Let’s be honest, when we go shopping we want to feel good about our purchases. We hope that our clothing, makeup, accessories, and everyday items suit our bodies, style, budget, and our beliefs. Especially within the last decade the matter of social responsibility has become an integral part in the success of a company. Since we want to feel good about our purchases, companies are doing their part in offering sustainable, versatile, and affordable products whose profits support important causes. To showcase some of the awesome efforts companies are making in supporting said causes, here are five retailers who are going above and beyond:
1. Raven + Lily: This fair trade company is making amazing strides in the fashion industry. According to their website some of the efforts they are making: employing at risk, impoverished women to improve their livelihood, eco-friendly practices in our sourcing of materials and our design processes, honoring traditional artisan crafts and techniques, providing sustainable fair trade wages, creating exclusive, modern designs that reflect the beauty and culture of the women who create them, donating back to our artisan communities for healthcare and educational needs. Plus, Shay Mitchell from Pretty Little Liars is one of their models!
2. Lands’ End: This company is giving back to the world in so many wonderful ways; from their sustainability efforts to promoting education and creativity for children—they do it all. This year they will be planting their millionth trees.They also have seven EPA Energy Star rated buildings at their corporate headquarters, have a foundation to preserve lighthouses, and are constantly supporting causes such as breast cancer.
3. Mod Cloth: Most retailers have plus size departments nowadays. However, they never show their plus size models in their main advertising campaigns. Mod Cloth is eschewing that standard by featuring models of all different shapes and sizes in their online advertisements. They are doing an amazing job at accurately catering to society as a whole and not just certain body types or stereotypical standards.
4. Selfridges: This London-based department store is leading the industry in providing a wide array of gender-neutral clothing. The collection is titled Agender and is ensuring that people of all genders and identifications have a place to shop in the retail industry.
5. The Body Shop: They have never tested their products on animals; how cool is that? Since 1996 they have been campaigning for cruelty free practices around the world and were the first company to sign the Humane Cosmetics Standard. As of now they have gotten sixty-five companies involved in this campaign.