Ethical concerns in cosmetics retailing: a comparative study of consumer attitudes towards cosmetics purchase between Europe and Asia with particular reference to Bangladesh and the UK

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore the ethical concerns in cosmetics retailing and its implications on comparative consumers’ purchase decisions of cosmetics in the UK and Bangladesh. Consumer response to ethical and green issues in the recent years appears to vary considerably between developed and developing economies. In particular, this paper also intends to identify how and to what extent, in a developing country like Bangladesh, consumers’ purchase decisions are influenced by the concept of ethical, green and animal welfare issues. Results show that ethical purchasing attitudes have some similarities between the UK and Bangladesh. However, there could be differing reasons for the adoption of ethical stances. Young consumers, however, have similar attitudes in both countries.