THE UK’s leading ethical retailer has shown that consumer commitment to buying eco-friendly products has not been dented by the economic downturn.

Ethicalsuperstore.com, the Gateshead-based “ethical Amazon”, saw a 55 per cent rise in sales during December compared to the same period in 2008, as customers bought its Fairtrade, organic and ecofriendly products.

Sales during the month topped £700,000, making it the company’s most successful month since launching from a small Newcastle office only five years ago.

And in a positive start to the year, the retailer has seen post- Christmas sales so far in January increase by 150 per cent on last year.

Strong growth was reported in all of its key seasonal merchandise categories, for both online and mail order catalogue sales.

Vic Morgan, co-founder of ethicalsuperstore.com, said: “We are once again delighted with our results for December.

“This proves that despite the general economic climate, the ethical consumer is helping to pave the road to economic recovery through ethical purchasing, whilst making a positive difference in the world without compromising on quality.

“People care about the world they live in, and the limited resources some people have at the moment make them even more careful in choosing a retailer whose ethics are more than skin deep.”