No purchase necessary

Posted on 27. Nov, 2007 by Archivist in Biz/Tech, Editorial, In Focus

Jenny Cheadle
Special to Et Cetera

Tomorrow is International Buy Nothing Day, but for two Toronto retailers it is just as much about not selling as it is about not buying.
A 24-hour moratorium on spending, International Buy Nothing Day was first developed by artist Ted Dave and then adopted by Vancouver-based media foundation Adbusters in 1992.
The event involves  over 65 countries, takes place in North America every year on the Friday following Thanksgiving, otherwise known as Black Friday – or   the most important shopping day in the U.S.
This year it will be on Nov. 23.
“I think we wanted to make a statement,” said Steven Fish, owner of eco-friendly footwear store Left Feet, located in the heart of Kensington Market.
Though Fish has owned the store for six years, this year will be the first time he closes his store on Buy Nothing Day.
 “We’re demonstrating that our primary focus isn’t necessarily profitability.”
Traditionally, the event has placed pressure solely on consumers, asking them to avoid making purchases in an effort to draw awareness to the worldwide problem of over-consumption.
But storeowners – who have more at stake by forfeiting sales than consumers who merely miss out on purchases – are beginning to set a trend in choosing not to sell.
Fish made the decision along with business neighbour Natalie Stephenson, owner of fashion boutique Heart on Your Sleeve.
“We do make our living selling things,” said Fish. “But we’re also in the business of ethical retail. I want to encourage people to buy smart.”
For storeowners like Fish, profit is not always the primary concern.
“We are all leaving an environmental footprint,” he said. “Sometimes it’s more important not to buy something.”
Students at Humber have mixed reactions about Buy Nothing Day.
Public relations student Gillian Simpson said she tries to not buy anything on Nov. 23.
“It’s hard when you drive. You’re always going to need to buy gas, or something,” she said.
International project management student Corey Norman said, “Buy Nothing Day should instead be Buy With a Conscience Day. What if we all bought green products, or organic goods? The money still makes its way into the system but it achieves a much greater impact.”