The rise of sustainable business practices: a new trend in retail

Sustainable business practices have become an important factor in consumer choice. Recent surveys show that up to 85% of consumers prefer to support environmentally friendly companies.

In the post-pandemic era, global awareness of business sustainability has increased significantly. Not only are consumers aware of their environmental responsibilities, they also expect the companies they work with to demonstrate the same awareness.

So, is the pandemic the only reason for this shift? What other changes are there that many companies are unaware of?

Here are some insights into the rise of sustainability in retail and how to stay relevant in an increasingly environmentally conscious environment.

Prioritizing sustainability in retail

Physical stores have not been hit hard, but online commerce is becoming the future. Convenience is still the key factor influencing consumer habits, while environmental awareness is also on the rise.

The pandemic has made people aware of the crisis facing the planet. As some large companies experience shortages of goods, more and more people are beginning to value local and environmentally friendly businesses.

According to a September 2021 study, consumers’ views on retail and sustainability have changed in the post-pandemic era:

52% of people said they are more concerned about environmental protection than they were six months ago.

51% of people consider the production, origin and transparency of a product before purchasing it.

Today, environmental practices are no longer just lip service, but an important business strategy that not only helps the environment but also helps brands stand out among a new generation of consumers.

The bridge between business sustainability and success

Although the lines between retail and sustainability have blurred, there is still a need to bridge the gap between consumers and sellers. To achieve a win-win situation, environmentally friendly companies should pay attention to the following suggestions.

Embrace the zero-waste concept

More and more environmentally friendly companies are committed to achieving zero waste goals. This has become the new standard in business. Businesses also provide employee training to ensure this goal is achieved.

Small changes can have significant results over time.

Achieve paperless office and reduce printing waste

Most modern enterprises have the IT infrastructure to support paperless business. A paperless office not only protects the planet, but also leaves a good impression on your customers. It brings multiple benefits:

Reduce costs

Improve security and reduce the risk of losing confidential files

Easy access to important files

Increase productivity and save time

Data retention through backup

U.S. offices use more than 12 trillion pieces of paper every year, and this small change will greatly improve business sustainability.

Promote remote working

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged businesses, but at the same time, they have remained operational. The global carbon footprint has dropped significantly as we adapted to working from home. Hybrid office models become the norm, reducing the use of office supplies and thus waste generation.

A sustainable future for retail

Green businesses are combining sustainability with innovation and efficiency. This creates trust and a growing future for the planet and our customers.

How Arrow Translation can help you

If you're looking for an environmentally friendly and customer-friendly retail solution, or need digitization, localization or translation services, Arrow Translation can assist you. We have over 10,000 native speaking experts supporting over 170 languages. To discuss sustainability and global marketing initiatives, please feel free to get in touch.

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