“CONSUMERS BY DEFINITION, INCLUDE US ALL. THEY ARE THE LARGEST ECONOMIC GROUP AFFECTING AND AFFECTED BY ALMOST EVERY PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ECONOMIC DECISION. YET THEY ARE THE ONLY IMPORTANT GROUP WHOSE VIEWS ARE OFTEN NOT HEARD.”
-JOHN F. KENNEDY, 15TH MARCH 1962
These words by the former President of the United States who was also the first global leader to address consumer rights inspired the world at large and drew the spotlight on customers who are the actual game changers of the market. This was also the inspiration for World Consumer Rights Day to be established on March 15th first observed by the Consumer Movement in 1983. President John F. Kennedy also outlined four basic consumer rights in this same speech he made in 1962 which he called the Consumer Bill of Rights namely:
World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated every year in order to raise global awareness about consumer rights and promote consumer protection while creating awareness of market injustices throughout the world focusing on different aspects taken as themes. This year (2023) it is, Empowering consumers through clean energy transitions meaning a rapid transition that promotes clean energy solutions that are sustainable, secure, affordable, and accessible to consumers in the long term from depending on traditional energy sources such as fossil fuels. The rise of E-commerce is a clear-cut example where we could observe this transition which is also open-handedly welcomed by the consumers.
On the hand just like consumers are privileged with these rights never should it be forgotten that they hold responsibility in the other hand. Five main such responsibilities could be stated as follows.
-Critical thinking
-Action
-Social concern
-Environmental awareness
-Solidity
Hence, every single human who definitely plays the role of the consumer at some point needs to enjoy their rights while also fulfilling their responsibilities which mostly could be seen neglected.
Happy World Consumer Rights Day!
Written By:-
Rtr. Zahra Zuhri
(Co-Editor 2022-23)
Nicely penned ! 🥰
Was an informative good read🙌🙌
Food for thought! It’s important for every company to remember to always value their respective customers. It’s not always about profits.
As always well written! 👏🏾