The latest research shows that sustainable delivery options are a significant factor influencing consumers' shopping choices, with a quarter (25%) ready to proactively switch retailers without offering such a service.
A survey by last-mile delivery platform Stuart found that while cost remains a top consideration for most shoppers, more than a quarter (27%) of UK customers are willing to pay extra for eco-friendly delivery.
Bucking the trend of consumers demanding faster deliveries, many (41%) are also willing to wait longer for a sustainable delivery service. When it comes to clothes or fashion items, consumers (42%) are willing to wait a few days. At the same time, more than half (53%) of consumers are willing to wait an extra 10 minutes or more for a takeout order.
Consumers also expressed interest in carbon offsetting their delivery emissions (67%) and circular economy principles, including the use of delivery services that collect reusable products, containers and packaging (81%). Notably, only 7% of respondents said environmental concerns were not an important factor in their purchasing Xi.
The study comes at a pivotal time for retailers, ahead of the holiday shopping season. In addition, the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that retail sales were at their lowest level since February 2021, when Covid restrictions were still in place. As businesses compete for sales in a competitive environment, a commitment to eco-friendly delivery can be a deciding factor for ethical buyers. As a result, companies that promote sustainable practices may gain an advantage in attracting and retaining environmentally conscious consumers.
Cornelia Raportaru, CEO of Stuart, said: "Our research shows that despite the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, sustainability remains an influencing factor in consumer purchasing decisions. It's clear that they care about their carbon footprint, so if businesses want to stay ahead of the competition, they must care too. Our goal is to empower them to meet consumer demand for sustainable delivery, and these insights will help us develop new solutions for our partners." ”