Acosta has released its latest research report, Sustainability Impact on Purchase Behavior. The research demonstrates consumer preferences for sustainability initiatives among retailers and highlights a shift in purchase behaviours to support these efforts.
Key Takeaways
Environmental Concerns
- More than half of shoppers (56 per cent) are very concerned about the future of the environment. This sentiment often drives what products they purchase.
- Seventy-five percent of millennials say sustainability is very/somewhat important when buying consumer packaged goods.
- Four in 10 shoppers are more concerned about sustainability now than they were pre-COVID-19.
Lifestyle Changes
- Shoppers are making the effort to live eco-friendlier lifestyles.
- Eighty percent have made it a priority to reduce, reuse and recycle products and packaging.
- Sixty-three percent are more likely to seek out food and beverage products that are minimally processed.
- Sixty percent are paying more attention to product packaging and its impact on the environment.
- Older shoppers (Boomers+) are more likely to recycle, while younger shoppers (Gen Z and Millennials) are more likely to modify their buying habits.
Product Purchase Behaviours
- Eighty-five percent of those who buy green products will always or most likely buy them in the future.
- The top sustainable products purchased in the last year include fresh produce (60 per cent), cleaning products (44 per cent), and eggs (43 per cent).
- Consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products, such as plant-based meat alternatives (81 per cent), beauty and personal care items (80 per cent), dairy and dairy alternatives (78 per cent), and meat/poultry (74 per cent).
Retailer Responsibility
- Consumers agree retailers have a responsibility to the environment and communities in which they serve.
- Only about 1-in-3 shoppers are noticing sustainability efforts by retailers and manufacturers on a regular basis.
- Sixty-five percent would like to see companies putting more investment into sustainability.
Acosta’s Sustainability Impact on Purchase Behavior report was gathered via online surveys using the company’s proprietary shopper community, conducted in October 2021.
