Procter & Gamble ~ Another Reason To Boycott The Company?
Is associating with the Sussexes a wise or greedy gamble?
Procter & Gamble have had their own recent issues, where they have been embroiled in deforestation practices via their supply chain, and now they have added the Archewell controversy into the mix. Perhaps they saw things from the wrong ‘lens’ and looked at collaborating with them to enhance their global profile, but was that was before the OW interview where even Americans admit that the duo publicly defamed the RF and Monarchy? Harry then dismissed the First Amendment as ‘bonkers’ and claimed he didn’t understand it, but then continued to be dismissive of what is one of the most treasured rights that Americans have. I’m not so sure P&G gambled on that…
Somehow I don’t think people will consider getting into bed with people who openly attack others with misinformation and disinformation can be classed as ethical. Even when these issues are presented to P&G, they try to dismiss them as seen in the letter below that was sent as a reply to a reader who expressed their concerns about P&G collaborating with Archewell.
It is a classic case of (how I interpret the response), ‘We have your letter, and we have to pretend that we care about your views because we have to send some kind of response. Actually, we don’t care what you think, and we have billions of customers so it doesn’t matter what you do, so long as our worldwide image makes us look good.’
People boycott products and services for all kinds of reasons, and at times those companies aren’t aware of the public perception or feeling if there are issues, which is why they should value public feedback. However, when they know how the public have responded to an issue and ignore it, what then? Often when people boycott a brand or service it takes a while before the effects are felt, and while I encourage people to make their own decisions, we are fortunate in this day and age to have choices (most of us). P&G are a household name, and many of their brands are loved and used by billions of people, but are they taking that for granted and feel as if they can still carry on in an unethical manner?
As I said, many of us think about switching to ethical or eco-friendly brands, but either don’t do it from habit, or because it’s simply easier to pick it up at the supermarket. During Covid-19, there was the momentum to help keep small businesses afloat, and perhaps that should be kept alive, as people are more aware of what they need versus what they think they need or want. Companies such as The Body Shop, and Weleda have been around for decades, and offer ethical products, and even the big companies such as Unilever now have ethical brands.
Where we shop and what we choose to buy can be considered a reflection of our morals and beliefs, and this has left people questioning whether the company behind their loved and trusted brands is worthy of support when they support an entity that openly attacks a Nation, accusing it of racism, and defames the British Royal Family. The irony of them holding a Royal Warrant is repugnant.
Will this collaboration encourage more people to ditch and switch to more ethical brands?
There are options and as consumers we all have choices, and here are some alternatives to the well-known P&G brands as compiled by some other readers:
P&G “Viakal”:-Harpic, Cif, Cillit Bang, Ecozone, Oust, Ecover.
P&G “VICKS”:- Lemsip, Beechams, Benylin, Sudafed, Calpol, Nurofen.
P&G “ORAL-B” TOOTHBRUSHES AND DENTAL FLOSS:- Colgate, Macleans, Aquafresh, Sensodyne, Arm & Hammer, Philip’s Sonicare.
P&G “FAIRY LIQUID”:-Surcare, Ecover, Method, Morning Fresh,
P&G “FIXODENT”:- Poligrip, Ultra Wernets, Fixodent, Seabond, Secure, Cushion Grip.
P&G “AMBI PUR (FEBREZE)”:-Glade,Airwick,Oust, Attitude,Neutradol.
P&G ”LENOR”:-Comfort, Ecover,Surcare, Ecozone.
P&G “PANTENE”:- Alberto Balsam, Garnier Ultimate Blends, John Frieda, Palmolive, Charles Worthington, Vosene, Wella, Toni & Guy.
P&G ”ARIEL/BOLD/DAZ/FAIRY”:- Surf ,Persil, Ecover Zero Non-bio, Woolite, Method, Surcare, Smol.
P&G “OLAY”:- L’Oreal Revitalift/ Age Perfect, Eucerin, Simple, The Ordinary, Ponds, Avene, Nivea.
*With thanks to the readers (all Substack) who submitted their personal correspondence and who made the suggestions for the alternative products.
Other companies are Neal’s Yard Remedies, gruum, Natura Siberica, REN, Childs Farm, Farmologie, UrbanVeda, Sukin, John Masters Organics, Lyonsleaf, Laidbare, Bloomtown, Evolve, The Organic Pharmacy, and Trilogy.
Procter & Gamble sent the above customer a feedback form to complete, and here is the response – perhaps P&G should take note rather than to file it away?
A distraction perhaps, but happy news for the family members that matter.
More correspondence from a former loyal P&G customer who was asked for their feedback from their customer services:
"Your Customer Service dept will have copies of my emails. Your products have been used in my family for many years but since you have chosen to align with the Archewell foundation, I and my family and friends have taken the decision to no longer use your products. Charity, compassion and building better communities is to be applauded but aligning your business with a couple who show none of those traits to their own families, who actively insult the Royal family and members thereof, who have been caught out in blatant lies a number of times, is not anything that I want to be associated with either directly, or indirectly via a Company whose products I have used.
P and G are I am sure, particularly proud of the Royal Warrant bestowed on them by the very Monarch who is the victim of what is, slanderous, disrespectful, unkind and anything but compassionate behaviour. Sad to say, I have removed all products and have replaced them with alternative brands. The replies I received from your Customer Service team were polite but included part of the Archewell mission statement which just rubs salt into the wound of a customer who has expressed disappointment with that very foundation. This was ill advised in my opinion. As an ex Customer Service professional for over 40 years, I found that a more bespoke response rather than impersonal standard letters were by far better received. I have to rate the response as poor as I can't in all conscience rate highly a business in whom I no longer have confidence. Unfortunately, there's no option to award no stars which is what I would have opted for.
Thank you Harry for another extremely informative article, I particularly liked your translation of P&G's letter of reply " We have your letter and we have to pretend that we care about your views" - classic! Until all this happened I had no idea of any of their dodgy business practices and I'm relieved to discover that I haven't got any of their products in the house and obviously I won't be using any in the future.
I keep thinking and hoping that interest in the gruesome twosome will fade away, but I get the impression that JCMH is just getting warmed up. Please someone, make it stop!!