As tougher economic times start to bit , Chris Fiander , Marketing Manager at the Westpak Group in the United Kingdom , explores if havingmore environmentally sustainable product and packagingwill still bea major priority for consumers and retail merchant .
" consumer and line of work alike are in the middle of a storm of economic challenges with spiralling energy costs , increase business production costs , weaken consumer spending and soar up inflation all taking their toll . This economical backdrop raises key questions for sustainable pattern in the food & promotion diligence and the broader consumer mindset . Will more environmentally sustainable products and packaging ( often available at a eminent financial price over traditional , less sustainable material and unconscious process ) keep on to be a major precedency for consumers ? Are sustainable mathematical product and promotional material characteristics only able-bodied to in truth fly high against a backcloth of economical airiness , strong consumer spending and mellow disposable income ?
The grocery retail diligence has take so many fantastic steps forward in late years with compliments to sustainable packaging including immense investment funds in recycling substructure , massive decrease in the use of plastic , introducing various refillable product ranges , allegiance to challenging carbon reduction targets and so on . Alongside this , the consumer mindset has become increasingly accustomed to food both produced and demonstrate more sustainably . As such , sustainable food packaging has become less of a novelty and more of a lasting consumer expectation . From all angles , the market will be very reluctant to double back on such advancements purely as a cost - saving measure .
Supermarkets will also be acutely aware of the praseodymium risk of exposure call for in downgrade the sustainability of their product ranges . In such a competitive retail environment , retailers will want to show that their enhanced packaging sustainability and wide-eyed environmental credentials are echt . Holding business firm on these commitments during the current economical climate will facilitate drive away any cynical former accusation of greenwashing from manufacture commentator .
In add-on , while retailers have no doubt made huge melioration in promotion sustainability , existing spacious product ranges continue to feature more sustainable product alongside chintzy choice . As such , affordably - sourced items remain uncommitted without necessarily needing to double back on sustainable onward motion elsewhere in other products ranges . Similarly , while large department of the economy are under dangerous fiscal force per unit area , others will proceed with impregnable ratio of disposable income and will expect to continue buy the more sustainably packaged detail they have become accustomed to .
It is also deserving considering that the cost gaps between sustainably - driven packaging and flashy alternatives ( inexpensively - produced plastics for example ) may not be as noticeable as they once were . As environmentally - driven lawmaking such as the fictile revenue enhancement go on to take effect , unsustainable packaging textile will become progressively unattractive to retailers and promotional material buyers .
The overarching challenge that foodstuff retailers nerve is a balancing deed . Businesses need to ensure that nutrient and invigorated green groceries remain low-priced for a population enduring fabulously challenging times with regard to their personal finances . However , they also want to continue embracing sustainable advancements in packaging as well as wider business process and processes . This is a challenge that unites the grocery industriousness and one that should be encompass rather than shy - off from .
As is so often the case , innovation will no - doubt provide the means by which retailers can mix these two essential attributes . Whether it ’s the latest technology extending the ledge - life of sustainably box intellectual nourishment , publicity manufacturing innovations that drive efficiency savings in logistic and conveyance process or flowing packaging designs that can boil down stuff costs and usage , the industriousness will have legion domain in which to satisfy these various consumer pauperism . The retailer that are capable to at the same time boost consumer time value while enhancing sustainability may well position themselves to achieve long - standing customer loyalty thereafter . "
This feeling piece was submitted by Chris Fiander , Marketing Manager , Westpak Group Ltd.
For more data visitwww.westpakuk.com
