Being a Consumactor: You as client have the power through your purchasing decisions to make a vote. The companies you support by your act of buying can grow and develop. Companies who do not sell cannot make money, grow and might disappear.
Especially when looking into Made in France products you need to reflect on what you are buying and why. If you want to support the local economy, purchase from it. If you want to assure jobs, buy from these industries. It is not more difficult than that to become a “consumactor”.
What is a “Consumactor”?
Originating from the French words “consommateur” and “acteur” the French term is “Consommacteur or consom’acteur”. The word consumactor is the mix of consumer and actor. These are people who know their power through purchasing.
People who do not just want to buy anything but make an impact with the purchase are Consumactors. The motivation can be political, from an environmental or social cause. And you can become one as well.
Buying products which are Made in France is a clear statement towards quality, good work conditions and social responsibility. Products manufactured in France are made with a low environmental impact in terms of CO2 emission.
Of course impacts vary between product categories and materials. But when buying Made in France you make a vote and become a Consumactor. Every purchasing decision impacts the industry, employment, assures local know-how, impacts the environment and assures wealth.
Follow the steps explained here and move towards a more ethical and sustainable consumption:
Verify the origin of the products
Ask yourself where something is made. This is already a great indicator how it has been made and under which conditions. A truly Made in France product can be trusted. But if you do not find a clear indication where products come from ask more questions and be careful. What sounds complicated at first will easily become a routine.
Ask in stores and do not hesitate to assure yourself how things are really made. For example if you ask where the t-shirt comes from and the seller only says “France”, do not hesitate to ask in a second questions “and the cotton as well”? – In the way the sales person will answer you, you can see if they take your questions and concerns serious.
Beware of false signs and labels
A truly Made in France product will be marked as. But be careful towards Frenchwashing. Symbols and wording which is used to brand a product as French even though it is not. This is unfortunately still used a lot to voluntary lead the consumers to a wrong idea. In our blog article about Frenchwashing you can learn what it is and how to avoid it.
Take the time you need to change habits
To change radically from one day to another some habits and consumption patterns is impossible and will lead to a lot of stress. Better to allow yourself to take the time needed. Make small changes towards a more sustainable purchase.
The most sustainable is what you already have. So before throwing out of your wardrobe all what is made in China, wear them until they can’t be repaired anymore. Only that time buy something new which is ethical and made under better conditions.
The same way you can change consumption habits of food or cosmetics. Use what you have and when selecting new, select a sustainable product which is made locally and has less packaging.
The strength of Consumactors
As a consumer you have 3 forces towards a brand: Buying, recommending and harming. Three impact on a brand and a company. You are the one being able to change. Change for good or for bad- it is all on you.
Buying
Every purchase and buying decision has a direct impact on brands. You spend money for a product or service generates cash-flow and helps the company to grow. Now you will say that just because you spend a few Euros on something you won’t change the system. Ok, right if buying once and only you not. But keep in mind that the strength comes when we act all together. As soon as several people make the same decisions this has an impact. And this means that also your (small) purchase has an impact.
Do not underestimate this and do not use it as excuse of not spending money on something.
Recommending
If you trust a brand and you buy a product and use it you will make an impact. As others see this you will influence people. Wearing a certain shirt or pants, using a certain products all this are recommendations. The same if you talk about it. If you have a good product or service experience you will easily recommend it to others which will result in further sales for the brand.
You can go one step further if you want and use the internet to share your opinion. Leave a positive review or comments, share the purchase on social media and talk about this. All this will impact the brand.
Harming
The same way you can recommend a product you have the power to harm a brand. If you share negative comments, use social media and internet for negative reviews etc,. all this will harm a brand.
Being a Consumactor includes a clear positioning, positive or negative. Just reflect before voluntarily harming a brand. If you have really a bad experience, why not to contact the brand before? Give them the chance to explain them before just going against.
Like in real life look out to communicate before talking badly. Of course go for it if they do not listen or do not take you serious. But maybe the late delivery was not their fault, maybe the technical problem can be easily fixed and maybe they will be generous in their excuse.
Ready to be a Consumactor?
Now on you to change step by step towards being a Consumactor. You have the power and you can make changes. Use this power for the right cause!
If you have questions for brands, ask them. The companies working Made in France or positioning them clearly as sustainable will be happy to answer you. And the ones not taking you serious are not worth your purchase!
