need a computer peripheral I could buy it from Airedale Computers; office equipment from Re-Work Furniture; food from the Co-operative Group; clothes at Arkadash. This list goes on. Doesn’t sound too difficult does it…! I will give it a go and blog about the experience, keeping records of goods purchased.

So vote here: http://www.seyh.org.uk/blog