2022 eCommerce Keyword: eco-friendly

In recent years, more and more consumers have expressed their willingness to support sustainability and eco friendly in practical ways. They buy eco-friendly products and give eco-friendly gifts. 78% of consumers surveyed say they want online shops to do their part for the environment. At the same time, inflation has made consumers increasingly concerned about costs. 72% of respondents said they have had to save money due to inflation. As environmental protection becomes an obstacle to consumer downgrading, how will consumers make the choice? Competitive pricing and a commitment to sustainability and eco friendly are proving to be important factors in shaping consumer decisions.

Eco-friendly trends

Eco-friendly products: beauty products

Consumers’ interest in the sustainability of beauty products stems from the strong trend toward personal care and wellness following the outbreak. Even though consumers have cut back on insignificant spending in other areas, 62% of consumers still report a higher interest in personal care and wellness compared to the pre-outbreak period. The eco-friendly beauty and personal care products industry has reported revenue growth of 325% and unit sales growth of 317% over the past 90 days of the year.

Natural, sustainable, and non-irritating cosmetic products continue to be highly sought after by consumers.

Sales of reusable makeup remover pads like the one pictured above have grown by 4395% in the last 6 months.

Eco-friendly products: Reusable household and personal care products

Sales of this 6-pack of children’s bamboo toothbrushes increased by 758% in 6 months.

Another way for consumers to adjust their spending to achieve sustainability is to choose more environmentally friendly cleaning products.

Sales of this cruelty-free, biodegradable laundry detergent have increased by 780% in three months.

Eco-friendly products: Reusable kitchenware

Reusable kitchen items are seeing a surge in demand, with searches for reusable snack bags increasing by 321% and reusable kitchen paper by 136% in the last 90 days.

Sales of reusable bamboo paper towels have increased by more than 46,000% over the past three months. Consumer shopping trends reflect efforts from society to individuals to reduce plastic usage, with overall unit sales of reusable drinking straws up by 297% since January this year.

Sales of reusable straws also jumped by 1,492% in the last six months.

Second-hand products

For consumers on a budget, buying second-hand products is a way to reduce waste and save money. More than 1 in 3 consumers will buy second-hand products. The second-hand market is currently growing 11 times faster than the traditional retail market. According to Jungle Scout Cobalt, several sellers across product categories have joined the Renewed program.

Sales of this renewed KitchenAid cooker have increased by over 2500% in the last 30 days.

The renewed Bluetooth speaker, pictured above, made 100% from recycled plastic, has seen unit sales and sales jump by almost 400% in the last 30 days.

6 ways to practice the concept of sustainability and eco-friendly

Nearly 60% of consumers say they prefer to buy eco-friendly products even when they are struggling with limited spending. The following practices can be used as a reference for online shoppers.

Eco-friendly packaging

Reduce unnecessary plastic and redundant materials in packaging, for example by replacing plastic bags with paper, and developing packaging that meets certification standards.

Emphasis on eco-friendly features in product descriptions

Sustainability encompasses a wide range of features, including the use of recycled materials, natural ingredients, no additives, recyclable materials, and more. Eco-conscious consumers will not only pay attention to product descriptions and bullet points linked to the environment but will also use these details to search for products.

Communicating eco-friendly ideas in the right way

Product descriptions need to meet certain conditions before using words such as “eco-friendly” and “biodegradable”. So sellers need to know the requirements in advance.

Working with suppliers who also insist on eco-friendly

The sustainability concept is very much tied to the supply side. And another way to ensure that product descriptions are lived is to work with formal, reputable suppliers.

Offer second-hand products

Your shop can be turned into a trusted platform for second-hand trading, and if you have refurbished products on hand, it would be great to stock this product.

Competitive prices and discounts available

With nearly half of consumers saying they only buy discounted products; sellers need to rework their pricing strategies to use discounts to incentivize consumers. For a growing number of consumers, brand loyalty is inextricably linked to environmental responsibility. Consumers today will save money through every possible avenue to accommodate product price increases. Products that are both environmentally friendly and affordable will be a big selling point and help to cement consumer loyalty.