The'excluded consumer' : a neglected aspect of social exclusion
- 2002
This article investigates social exclusion in relation to consumption. To do this, we introduce the notion of the `excluded consumer'. In order to understand who defines themselves as excluded from normal consumption practices, and how, the results of inerviews with 400 households in lower income UK urban neighvourhoods are reported. This reveals that households view themselves as excluded from mainstream consumption practices not only when they cannot afford to acquire goods but alo when they are reliant on alternative retail channels (eg car boot sales, second-hand shops) to obtain them. We conclude by arguing that policy initiatives are required to aid these excluded consumers