GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sustainability In The Grocery Industry Statistics

Consumers favor eco-friendly brands; grocery industry adopts sustainable practices massively.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

78% of consumers prefer to buy from brands that demonstrate environmental responsibility

Statistic 2

85% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products

Statistic 3

65% of consumers say sustainability influences their shopping decisions

Statistic 4

48% of consumers actively seek out products with eco-labels or sustainability certifications

Statistic 5

65% of consumers believe brands should play a role in reducing climate change

Statistic 6

45% of consumers are more likely to shop at stores with sustainable practices

Statistic 7

70% of consumers are more likely to purchase from a grocery brand that offers packaging made from recycled materials

Statistic 8

90% of grocery stores have increased transparency around their sustainability efforts in recent years

Statistic 9

55% of consumers are more loyal to brands that demonstrate environmental sustainability

Statistic 10

65% of consumers support policies that promote sustainable farming and animal welfare

Statistic 11

55% of consumers believe reducing food packaging waste is important for sustainability

Statistic 12

45% of consumers have switched to brands that support environmental causes in the past year

Statistic 13

65% of shoppers say they prefer stores with visible sustainability practices

Statistic 14

60% of consumers are actively seeking out locally sourced products for sustainability reasons

Statistic 15

50% of consumers say that sustainability is a key factor in their online grocery shopping decisions

Statistic 16

73% of consumers want to see more transparency about the environmental impact of the products they buy

Statistic 17

60% of grocery retailers have implemented plastic reduction initiatives

Statistic 18

55% of grocery chains report adopting renewable energy sources in stores

Statistic 19

58% of grocery stores report increasing their investment in local sourcing to reduce carbon emissions

Statistic 20

52% of grocery chains have committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2025

Statistic 21

Retailers who adopt sustainable supply chain practices experience on average 15% lower operating costs

Statistic 22

35% of grocery chains have partnered with local farmers to reduce transportation emissions

Statistic 23

Climate-smart agriculture practices are adopted by 40% of grocery suppliers to reduce environmental impact

Statistic 24

Sustainable sourcing policies have increased by 25% among major grocery brands since 2020

Statistic 25

50% of grocery stores have invested in green building certifications for new stores

Statistic 26

The average grocery store reduces its energy consumption by 15% through efficiency measures

Statistic 27

75% of grocery retailers have set measurable sustainability goals for the next five years

Statistic 28

70% of grocery chains are investing in renewable energy projects like solar and wind farms on their properties

Statistic 29

78% of grocery retailers plan to expand their sustainability initiatives in the next three years

Statistic 30

35% of grocery companies have joined industry sustainability alliances to collaborate on environmental efforts

Statistic 31

55% of grocery chains have implemented composting programs to reduce organic waste

Statistic 32

42% of grocery store waste is plastic packaging

Statistic 33

The carbon footprint of groceries can be reduced by up to 30% through optimized logistics and supply chain practices

Statistic 34

Approximately 25% of grocery stores have implemented waste-to-energy programs

Statistic 35

Reusable shopping bags can cut plastic bag usage by up to 80%

Statistic 36

70% of grocery retailers aim to achieve zero waste to landfill by 2030

Statistic 37

The global grocery sector's water consumption can be reduced by 20% through improved efficiency

Statistic 38

The adoption of LED lighting in grocery stores can decrease energy consumption by 40%

Statistic 39

Food waste accounts for approximately 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions

Statistic 40

Only 20% of grocery packaging is fully recyclable, indicating a significant opportunity for improvement

Statistic 41

68% of grocery stores have implemented water-saving systems, such as low-flow fixtures, in their facilities

Statistic 42

40% of grocery packaging waste could be eliminated with better design and recycling

Statistic 43

The adoption of vertical farming for some grocery supply chains has increased 50% since 2020, decreasing transportation emissions

Statistic 44

The global organic food market is projected to reach $272.18 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 12.5%

Statistic 45

The use of biodegradable packaging in grocery stores increased by 35% between 2020 and 2023

Statistic 46

Organic produce sales grew by 9.6% globally in 2022, highlighting increasing consumer demand for sustainability

Statistic 47

80% of grocery chains are exploring or implementing plant-based product lines as part of their sustainability initiatives

Statistic 48

48% of grocery products now feature eco-friendly labels, up from 30% in 2020

Statistic 49

63% of grocery retailers expect to increase sustainable product offerings in the next two years

Statistic 50

The adoption of smart technology in grocery stores helps reduce energy use by 25%

Statistic 51

The use of digital tools for supply chain tracking in grocery retail increased by 60% between 2020 and 2023

Statistic 52

80% of grocery stores employ energy-efficient refrigeration systems, reducing energy consumption by approximately 25%

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Key Highlights

78% of consumers prefer to buy from brands that demonstrate environmental responsibility
The global organic food market is projected to reach $272.18 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 12.5%
60% of grocery retailers have implemented plastic reduction initiatives
85% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products
42% of grocery store waste is plastic packaging
65% of consumers say sustainability influences their shopping decisions
The use of biodegradable packaging in grocery stores increased by 35% between 2020 and 2023
55% of grocery chains report adopting renewable energy sources in stores
48% of consumers actively seek out products with eco-labels or sustainability certifications
The carbon footprint of groceries can be reduced by up to 30% through optimized logistics and supply chain practices
Approximately 25% of grocery stores have implemented waste-to-energy programs
Reusable shopping bags can cut plastic bag usage by up to 80%
70% of grocery retailers aim to achieve zero waste to landfill by 2030

As consumers increasingly prioritize environmental responsibility, the grocery industry is rapidly transforming—with 78% of shoppers favoring eco-conscious brands and a booming organic food market projected to reach over $272 billion by 2027—highlighting a compelling shift toward sustainability that is reshaping how we shop and how stores operate.

