Campaign

Carrotmob

The Carrotmob is a combination of the basic premise of positive reinforcement (i.e. the carrot as opposed to the stick) with the creative energy of the mob genre. Simply put, it is karmic reward. It encourages a business that is already making good and ethical choices by giving it more business – a group shopping spree. That business, in return, will sign a pledge making a commitment to further ethical improvements to their store.

Carrotmobs are becoming popular worldwide. There have been over 200 Carrotmobs in over 20 countries and all of them are bringing pressing social issues to light. Increasing the visibility of fair trade fits aptly into the Carrotmob model as they are both about voting with your money. Every time a consumer consciously and conscientiously makes the decision to spend their dollars toward an ethical and sustainable business or product, they have voted with their support.

On March 9, 2013 from 11:00am – 4:00pm at Chocolatier Constance Popp’s at 1853 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Fair Trade Manitoba facilitated Manitoba’s first ever Carrotmob. The event was a huge success with over 200 Manitobans carrotmobbing the store to encourage Constance Popp to increase visibility of Fair Trade products in her stores and to switch her in-store hot chocolate drink to 100% Fair Trade. In fact, Constance reported six times the sales of a regular Saturday on the day of the Carrotmob. Fair Trade Manitoba would like to thank all the volunteers and the 200+ Manitoba chocolatelovers who helped to make the event such a massive success story.

Manitoba’s second Fair Trade Carrotmob took place on Saturday September 28, 2013 from 11:00am to 2:00pm at Jonnies Sticky Buns at 941 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg. The event was a massive success, with over 190 Manitobans turning up to BUYcott Jonnies Sticky Buns, purchasing over 400 sticky buns and managing to sell out the store by 1:00pm! There was about a $500 increase from average Saturday sales which is a 45% increase in sales on the day of the Carrotmob. In return for the overwhelming show of public support for Fair Trade, Jonnies Sticky Buns has pledged to introduce a Fair trade chocolate bun to the permanent menu including Fair Trade sugar, chocolate, and possibly cinnamon. In addition, he will put up more signage for the Fair Trade products already used in store.