Young consumers these days are pushing for sustainable products in the market; more people are allegedly interested in what's referred to as ethical consumption; opting for items that might provide some environmental or social benefit.
This sort of consumerism is based upon the premise of voting with your dollars and there are a variety of considerations that people make when deciding on what to buy, such as concerns for toxins, pollution, human rights, animal rights and so on.
Not only do many consumers today want to know exactly where their food and other items are coming from but we've also seen a tremendous growth in support for companies that have some sort of business message that indicates they give back to the community in some way. And though it might be the intention of many to try and strive for products and services that meet these unique interests of theirs, many will find that they cannot always trust the label and the claims that some more ethically-minded companies claim to make.
When it comes to the sorts of products that are considered to fall under this category, it includes things like free-range eggs, vegan body care and hair care products, organic items, free-range or grass-fed beef, and much more. In the UK alone, this section of the market, has seen growth of more than £40bn in the past decade. It's estimated that households in the UK have spent around £1,263 or more on ethical goods in the last year alone.
Adapting To The Trend...
Other well-known companies like McDonald's, Google, Dell, S.C. Johnson, and others, have alleged that they are committed to helping the cause by intending to curb waste, trying to operate in a more energy-efficient manner, and so on.
More companies today are also opting for sustainable packaging options, a market expected to reach more than $300 billion globally by 2020.
And despite some concerns that people wouldn't be willing to pay extra for free-range or grass-fed and other 'premium' products, that people would have to trade concerns of sustainability etc for economic growth, that doesn't seem to be the case.
From coffee and toilet paper, to groceries, hair care products, bed sheets, and clothing, people have shown that they are willing to vote with their dollars.
Sources:
https://blog.euromonitor.com/2017/03/ethical-economy-consumer-goods-industry.html
http://www.economist.com/node/10491144
https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/motivates-consumers-environmental-ethical-decisions
https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/sustainable-packaging.asp
https://www.ft.com/content/8b08bf4c-e5a0-11e7-8b99-0191e45377ec
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2001/feb/22/ethicalmoney1
https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/top-companies-that-are-going-green-2017.php
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/steven-cohen/sustainability-by-the-num_b_2158104.html
https://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2017/05/19/how-pepsico-is-transforming-itself-into-a-healthier-company/#7190fc563890
http://fortune.com/2017/11/15/butterball-launches-organic-turkey/
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https://steemit.com/farming/@doitvoluntarily/a-new-tool-that-might-help-farmers-save-their-crops
The rise of whole foods is a signal that people are willing to pay a premium for higher quality, more ethical food.
In Denver, a big millennial hub, most groceries stores are moving towards the whole foods model. Sprouts, Natural Grocers, and Trader Joes are hugely popular.
Places like Safeway and Walmart are losing big time in this area, and it's a great thing to see.
The next step is towards purchasing from producers themselves, which is what I intend to do with my beef.
Isn't it funny how we call it 'premium for higher quality more ethical food'?
It is the only normal and right food. We've been paying too little for too many products that in the end harm us for too long. Happy to see we're starting to come to our senses.
Merry everything!
This is a good trend. Proper nutrition is the key to longevity and health. For many decades we absorbs fast food and sweets, and saw poor results. Various diseases began to appear in many people. I am very glad that now the trend is right and organic food. It is no less delicious than the usual snacks. But the benefits of these products is obvious. I hope someday in stores such products will replace all of the obviously harmful foods.
Blockchain technology could play a huge roll in administrating the different phases of a product from cradle to consumer. In The Netherlands an egg producer started experimenting with it. Consumers can check online what food the chicken ate, which company provides the energy for the farm, who transports the egg to the supermarket and every other step in between... I say: blockchain is here to help us :)
Thanks for sharing a superb information friend @doitvoluntarily
We should always pay attention to the suggestions of young consumers, producers and investors. They are our future, and their recommendation is gold. Thank you for the matter.
Everything is a market trick to make more money.
I still am in between on that things like eggs and vegetables I'm picky about I want organize and free range and I love my hemp products pretty soon I guess everyone will be going that way because for the most part we do want to know where these things come from, great article my friend! Merry Christmas!❤️
I wish you a wonderful dayGood thing that this is happening dear friend @doitvoluntarily, more and more people who are dedicated to buy these products, is a good way to contribute to our bodies and the care of our planet. excellent information dear friend
please have a look to my work dear ,,food is a ingredient that binds us together, nice sharing @doitvoluntarily
I hope you will continue to write thanks for this post
You know what if it weren't for the young this world would be a shithole. The young bring us joy, energy, renewal, life. They keep us honest, grounded, ethical, real. Thank goodness for the young.
This is a vote i can get behind! We have to teach the younger generation, though, that whole, clean foods shouldnt just be more expensive. They should be the only kind of food!
Very informative and enlightening post. I myself is a nutrition student and believes that healthy and substantial diet is not only important for physical health but also mental health. Moreover, health is not only restricted to diet but the products that we use and breathe in matters too. Its great that people are more aware now which hopefully will lead us to a healthy future.
This is a great trend IMO. As a society we eat so much processed and fast food now its really a shame, because we are only hurting ourselves at the profit of big business.
I live in Australia, and its pretty clear most processed food manufacturers do not care about the health and well-being of their consumers.
What I find really appalling is the "health star" rating that was introduced here in Aus. It started as a pure idea, with intentions to make it easier for consumers to make healthier choices... but it was soon hijacked and deformed, and I regularly see super sugary and processed cereals getting 4/5 star rating.... like how!!!
I don't know if its legit, but I read somewhere that the whole processed food industry was pumped by the world war, and when the war concluded, the processed food industry really took off as the owners of these businesses needed a market to plug their now unutilised goods.
Another potentialy true/un-true factoid is that the population in Australia as a whole was healthier during the war efforts, due to rationing, as the meals were designed to keep the populous healthy at a minimal cost so that we could fuel the war engine :(
Great post @doitvoluntarily , I always find ur post thought provoking.
Even out here in South Korea I've seen beauty products made from rice water...
that's another indication that free market solutions are the best and will surpass (not that that would be hard!) any government enforced solutions (if anything the government enforces can be called a solution!)
At this time, as it is a new tag I am looking in in other channels. In the future you should post with the livesustainably tag so that you can get upvotes and curation from me. To find out more see my introductory post.Your post has been discovered by @livesustainably I manage the#livesustainably tag. @Livesustainably promotes and curates content that encourages and educates others in living sustainably.
Well I think this is a great thing that the companies are following the trends and trying to create products which could be potentially more healthy/safe for the people.This is surely another step to a better planet for everything.
Thank you for the information shared = )
Boycott monsanto.