With 2010 is in full swing, we thought it would be interesting to look back at 2009. Every year sees its fair share of winners and losers in all spheres of life, the shopping arena being no exception. Sadly, due to the economic downturn, 2009 was very much the year of the losers, when a number of well known high street stores bit the dust one by one, including well-loved famous names such as Woolworths, MFI and Principles.

But flip the coin and we find a more optimistic side to shopping in 2009. For a number of years now, retailing has been less about sales and profits and more about what can be done to help the community and how that can raise the profile of responsible companies. So just who were the benefactors of 2009 and what were the good causes they bought into?

Medical heroes

Britain's biggest retailer Tesco has been synonymous with the fight against cancer since 2002 as National Sponsor of the ladies-only Race for Life event, held at around 230 venues across the country. The retail giant is proud to have helped raise an overwhelming £135 million since the annual 5km running event began in 2002 to further the pioneering work of Cancer Research UK. The number of ladies signing up is increasing year upon year and saw close to a million entrants in 2009, many of them having surviving cancer themselves. They say charity begins at home and with the big C now affecting one in three of us, it seems an ever more appropriate fundraising event for a retailer that contributes so closely to our daily lives.

Environmental heroes

2009 will be remembered for the war against plastic carrier bags, when shoppers across the country were urged to reduce their harmful effects on the environment by adopting eco-friendly alternatives. High street giants Asda, Boots and John Lewis all bought into the appeal and pledged their ongoing support by committing to some ambitious targets, including cutting their carbon emissions and waste by over 25% over a period of 4 years. All three companies are attempting to reduce water use, improve recycling information and cut down on the use of packaging on their own-brand products, as well as encouraging customers to adopt more environmentally friendly behaviours.

Ethical heroes

Anita Roddick was ahead of her time when she pioneered the concept of ethical business, launching the Body Shop way back in the 1970s. These days ethical trading is a hot topic in retailing, with an ever increasing focus on the sale of fairtrade products and initiatives that benefit workers in third-world countries. The Co-operative for one, brands itself as one of the leaders in fairtrade. As one of the founder members of the ETI (Ethical Trading Initiative) Monsoon Accessorize is committed to valuing every person that contributes to delivering its range of accessories to our high street from many remote corners of the world. In 2009 further ETI members Marks and Spencer, Next, New Look and George at Asda have also worked tirelessly with overseas suppliers to improve their processes, communications and forecasting abilities and as a result have made a real difference to working conditions and pay in Third World countries.