With more people focusing on the environment and what they can do to reduce their carbon footprint, retailers have to adapt. Sustainable practices are being increasingly sought after by Canadian consumers, and this has resulted in businesses and retailers making necessary changes to their business models. So, how are retailers adapting?
Reducing the carbon footprint
One major way that retailers are trying to offer more sustainable shopping options is through their delivery services. For some, this means increasing the price of smaller deliveries to discourage shoppers from making multiple small purchases and deliveries. Instead, larger, combined or slower deliveries are cheaper or even free, encouraging shoppers to opt for these environmentally friendly options. These days, Canadians are willing to pay higher prices if they know that sustainability is at the heart of the cost.
Additionally, many Canadian retailers have opted for even more drastic changes to their deliveries. And this is in the form of green transport, where bicycle deliveries are used where possible, or hybrid or electric transportation to ensure that more eco-friendly transportation methods are implemented.
Eco-friendly packaging
In addition to environment-saving transport changes, retailers in Canada are changing the way they package their products. This means using biodegradable and recyclable packaging, for starters. This is becoming more commonplace, indicating this shift is well underway. Additionally, many retailers are using reusable storage solutions, such as renting reusable plastic bins rather than single-use cardboard boxes. Increasingly, companies are opting for more efficient shipping routes and methods, too, which has saved costs for everyone.
Partnerships for sustainability
Furthermore, many businesses and retailers are now partnering up to adopt green manufacturing processes. As Canadians are increasingly ready to pay higher prices for premium, sustainable products, this has necessitated more partnerships. This allows retailers to actually provide many of the eco-friendly services and choices already outlined. Businesses are able to select eco-friendly or sustainable suppliers, thus meeting the needs of the customer base.
Other options include the move to online shopping platforms. Without having a physical location, retailers can remove the need for utility bills and costs, further reducing their impact on the environment. Casinos did this some time ago, offering online casinos rather than land-based ones. This has the dual benefit of also meaning the customers do not need to travel. Instead, players can simply sit at home, connect to the internet, and begin playing. Options like the Casino Days mobile app for Ontario players have also made casinos far more accessible to the masses, another benefit to this type of operation.
Everybody wins
With these types of practices increasingly implemented throughout the retail sector, it’s noticeable that this isn’t just the only sector to benefit. Wide-reaching benefits are seen, too. This is because studies have shown that consumers are drawn to companies that put sustainability as a priority. By implementing these sustainable practices, the companies themselves see huge benefits, including cost savings through increased energy efficiency and a reduction in the waste produced. A reduction in the bottom line for companies means that there is a healthier economy, which means life is better for everyone.
Additionally, there is a reduction in pollution, better resource conservation and so on. As such, there are major ripple effects, spreading out far beyond just the retail sector. Of course, it’s important that this is a long-term trend and not just a fad. A committed shift to sustainable practices is a must if positive change is to occur. Such initiatives need to be lauded and supported, encouraging other businesses and sectors to follow suit for a better world.