Research from Monash Business School’s Australian Consumer and Retail Studies latest Retail Sustainability Spotlight has found that over half of Aussie shoppers say sustainability is an important factor when making a retail purchase.
Despite the increases to our cost of living, the research confirms Australian shoppers are becoming more conscious of what they buy; voting for sustainable products, with their wallets.
“Younger consumers,18 to 34 years of age, are significantly more willing to pay for ethically produced products, as well as products made from recycled materials and packaged in recyclable materials.”
“They also take public transport, buy second-hand products, and recommend eco-friendly products to friends, family and peers more than other age groups.”
“Older Australian shoppers, aged 55 and over, tend to bring their own shopping bags to stores, recycle product waste, buy locally sourced or produced products, and compost food waste significantly more than other age groups.”
Sadly I feel this is a little like Twitter and Reddit users saying they’re going to leave the platform, then when push comes to shove just rolling over and grabbing another bag of Doritos.
At the end of the day people have to live, if the sustainable option is too expensive people will buy what they can afford. That’s not really their fault.
I agree. Which is why government regulation is the answer. Out governments should set the bar, not push the responsibility back on to the consumer.
I wonder if that would go in Australia or we’d get American style libertarian bs.
Possibly. It’s true for me though. I buy less and spend more the things I do buy. Works out the same and I no longer suffer from that choice paralysis thing where there are too many competing options.
As long as it’s a limited edition.