# Ethical Purchase Consumers align their purchases and values through online services. By [Vasiliki Marapas](https://www.trendhunter.com/Vasiliki.Marapas), Research Advisor & Writer | Published Feb 24, 2016 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ethical-purchase ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.0/10 - Evidence articles: 7 ## What is the Ethical Purchase trend? **Ethical Purchase:** As consumers become increasingly aware of the impact of their consumption habits, they begin to take steps to change these harmful behaviors. Through mobile apps and online communities, shoppers are not only able to make smarter purchasing decisions based on their values, but also become apart of something bigger than themselves. Ethical shopping has ultimately become a process of self-actualization that consumers are excited to engage in and share with others. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 7 featured examples - Articles from: Feb 23, 2015 to Nov 29, 2016 - Published: Feb 24, 2016 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization), [Authenticity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/authenticity) ## Audience - Gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Ethical Purchase trend ### Ethical Consumption The trend of ethical consumption encourages consumers to make purchases based on moral, environmental, and social factors, leading to the rise of platforms helping shoppers find goods that align with their values. ### Sustainable eCommerce Sustainable eCommerce allows consumers to buy ethically made goods online while contributing to environmental and social causes, leading to the emergence of platforms that offer responsible alternatives alongside conventional items. ### Transparency in Fashion The trend of transparency in fashion incentivizes consumers to demand accountability, labeling, and disclosure for more sustainable and ethical fashion products, leading to the rise of crowdsourced projects that give people more insights into the practices of fashion brands. ## What the Ethical Purchase trend means for industry ### For Ethical Retail The ethical retail industry offers platforms to inform and educate consumers who are inclined to purchase products that are moral, ethical, and sustainable. Opportunities lie in the production and promotion of products that align with these values. ### For Sustainable Agriculture The sustainable agriculture industry is dedicated to promoting environmentally friendly practices while growing and selling crops, such as reducing waste and increasing biodiversity. Opportunities lie in producing sustainable farming products for buyers who appreciate locally-harvested and healthy foods. ### For Socially Conscious Technology The socially conscious technology industry aims to promote products that consider the ethical and environmental implications on society and the planet, and aim to produce technologies that contribute to sustainability and positive societal outcomes for users. Opportunities are ripe for businesses in the industry that aim to use technology to help individuals and businesses reduce their environmental footprints or support ethical causes. ## Workshop question How can your brand contribute to consumers' self-actualization? ## Trend signals for Ethical Purchase Trend score 5.0 out of 10, from popularity 83%, activity 61%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 83% - Activity: 61% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Ethical Purchase trend 7 featured examples from Feb 23, 2015 to Nov 29, 2016. - [Web-Based Farmers Markets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peaceful-valley): Peaceful Valley's Grow Organic Shop Carries Farming and Gardening Goods (Category: Eco) Implication: The rise of web-based farmer's markets offers E-commerce businesses an opportunity to tap into the growing interest in buying locally-sourced, organic products. - [Ethically Attuned Shopping Extensions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/donegood): DoneGood Automatically Offers Ethical Shopping Alternatives (Category: Social Good) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop an ethical e-commerce marketplace that curates and promotes products from sustainable and socially responsible companies. - [Consumption-Reducing eCommerce Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buy-me-once): The 'Buy Me Once' Online Shop Only Sells Items That Last (Category: Business) Implication: Opportunities for fashion brands and retailers that seek to combat fast fashion by producing high-quality, long-lasting clothing items with sustainable and ethical production meth… - [Crowdsourced Ethical Fashion Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/transparent-clothing): Project JUST Demands Transparent Clothing Purchases (Category: Social Good) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop an online marketplace that exclusively features clothing brands with transparent manufacturing processes. - [Ethical Shopping Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/conscious-consumerism): Glia Enables Conscious Consumerism by Matching You with Moral Retail Options (Category: Social Good) Implication: Innovative technology solutions can be developed to help consumers make informed ethical shopping choices. - [Ethical Fashion Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/socially-conscious-fashion): Good On You Shows Socially Conscious Fashion Ratings For Your Favorite Brands (Category: Social Good) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Implement technology-driven solutions that help traditional retailers integrate ethical fashion brands into their product offerings. - [Sustainable Retail Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sustainable-retail): ClimateCounts is the Shopping Application for Socially Conscious Consumers (Category: Social Good) Implication: The ClimateCounts app provides opportunities for retailers to showcase their eco-friendly practices and appeal to consumers who prioritize sustainability. ## Recent trend clusters - [Delegated Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/delegated-interfaces) (Tech) - [Adaptive Controls](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/adaptive-controls) (Tech) - [Desk Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/desk-systems) (Tech) - [Spatial Refinement](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/spatial-refinement) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Decor-Led Home Projectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/decor-led-home-projectors) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) - [Dual-Wavelength Recovery Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joint-therapy) - [Pop-Culture WiFi Routers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-culture-wifi-routers) All articles: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech)