Globalisation and trade liberalisation have long flooded Western markets with cheap, mass-produced goods. By capitalising on low labour costs and lax regulations in developing countries, Western consumers steadily gained access to products at a fraction of their true cost.
The key turning point came in 2001 when China’s accession to the World Trade Organization solidified the still-then ‘sleeping dragon’s’ integration into the global market. This opened the door to unfettered Western access to cheap Chinese exports, which would soon dominate global trade.
Since then, Western consumers have come to expect and yearn for ever-lower prices, driving a race to the bottom in which companies prioritise profits ahead of quality and ethics. The explosion of ultra-cheap Chinese e-commerce platforms such as Shein and Temu in recent years has amplified this trend.
Meanwhile, social media has fuelled a culture of impulsive, low-quality consumption. Platforms such as TikTok and Instagram are awash with influencers promoting the latest ‘must-have’ Amazon finds – most of which people didn’t know existed and don’t need. Items such as disposable toilet brushes, banana slicers, and mouthwash dispensers are pitched as essentials for modern living, when they’re anything but. This manifests itself into an endless cycle of people wanting to buy more and more stuff in the name of convenience and style when really, it’s about buying for the sake of buying.
So, it’s time we rethink our approach to consumerism. What do we really need? What will last?
The relentless push for more, cheaper goods is unsustainable and, ultimately, undesirable. It fosters a culture of waste and disposability, where the promise of savings often masks the hidden costs of exploitation, environmental harm, and the sheer uselessness of many purchases.
Just because something is inexpensive doesn’t make it a good deal. Higher-quality goods may cost more initially, but they provide better value over time. Take fast fashion. You won’t see vintage Shein garments being sold on second-hand markets such as Vinted or Depop a decade from now. Fast-fashion items won’t last long enough to make it there.
Of course, buying cheap goods is a necessity for many, especially given ongoing cost-of-living pressures. Yet for those who can afford it, investing in higher-quality goods – whether new or second-hand – provides greater long-term value. Such purchases are not only economically sensible but ethically sound. Again, cheap goods come with hidden costs: exploitation, unsafe working conditions, and even child labour. So, remember, you pay for what you get. Prioritising quality over quantity and making thoughtful, sustainable purchasing decisions will yield better outcomes for all.
