75% Of Shoppers ‘Will Boycott Grocery Brands’ Over Environmental Concerns

In a recent questionnaire by research and data insight company Kantar it was discovered that over three-quarters (77%) of UK grocery shoppers have, in the last 12 months, switched, avoided or boycotted buying certain products, or would consider doing so in the future, based on brands’ environmental policies.

The company questioned over 1,200 UK consumers between the ages of 16 and 65+ about their concern over a range of environmental issues, their purchasing decisions based on a brand’s sustainability credentials, environmental responsibility and whether, as a consumer, they had ever decided to boycott buying a product or switch to another brand based on its environmental reputation.

Responses differ considerably among generations with 40% of Millennials saying they have avoided buying, or decided to choose a different brand over the last 12 months, compared to only 9% of Baby Boomers. However almost half (46%) of this generation of 55-65+ year-olds indicated that while they hadn’t switched or boycotted brands in the last year because of their environmental credentials, they might consider doing so in the future – the highest among all age groups.

Much needs to be done by the FMCG industry when it comes to publicising the positive work it is doing to address the environmental problems resulting from the throw-away, disposable culture we live in today, say 76% of consumers. This sentiment is high across all regions (>73%) with shoppers in the northwest of England (80%) agreeing followed by Greater London (78%). Only 9% considered this issue unimportant.

The upcoming DRS (Deposit Return Schemes) that are rapidly being introduced across the world, may force companies to become more environmentally responsible. The implementation of Reverse Vending Machines by these brands to ensure their packaging is being responsibly recycled could be a good step in improving brand perception and loyalty. 

To read more on this: https://totalsupplychainsummit.co.uk/3rd-row/75-of-shoppers-will-boycott-grocery-brands-over-environmental-concerns/