This report dives deep into sustainability in the retail food and drink industry, offering an expert perspective on market developments and consumer trends in 2023. Below we summarise the key areas covered and offer handpicked insights from the report.
The much-anticipated Global Outlook on Sustainability: A Consumer Study 2024-25 is now available to order. Covering 10,000 respondents from 10 leading economies, this report gives insights and inspiration on how best to position and position and prioritise your brands’ products. Download your copy today.
The most cited reason for not buying sustainable food and beverage products is their perceived expense, confirming the link between finances and sustainable choices. Those with tighter finances are less likely to be willing to pay more for sustainable products, and more likely to deprioritise them due to rising prices. In this report, our analyst provides guidance for brands on how to translate these kinds of challenges into opportunities for growth.
Consumers expect companies and retailers to do the right thing for the environment, but often feel they don’t. More than eight in 10 food and drink shoppers believe food retailers should minimise food waste and nearly as many feel big food companies prioritise profits over sustainability. Similarly, seven in 10 are sceptical of sustainability claims on some packaging, making transparency essential for brands and retailers.
Young adults take sustainability personally: they are more likely than older shoppers to believe their food choices can help protect the environment, and to be willing to pay more for sustainably-sourced foods. They also feel good about buying sustainable products. Marketers should not only tout corporate sustainability practices and goals, but also help young adults make their own sustainable choices.
Explore opportunities to strategise according to current consumer attitudes in the full report. For a wider view of sustainability in the global market, view our Global Outlook on Sustainability. Alternatively, browse our sustainability market research to find more relevant reports.
This report, written by John Owen, a leading food and retail analyst, delivers in-depth commentary and analysis to highlight current sustainability trends in retail food and drink, adding expert context to the numbers.
The incidence of sustainability claims on food and drink packaging is on the rise, and consumers say they want to make the best choices for the environment. Still, sustainable brands must also convince shoppers that their products will also meet consumers’ needs on the core factors that have always driven their food and drink choices.
John Owen
Associate Director, Food and Retail
Mintel is the world’s leading market intelligence agency. We show you how consumers think today and tomorrow. As a trusted partner to industry leaders, we deliver game-changing insights to businesses across the globe, fuelling their marketing and innovation strategies that will shape the future.
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