Consumer behavior is changing massively on the topic of sustainability, and most are willing to sacrifice delivery speed for a more environmentally friendly shipping solution.
According to a new report from third-party logistics company Radial, 77% of consumers would be willing to wait longer for packages shipped via sustainable shipping methods. Of those, 29% of consumers said they’d be willing to wait an extra day for their packages and 38% said they’d be willing to wait 3-5 days longer for their packages. This gives retailers significant wiggle room in delivery timing as they work to streamline last-mile delivery.
Most consumers believe online retailers should look to packaging as a main component to improving their sustainable shipping practices. To be more specific, the survey found:
Despite this growing attention from consumers, many brands are struggling to make the switch to sustainable packaging, with rising costs posing a huge barrier for many companies. This complements other research about companies struggling to balance profitability with environmental impact.
The costs may be prohibitive but the data speaks volumes: 60% of consumers associate sustainable packaging with environmentally friendly shipping. Notably, 33% prioritize eco-friendly packaging in their purchase decisions.