More than 40 per cent of online shoppers are willing to pay extra for home delivery if this means opting for a sustainable logistics process. On average, this group of consumers is willing to pay an extra 7.60 euros for this.
This is according to research among 1,032 Dutch consumers commissioned by software provider Descartes. Consumers are also willing to make concessions when it comes to delivery time. Almost three quarters (71 per cent) of online shoppers do not mind waiting longer for a parcel, if by doing so they choose a more sustainable delivery process. On average, the delivery process may take four days longer.
"Sustainability is also urgent within logistics," responds Albert van Roekel, Director Solutions Consultancy at Descartes. "Many suppliers and manufacturers immediately think of large investments when they think of making their logistics process more sustainable. The results now show that consumers are quite willing to contribute to this by paying more and being more flexible when it comes to delivery time. Indeed, the environmental impact of their order even influences the choices customers make."
Indeed, more than half (52 per cent) of respondents would opt for an alternative product if they see that the delivery process has a major impact on the environment. Two in three (62 per cent) think producers and shops should provide more insight into where products or parts of products come from, so that they can assess the impact of their choice on Mother Nature. Van Roekel advises: "Let online shoppers choose, for example, between sustainable delivery and standard delivery. With the first option, multiple deliveries are scheduled in the same neighbourhood, reducing the environmental impact and making delivery cheaper. The research shows that consumers are ready for it, now the online retailers are."
