Shoppers Turn Blind Eye to Bangladesh in $6 Bikini Hunt

[marmar]

(Bloomberg) In the wake of disasters in Bangladesh garment factories that have claimed hundreds of lives in recent months, shoppers in the west have shown growing concern about worker safety in developing countries. As long as it doesn’t mean an end to bargains.

“It bothers me, but a lot of retailers are getting their clothes from these places and I can’t see how I can change anything,” 21-year-old university student Elizabeth McNail said, clutching a brown paper bag from clothier Primark the day after a building collapse in Savar, Bangladesh, killed at least 362 people. “They definitely need to improve, but I’ll still shop here. It’s so cheap.”

Both of Primark’s stores on Oxford Street in central London heaved with crowds sorting through clothing under neon signs heralding “Amazing Fashion Amazing Prices” last week. The floors were littered with crumpled t-shirts, jeans, and sundresses, while shoppers waited in queues 50-deep to pay for summer wear like a 1.50-pound ($2.32) fluorescent sun visor and 7-pound cut-off denim shorts.

Primark, a unit of Associated British Foods Plc, is one of at least five retailers whose products were made in the eight- story building that collapsed. Loblaw Cos.’ brand Joe Fresh, U.K. budget retailer Matalan Ltd., plus-size womenswear seller Bonmarche Ltd. and Spanish department store El Corte Ingles have also said they had suppliers in the building. ...................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-28/shoppers-turn-blind-eye-to-bangladesh-in-6-bikini-hunt.html

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. It's a vipscious circle

A lot of the folks shopping at places like Wally World, or this British store...can't afford to make a statement since their pay is not that high.

It's not that they are hunting for bargains, they can't afford not to.

[grasswire]

2. I disagree.

The trend toward "disposable" fashion at the lower end of the market does not serve anyone well except the stock holders of the manufacturing companies. The merchandise is so shoddy that it only serves the felt need for variety. Talk about planned obsolescence! Those with little money for clothing are better served buying second-hand and looking for quality workmanship and quality materials.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. They are, but for the most part don't

It's a time issue.

FYI my mom got me a shirt at Wally World five years ago, and to my surprise it's still in good shape.

She knows how I feel, but...thank you mom

I will not go into a Wally World but in Mexico City you almost can't avoid it