To think it’s pretty sad that anything commercial is totally insincere?

[tchoos]

Example…In 2020 there was a surge of Christmas adverts with black people heavily represented. Today? Back to usual white families as the majority.

It makes me a bit sick that all this is simply a marketing ploy. It’s the same with Gaza, whether to wear poppies etc… all positioned to keep business afloat, no real sincere point to what they choose to do from a moral standpoint.

I know that’s business but I wish people didn’t give these companies so much credit. We all gush over John Lewis or Sainsbury’s doing ‘the right thing,’ but like with the Christmas adverts, it’s fickle. I hate it. Probably need to get over myself but it really bothers me!

I do agree with you - it's quite rare that businesses make a real moral standpoint. One exception - I discovered yesterday that the Entertainer close on a Sunday, apparently because the owner is a Christian. That must be a rare example of a business loosing profit due to their moral standpoint I think?

Trying to think of others now...

@Pootles34 that is nice to hear!!

I guess some do but the big ones I just think we get so sucked in when really the joke is on us!

YANBU, but from what I have seen I'm pretty sure that mixed families are the majority in advertising nowadays.

Does it matter though? If they support a charity to enhance their reputation, the charity still benefits. Does it matter what the motivation is if the outcome is still the same?

Oh is that why? I didn't know that. I do know it costs them £££ to do so.

I seem to recall they close on all public holidays too?

Businesses are there to make a profit. End of. If they can make more profit by getting people to buy because they believe they are supporting some moral principle, then that's what they will do. If it didn't bring in more customers they wouldn't do it.

It's a bit disheartening I agree, but that's how the world works.

I also agree that mixed families are the norm in advertising now.

@ShirleyPhallus but these things are soon forgotten. The black squares for example… it won’t be mentioned again unless there’s public outcry like in 2020. So I’m not sure they really do actually do much to help?

82% of people in the UK are white. About 4.2% are black. So yes when 50% of people in the adverts were black it wasn’t exactly representative of the population they are selling to and if you look at the adverts now it still isn’t representative. If anything the most underrepresented are people of Asian origin. Why don’t they get a bit more representation as they have a much bigger population in the UK.

My local independent garden centre used to close on a Sunday because the family who owned it were Christian, and I admired them for sticking to their principles. Unfortunately it got taken over and now is open all day every day just like all the others (and the volume of tat outweighs the actual plants and garden-related items). Shame.

Personally I want retailers to stick to the business that they are good at and not become political as they have to represent the whole population and certain issues can be devisive.
Lush and their pro trans breast binder exchange policy and Wicks saying that 'transphobes arn't welcome in the stores' are two examples of over politicisation of brands.

https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/06/17/wickes-fraser-longden-boycott/

Business is business. As a customer you are free to seek out ethical brands, or ones that align with your values, but the relentless virtue signalling in advertising and social media is utter nonsense.