GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sustainability In The Merchant Industry Statistics

Sustainability boosts profits, reduces costs, and meets consumer eco expectations.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Over 60% of consumers prefer to buy from brands with sustainable practices

Statistic 2

70% of merchants see consumer demand for eco-friendly products as a key driver for sustainable initiatives

Statistic 3

Approximately 80% of merchants believe that sustainability leads to improved brand loyalty

Statistic 4

45% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products

Statistic 5

According to surveys, 65% of consumers are more likely to purchase from retailers that demonstrate sustainability transparency

Statistic 6

45% of consumers say their purchasing decisions are influenced by a company’s sustainability performance

Statistic 7

Consumer willingness to patronize sustainable merchants is forecasted to increase by 12% annually to 2030

Statistic 8

Retailers implementing sustainability reporting see a 25% higher customer trust score

Statistic 9

Over 80% of consumers want brands to be transparent about their sustainability practices

Statistic 10

The industry-wide shift to sustainable products has resulted in a 15% revenue boost for early adopters

Statistic 11

Digital and contactless payment methods are reducing paper and coin usage in merchant transactions by 35-40%

Statistic 12

The adoption of energy-efficient lighting in merchant stores can reduce energy consumption by up to 30%

Statistic 13

Around 35% of merchant companies report a reduction in energy costs after implementing sustainability measures

Statistic 14

Implementing LED lighting across merchant outlets can reduce energy use by up to 75%

Statistic 15

Solar panels installed on merchant rooftops can generate enough power to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 1.2 tons per year per panel

Statistic 16

The energy consumption of merchant physical stores accounts for approximately 60% of their total greenhouse gas emissions

Statistic 17

Implementing green building standards in new retail stores can lower energy use by up to 40%

Statistic 18

Adoption of energy-saving HVAC systems in merchant spaces can reduce energy use by approximately 15-20%

Statistic 19

Replacing traditional lighting with smart lighting controls in stores can cut lighting energy use by 20-30%

Statistic 20

The global merchant industry accounts for approximately 2-3% of total greenhouse gas emissions annually

Statistic 21

Sustainable packaging reduces plastic waste by 20% in the merchant industry

Statistic 22

The carbon footprint of typical merchant supply chains can be reduced by optimizing transportation logistics

Statistic 23

E-commerce merchants face a 30% higher packaging waste on average compared to brick-and-mortar stores

Statistic 24

34% of merchants have eliminated single-use plastics from their stores or supply chain

Statistic 25

The use of biodegradable packaging materials is projected to grow by 18% annually in the merchant industry

Statistic 26

The merchant industry’s water footprint can be reduced by 20-25% through improved supply chain management

Statistic 27

The global market for sustainable packaging in retail is expected to reach $20 billion by 2025

Statistic 28

The use of sustainable transportation options reduces merchant supply chain emissions by an estimated 18%

Statistic 29

The integration of sustainability metrics into supply chain management systems is projected to grow by 44% over the next five years

Statistic 30

Approximately 50% of merchants have implemented at least one sustainability initiative in their operations

Statistic 31

The use of renewable energy sources in merchant operations has increased by 25% over the past five years

Statistic 32

Eco-friendly supply chain management can decrease operational costs by up to 15%

Statistic 33

The merchant industry’s water usage can be reduced by implementing water-saving technologies

Statistic 34

Moving to digital receipts can reduce paper waste in the merchant industry by over 50%

Statistic 35

40% of merchants have set measurable sustainability targets for the next five years

Statistic 36

55% of merchant companies consider sustainability reporting as essential for future growth

Statistic 37

Merchants who participate in recycling programs report a 10-15% reduction in waste management costs

Statistic 38

The adoption of electric delivery vehicles by merchants can reduce carbon emissions by over 60%

Statistic 39

25% of merchant chains have integrated sustainability into their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs

