Sustainability Remains Priority Despite Inflation

Parcel shipping has endured more change in the last three years than in the last three decades combined. What’s more is, according to a recent Sifted survey, consumer awareness regarding the environmental impact of parcel shipping was quite high.

Yet, most considered sustainable practices a crucial factor when making online purchase decisions.

And, most consumers desired an “eco-friendly shipping” option at checkout.

In fact, inflation has made consumers more price-sensitive than in 2021, resulting in a decline in their prioritization of sustainability.

From Sifted:

• “Price” was voted the most important factor. It was the sole factor in the survey that over half of the respondents (51.6%) rated as “very important,” which increased from 48.8% in 2021. Meanwhile, those rating it as “not important” declined from 8% in 2021 to 2.4% in 2023.
• Those who ranked brand name as “very important” saw a dramatic drop from 27.6% in 2021 to only 10.2% in 2023.
• In 2021, 87.6% of consumers considered sustainability at least “somewhat important” when buying online. In 2023, that number has only dipped to 86.4%. Despite the price sensitivity increase, sustainability remains a priority for many.
• 72% believe the amount of packaging materials used in a shipment has a “moderate” or “high” impact on sustainability, and 70.4% believe the type of packaging material used has a “moderate” or “high” impact.