Consumer Preferences and Attitudes Towards Sustainability

78% of consumers prefer to buy from brands that demonstrate environmental responsibility
85% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products
65% of consumers say sustainability influences their shopping decisions
48% of consumers actively seek out products with eco-labels or sustainability certifications
65% of consumers believe brands should play a role in reducing climate change
45% of consumers are more likely to shop at stores with sustainable practices
70% of consumers are more likely to purchase from a grocery brand that offers packaging made from recycled materials
90% of grocery stores have increased transparency around their sustainability efforts in recent years
55% of consumers are more loyal to brands that demonstrate environmental sustainability
65% of consumers support policies that promote sustainable farming and animal welfare
55% of consumers believe reducing food packaging waste is important for sustainability
45% of consumers have switched to brands that support environmental causes in the past year
65% of shoppers say they prefer stores with visible sustainability practices
60% of consumers are actively seeking out locally sourced products for sustainability reasons
50% of consumers say that sustainability is a key factor in their online grocery shopping decisions
73% of consumers want to see more transparency about the environmental impact of the products they buy

Consumer Preferences and Attitudes Towards Sustainability Interpretation

With nearly three-quarters of consumers demanding transparency and significantly more willing to pay a premium for sustainable products, the grocery industry’s transition from greenwashing to genuine eco-responsibility isn't just ethical—it's economic survival.

Corporate Sustainability Initiatives and Policies

60% of grocery retailers have implemented plastic reduction initiatives
55% of grocery chains report adopting renewable energy sources in stores
58% of grocery stores report increasing their investment in local sourcing to reduce carbon emissions
52% of grocery chains have committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2025
Retailers who adopt sustainable supply chain practices experience on average 15% lower operating costs
35% of grocery chains have partnered with local farmers to reduce transportation emissions
Climate-smart agriculture practices are adopted by 40% of grocery suppliers to reduce environmental impact
Sustainable sourcing policies have increased by 25% among major grocery brands since 2020
50% of grocery stores have invested in green building certifications for new stores
The average grocery store reduces its energy consumption by 15% through efficiency measures
75% of grocery retailers have set measurable sustainability goals for the next five years
70% of grocery chains are investing in renewable energy projects like solar and wind farms on their properties
78% of grocery retailers plan to expand their sustainability initiatives in the next three years
35% of grocery companies have joined industry sustainability alliances to collaborate on environmental efforts
55% of grocery chains have implemented composting programs to reduce organic waste

Corporate Sustainability Initiatives and Policies Interpretation

While over half of grocery retailers are embracing renewable energy and local sourcing to cut emissions—and a substantial 75% have clear sustainability goals—the irony remains that only 35% are partnering with farmers or joining alliances, revealing there's still plenty of room for the industry to turn sustainability from trend to tradition in their supply chains and community collaborations.

Environmental Impact and Waste Reduction Strategies

42% of grocery store waste is plastic packaging
The carbon footprint of groceries can be reduced by up to 30% through optimized logistics and supply chain practices
Approximately 25% of grocery stores have implemented waste-to-energy programs
Reusable shopping bags can cut plastic bag usage by up to 80%
70% of grocery retailers aim to achieve zero waste to landfill by 2030
The global grocery sector's water consumption can be reduced by 20% through improved efficiency
The adoption of LED lighting in grocery stores can decrease energy consumption by 40%
Food waste accounts for approximately 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions
Only 20% of grocery packaging is fully recyclable, indicating a significant opportunity for improvement
68% of grocery stores have implemented water-saving systems, such as low-flow fixtures, in their facilities
40% of grocery packaging waste could be eliminated with better design and recycling
The adoption of vertical farming for some grocery supply chains has increased 50% since 2020, decreasing transportation emissions

Environmental Impact and Waste Reduction Strategies Interpretation

With nearly half of grocery store waste stemming from plastic packaging and only one-fifth of it being fully recyclable, the industry stands at a crossroads: embracing innovative, energy-efficient, and waste-reducing practices like reusable bags, LED lighting, and vertical farming isn't just eco-friendly—it's essential for securing a sustainable future and reducing its staggering 8-10% contribution to global greenhouse gases.

Market Trends and Growth in Organic and Sustainable Products

The global organic food market is projected to reach $272.18 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 12.5%
The use of biodegradable packaging in grocery stores increased by 35% between 2020 and 2023
Organic produce sales grew by 9.6% globally in 2022, highlighting increasing consumer demand for sustainability
80% of grocery chains are exploring or implementing plant-based product lines as part of their sustainability initiatives
48% of grocery products now feature eco-friendly labels, up from 30% in 2020
63% of grocery retailers expect to increase sustainable product offerings in the next two years

Market Trends and Growth in Organic and Sustainable Products Interpretation

With the organic market set to hit $272 billion by 2027 and nearly half of grocery products now flaunting eco-labels, the industry's shift toward sustainability is not just a trend but a calculated move driven by consumer demand—proving that going green is no longer optional but essential for future growth.

Technological Innovations and Infrastructure for Sustainability

The adoption of smart technology in grocery stores helps reduce energy use by 25%
The use of digital tools for supply chain tracking in grocery retail increased by 60% between 2020 and 2023
80% of grocery stores employ energy-efficient refrigeration systems, reducing energy consumption by approximately 25%

Technological Innovations and Infrastructure for Sustainability Interpretation

As grocery stores embrace smart technology and digital supply chain tools while upgrading to energy-efficient refrigeration, they’re not just slicing their energy bills by a quarter—they’re serving up a fresher, more sustainable future one aisle at a time.