This Is Guernsey

By Tom Edwards

MARKS & Spencer franchisee Tony Creasey has welcomed a pledge from the retailer to sell only ‘cruelty-free’ household cleaning and beauty products.

It is the latest move by the firm as it tries to attract ethically aware consumers. M&S said it would guarantee that 1,200 own-brand products and their ingredients would not involve animal testing during the manufacturing process.

In Guernsey, Mr Creasey said M&S was environmentally friendly in all sorts of ways. Ethical issues, such as this one, play a significant part in many business decisions. The public can take confidence that M&S does the best it can for the planet in the widest possible sense.’

Although a ban on animal testing in the UK has been in force for a decade, cosmetics that are tested in another country are still sold there.

M&S had found that more than 80% of consumers were concerned about animal testing.

Both Tesco and Waitrose have said their own-brand products are not tested on animals, but lack certification from the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection.

All M&S testing-free products will carry the BUAV logo by the end of the year.

In Guernsey, Mr Creasey said the decision would have a limited effect because the branch did not stock that many cosmetic products. ‘There isn’t really the space and there are already a lot of beauty products available.’

Mr Creasey also said work was almost complete on the refurbishment of Creasey’s High Street store.

‘We’re 97% of the way there. It’s 20 years since it was last done and it needed updating. There was no halfway measure, we had to do the full job.

‘It has also allowed us to bring in a new range of cosmetics, so we now have a very modern perfumery.’

Mr Creasey added that the move of prams, babywear and toys from the Bridge to the Bordage had paid off.

‘The first part of the year is not the best from a retail point of view, but I’m expecting it to pick up during the school holidays.’