Statistic 40

Sustainable sourcing policies in the merchant industry have increased by 40% in the past decade

Statistic 41

Transitioning to digital inventory systems can reduce paper use by over 50%, contributing to sustainability goals

Statistic 42

30% of merchant companies have reported increased operational efficiency after adopting sustainable practices

Statistic 43

The average merchant industry waste diversion rate has increased to 45% with sustainability initiatives

Statistic 44

50% of merchants are exploring circular economy models to extend product lifecycle and reduce waste

Statistic 45

Investment in sustainable infrastructure in the merchant industry has grown by 22% annually over the last three years

Statistic 46

Approximately 80% of merchant brands report that sustainability improves employee engagement and retention

Statistic 47

Over 70% of merchants participate in some form of carbon offsetting to neutralize their emissions

Statistic 48

65% of merchant companies include sustainability goals in executive compensation plans

Statistic 49

38% of merchant brands have achieved at least one formal sustainability certification

Statistic 50

Nearly 45% of merchant businesses are planning to increase investments in green technologies within the next two years

Statistic 51

Approximately 55% of merchant stores now feature eco-friendly signage and displays

Statistic 52

The global merchant industry’s renewable energy investments have surpassed $600 million as of 2023

Slide 1 of 52

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

The global merchant industry accounts for approximately 2-3% of total greenhouse gas emissions annually
Over 60% of consumers prefer to buy from brands with sustainable practices
Approximately 50% of merchants have implemented at least one sustainability initiative in their operations
The adoption of energy-efficient lighting in merchant stores can reduce energy consumption by up to 30%
Sustainable packaging reduces plastic waste by 20% in the merchant industry
70% of merchants see consumer demand for eco-friendly products as a key driver for sustainable initiatives
The use of renewable energy sources in merchant operations has increased by 25% over the past five years
Eco-friendly supply chain management can decrease operational costs by up to 15%
Approximately 80% of merchants believe that sustainability leads to improved brand loyalty
Around 35% of merchant companies report a reduction in energy costs after implementing sustainability measures
45% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products
The merchant industry’s water usage can be reduced by implementing water-saving technologies
Moving to digital receipts can reduce paper waste in the merchant industry by over 50%

Did you know that while the merchant industry contributes only 2-3% of global greenhouse gases, over 60% of consumers now prefer sustainable brands, prompting a remarkable shift towards eco-friendly practices that are transforming retail operations worldwide?

Consumer Preferences and Behaviors

Over 60% of consumers prefer to buy from brands with sustainable practices
70% of merchants see consumer demand for eco-friendly products as a key driver for sustainable initiatives
Approximately 80% of merchants believe that sustainability leads to improved brand loyalty
45% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products
According to surveys, 65% of consumers are more likely to purchase from retailers that demonstrate sustainability transparency
45% of consumers say their purchasing decisions are influenced by a company’s sustainability performance
Consumer willingness to patronize sustainable merchants is forecasted to increase by 12% annually to 2030
Retailers implementing sustainability reporting see a 25% higher customer trust score
Over 80% of consumers want brands to be transparent about their sustainability practices
The industry-wide shift to sustainable products has resulted in a 15% revenue boost for early adopters
Digital and contactless payment methods are reducing paper and coin usage in merchant transactions by 35-40%

Consumer Preferences and Behaviors Interpretation

With over 60% of consumers favoring sustainable brands and nearly half willing to pay a premium, the merchant industry’s shift towards eco-friendly practices isn't just good ethics—it's a lucrative blueprint for building brand loyalty, trust, and a greener bottom line in an increasingly transparent marketplace.

