Link to article: http://www.economist.com/blogs/freeexchange/2014/10/economics-toms-shoes
Some economists have critiqued the economic impact TOMS shoes brought by their initiative to donate a pair of shoes to children in extreme poverty for every pair of shoes bought by their customers. Economists think that by doing so, TOMS is stagnating the local economy in the poorer areas by giving children what they need and stopping their families to go to local markets to purchase the shoes. However, I think this is an absurd theory and economists should really invest their time in issues that are more urgent and in need of solutions. We live in a world with unimaginable income disparity between the rich and the poor; it is always refreshing and glad to see that large companies like TOMS to create shared values within the global community by taking the lead to do something small but change many people’s lives. In my perspective, the economy is such a large market that it will not be influenced by a pair of free shoes; also, it is never too much to have an extra pair of shoes – it is not possible for someone to wear only one pair of shoes for his/her entire life. I think that the society needs more of this type of goodwill actions led by powerful companies or authorities in order to shorten the gap between the rich and the poor – even something as simple as donating a pair of shoes.
toms were made for people to be comfy thats just how i feel about the shoe
I completely agree with Ellen because one pair of shoes donated wont do no harm. if all we are worried about is making money then there is no humanity left in the world. also these are for kids who cant afford it, if they cant afford it how would they buy shoes in the first place . I don’t see how this would affect the economy.
I agree with Ellen because I don’t believe that a small but nice deed such as giving a pair of shoes to children of less fortunate families will heavily impact the economy. I’ve bought a great number of shoes throughout my life and the one pair of Uggs my uncle recently gave me won’t harm the economy. I’ll purchase many more shoes in my lifetime. One pair of shoes won’t send the economy on a downward spiral.
I believe his main message is talking about the difference between the rich and poor and how life shouldn’t be like that at all.
I agree with Ellen because a pair of free shoes won’t harm the economy at all. I also think that this system that tom has established will have a significant impact on peoples lives and is very thoughtful of him. There should be more companies out there like this !
I agree with Iris because I feel that TOMS is doing a good deed for the people who aren’t as fortunate to afford shoes. And I feel that economists should feel the need to help out people who need it
I agree with this blog because I feel like a couple pairs of donated shoes won’t really do anything to affect the economy. I also feel like TOMs shoes didn’t have bad intentions in giving kids in poverty shoes. They just wanted to do good and I think that’s cool because you don’t really see other large companies doing that.
I agree with Ellen. The idea that donating shoes to lower incomed communities is affecting the economy is extremely absurd. And even their rebuttal is inconsiderate. How can parents purchase shoes for their children if they are experiencing unimaginable financial struggles? Donations and non-profot organizations improves the livelihood of individuals on a financial level. And when this issue is tackled, productivty is improved along with the health and education sectors. The economy then grows and flourish as a result of this. With that being said, companies like TOM help improve the economy.
I agree with the standpoint that there are more pressing issues than shoes. What TOMS is doing is just donating shoes to people that live in poverty, and it helps a lot of people.
I agree with what Ellen has to say. As a shoe company they should know that one pair of shoes isn’t going last a Child for at least 2-3 months. And as a shoe company TOMS should be a little more considerate of that fact. They could also probably do more in doing something about their one-for-one motto.
I think that is a good way to , make business because no only Toms get money by shoes, even he got money by the same donations and money , obviously that to make a big step like that need shorts steeps to make a dynamic business to help others and oneself.
I completely agree with Ellen because one pair of shoes donated wont do no harm. if all we are worried about is making money then there is no humanity left in the world. also these are for kids who cant afford it, if they cant afford it how would they buy shoes in the first place . I don’t see how this would affect the economy.
I believe this would actually better the community and be a great help to a lot of children needs
I completely agree with Ellen because one pair of shoes donated wont do no harm. if all we are worried about is making money then there is no humanity left in the world.
I believe this would actually better the community and be a great help to a lot of children needs. It would give people in the community another reason to feel they have a positive purpose in the world
I agree because a kid living in poverty doesn’t really have the opportunity to get new shoes because the family never has any money, however thanks to Toms shoes and giving a pair to kids in poverty, not only will it make their day, they’ll also take care of it and make it last as long as possible
I agree with Ellen. I think that there are way more important things then someone giving away a free pair of shoes. A pair of shoes doesn’t change anything about the economy, and since they’re going to a family in need its not really affecting anyone beside those who are getting the shoes.
It’s great to see a shoe company like Thomas want to provide help to people who really need this help and object to other companies just because they care about profit and didn’t think about people who don’t have money to buy their shoes
I think TOMS has a good impact on the community because although this may not change the circumstances of their lives, this is a life changing moment to be donated a pair of shoes. There are so many instances where not having shoes could harmfully impact you.
I agree with the statement made. I believe that TOM’s is doing a good thing by donating a pair of shoes for each pair purchased. It makes the lives of children who desperately need them significantly better. Again, much like the blog states, economists should be focusing on other economic issues in the world, not one which has a solution. There are many other people, places, and societies in desperate need of economic balances, and need much more attention.
I agree that it is helpful to donate shoes to children who are in need of it but they didn’t need to portray that those countries are poor and incapable of helping their people. It does help kids go to school but eventually having one pair of shoes wont last forever. On top of that it causes havoc to other growing small businesses trying to make a living, now they have to compete with free shoes. I mean we can’t tell people where and how to spend their money / resources .There is other urgent pressing matters that need donations to support their cause, maybe they can provide contribution to others as well .