Outrageous Corporate Behavior

I know, outrageous? In what context, post-economy-meltdown with all the attendant horror stories of corporate greed and excess? (Oh, I suppose "horror stories" is a subjective term, as in: the executives probably didn't see it that way, but us peons down here do.)

The thing of it is, I thought that all of us were on the same consciousness-raising boat ride right now, everyone turning back to frugality and everyone knowing multiple people going through lay-offs and what-not. As in, a good time to take your blinders off and start noticing the plight of those people who have it even worse off than you think you do. I guess some people still don't get it, and by people you know I mean heartless corporate parasites who would rather THROW THEIR PRODUCT AWAY than see it helping someone who didn't have the resources to pay for it. H&M, I am talking to you. And possibly Wal-mart too, according to this article in the New York Times.

See, I understand. I've worked for large enough companies and heard their sort of reasoning enough to know right away why H&M might be destroying their superfluous unsold clothing. Instead of doing something nice, say, giving it to charity. In the middle of winter. As the disadvantaged & poverty-stricken are likely freezing for lack of sufficient clothing. But maybe that's just what I'd do with it. H&M though, I can see why they may think that if people are seen wearing H&M stuff, and word gets around this was unpaid for... Well, they'd be freaked it would destroy their brand. The value of what does sell would go down. They would make less money. And we all know what executives worship.

So, H&M, why not give the items to a charity in a country where you don't have a presence? Where you don't have any stores. Like Africa, India, or anywhere in Central or South America. Because last I heard, there were plenty of people in any of those countries who need what you see fit to destroy.

(Clarification: I really don't think it's an advantage to understand why corporations do the things they do. And just because I understand doesn't mean I agree. But I think you already guessed that.)

Whew, I really needed to get that off my chest! You can vent here too in the comments, if you feel like it. Thanks to @lessherger, @ittybiz, and others for tweeting this news so that I could see it & boycott this store. Ok, you may now return to something a little happier than this posting here, maybe. I think I will too.