Energy Efficiency and Resource Management

The adoption of energy-efficient lighting in merchant stores can reduce energy consumption by up to 30%
Around 35% of merchant companies report a reduction in energy costs after implementing sustainability measures
Implementing LED lighting across merchant outlets can reduce energy use by up to 75%
Solar panels installed on merchant rooftops can generate enough power to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 1.2 tons per year per panel
The energy consumption of merchant physical stores accounts for approximately 60% of their total greenhouse gas emissions
Implementing green building standards in new retail stores can lower energy use by up to 40%
Adoption of energy-saving HVAC systems in merchant spaces can reduce energy use by approximately 15-20%
Replacing traditional lighting with smart lighting controls in stores can cut lighting energy use by 20-30%

Energy Efficiency and Resource Management Interpretation

These statistics illuminate that embracing green technologies in the merchant industry not only cuts costs—sometimes dramatically—but also significantly dims the industry's carbon footprint, proving that being eco-conscious is both smart business and a responsible choice.

Supply Chain and Packaging Sustainability

The global merchant industry accounts for approximately 2-3% of total greenhouse gas emissions annually
Sustainable packaging reduces plastic waste by 20% in the merchant industry
The carbon footprint of typical merchant supply chains can be reduced by optimizing transportation logistics
E-commerce merchants face a 30% higher packaging waste on average compared to brick-and-mortar stores
34% of merchants have eliminated single-use plastics from their stores or supply chain
The use of biodegradable packaging materials is projected to grow by 18% annually in the merchant industry
The merchant industry’s water footprint can be reduced by 20-25% through improved supply chain management
The global market for sustainable packaging in retail is expected to reach $20 billion by 2025
The use of sustainable transportation options reduces merchant supply chain emissions by an estimated 18%
The integration of sustainability metrics into supply chain management systems is projected to grow by 44% over the next five years

Supply Chain and Packaging Sustainability Interpretation

While the merchant industry currently contributes a modest 2-3% of global greenhouse gases, its rapid adoption of sustainable packaging, biodegradable materials, and smarter logistics suggests it's poised to significantly shrink its environmental footprint—making sustainability not just an option, but an increasingly essential supply chain strategy.

Sustainable Practices and Initiatives

Approximately 50% of merchants have implemented at least one sustainability initiative in their operations
The use of renewable energy sources in merchant operations has increased by 25% over the past five years
Eco-friendly supply chain management can decrease operational costs by up to 15%
The merchant industry’s water usage can be reduced by implementing water-saving technologies
Moving to digital receipts can reduce paper waste in the merchant industry by over 50%
40% of merchants have set measurable sustainability targets for the next five years
55% of merchant companies consider sustainability reporting as essential for future growth
Merchants who participate in recycling programs report a 10-15% reduction in waste management costs
The adoption of electric delivery vehicles by merchants can reduce carbon emissions by over 60%
25% of merchant chains have integrated sustainability into their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs
Sustainable sourcing policies in the merchant industry have increased by 40% in the past decade
Transitioning to digital inventory systems can reduce paper use by over 50%, contributing to sustainability goals
30% of merchant companies have reported increased operational efficiency after adopting sustainable practices
The average merchant industry waste diversion rate has increased to 45% with sustainability initiatives
50% of merchants are exploring circular economy models to extend product lifecycle and reduce waste
Investment in sustainable infrastructure in the merchant industry has grown by 22% annually over the last three years
Approximately 80% of merchant brands report that sustainability improves employee engagement and retention
Over 70% of merchants participate in some form of carbon offsetting to neutralize their emissions
65% of merchant companies include sustainability goals in executive compensation plans
38% of merchant brands have achieved at least one formal sustainability certification
Nearly 45% of merchant businesses are planning to increase investments in green technologies within the next two years
Approximately 55% of merchant stores now feature eco-friendly signage and displays
The global merchant industry’s renewable energy investments have surpassed $600 million as of 2023

Sustainable Practices and Initiatives Interpretation

With half of merchants embracing sustainability initiatives and over 70% engaging in carbon offsetting, it's clear that green strategies are not just good for the planet but also fueling operational savings and employee loyalty—proving that being eco-conscious is increasingly the smartest business move on the shelf.