Executive Summary

Nearly every modern consumer has at least some concern about the environment, but the influence that worry has on shopping behavior is far more nuanced. This report gauges which sustainability features are most important to US consumers, which retailers have the most favorable sustainability perceptions, and what retailers can do to improve their sustainability efforts in the eyes of consumers.

3 KEY QUESTIONS THIS REPORT WILL ANSWER

1. How do consumers think about sustainability when deciding where to shop and what to buy?
2. What are the most important sustainability features for retailers to offer, both in-store and online?
3. How satisfied are consumers with the sustainability efforts of 10 leading retailers?

WHAT’S IN THIS REPORT? An analysis of the sustainability features consumers look for when shopping at general merchandise retailers. Also, a ranking of 10 retailers based on perceptions of their sustainability efforts.

KEY STAT: The most popular sustainability feature is a selection of products free of harmful or synthetic materials with 24% of respondents considering it “extremely important” when choosing a general merchandise retailer.