Since 2004, the French CCC coalition,
Collectif de l'Ethique sur l'Etiquette, has been stepping
up pressure on the big French sports retailers and supermarkets.
Their targets include the big supermarket chain Carrefour,
along with Auchan, Decathlon, Leclerc, Go Sport and Intersport.
Last
year, a "barometer" was published ranking 16 French
companies according to their management of social quality
in their supply chains. All were found seriously lacking
compared with the big three international brands Nike, Reebok
and adidas.
Pressure continued through a booklet called "Entreprises
et Qualité Sociale 2004" ("Companies and
Social Quality 2004") which delivered an in-depth analysis
of social quality management by the retailers. Meanwhile
122 local CCC coalitions, which involve consumer groups
and trade unions, organised over 330 events across the country
and there was a demonstration in front of the Eiffel Tower
in Paris in June. Some 110,000 postcards were sent to the
main sports retail-ers. Huge press and TV coverage was won
for the campaign.
In the second phase, beginning in early 2005, the focus
has narrowed on the six big retailers. In "Jouez le
Jeu!" or "Play the Game!", as the campaign
is called, at least 43 local CCC coalitions have asked for
meetings with the managers of 144 supermarket/retailer branches
across the country to discuss their social quality management.
So far, 26 have agreed. Auchan and Go Sport are proving
to be much more open than, for example, Decathlon.
A thousand guidance manuals for activists have been sent
out, along with 3,500 posters, 50,000 campaigning leaflets,
500 education/training panels and 48,000 stickers. The French
campaign-ers are finding that the campaign is generating
significant coverage in the local press and media.
"Jouez le Jeu!" campaign materials can be found
at:
www.ethique-sur-etiquette.org.
