07/18/05 Power of the pocketbook

Today I challenge you to stop for a moment and reflect on the power we share as consumers, and then determine how it can be exercised it a positive way. The power of our pocketbooks has devastated product lines and wiped out corporate Americas bottom line. For example when consumers boycotted Abercrombie and Fitch after numerous objections to their racy catalog and clothing targeting teens went unnoticed, their stock nosedived. Consumers can also be malicious. The beleaguered Wendy's franchise has battled an unwarranted image problem caused by unscrupulous woman who claimed to have found a finger in her beef chili last month. The false accusation has cost the chain of over 6.000 restaurants an average loss of two to two and a half percent It is disturbing to note that the actions of one person can affect the livelihood of thousands but on the flip side oh the good we could all do if we used the power of our pocketbook to evoke positive changes. Definitely Food Forethought. I'm Susan Allen Source: www.nytimes 04/29/05