GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sustainability In The Retail Industry Statistics

Most consumers favor sustainable brands; retailers improve profits and loyalty.

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

73% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable brands

Statistic 2

88% of consumers want brands to help improve the environment

Statistic 3

50% of shoppers prefer to buy from brands with transparent sustainability policies

Statistic 4

42% of global consumers are willing to pay extra for products from companies committed to positive social and environmental impact

Statistic 5

63% of consumers say they are more likely to buy from brands that actively promote sustainability

Statistic 6

65% of retailers see sustainability as critical for long-term brand loyalty

Statistic 7

74% of consumers would stop purchasing from a brand that they believe is harmful to the environment

Statistic 8

Companies with strong sustainability programs report 10% higher customer retention

Statistic 9

82% of global consumers want brands to tell a story about their sustainability efforts

Statistic 10

60% of consumers are more inclined to buy from a retailer that offers sustainable products

Statistic 11

70% of consumers are more likely to buy from brands that use sustainable sourcing practices

Statistic 12

68% of consumers perceive sustainable products as higher quality

Statistic 13

76% of consumers check labeling for sustainability certifications before purchasing

Statistic 14

70% of consumers are willing to boycott brands that do not practice sustainability

Statistic 15

78% of consumers prefer brands with clear sustainability practices disclosed on their websites

Statistic 16

63% of retail customers believe sustainability efforts add value to brands

Statistic 17

Retail companies that have achieved B Corp certification see a 10% better brand perception

Statistic 18

55% of consumers are more likely to support retailers with transparent supply chains

Statistic 19

69% of shoppers support the expansion of biodegradable packaging options

Statistic 20

72% of consumers prefer products made with sustainable materials

Statistic 21

66% of retailers report that sustainability certifications influence consumer purchasing decisions

Statistic 22

54% of consumers have switched brands due to environmental concerns

Statistic 23

79% of retailers view sustainability as essential for future growth

Statistic 24

Only 55% of retailers measure their sustainability impacts regularly

Statistic 25

55% of retailers aim to achieve zero waste by 2030

Statistic 26

80% of retailers believe that sustainability will be a key factor in their supply chain management by 2025

Statistic 27

46% of global retail executives consider sustainability a top priority

Statistic 28

49% of retailers plan to invest more in sustainable product development over the next three years

Statistic 29

53% of retail decision-makers believe that sustainability initiatives can reduce operational costs

Statistic 30

86% of retailers see sustainability as a factor for attracting and retaining talent

Statistic 31

65% of retail executives identify sustainability as a key driver for innovation

Statistic 32

45% of retail chains have committed to carbon neutrality by 2030

Statistic 33

The retail sector accounts for about 2% of global carbon emissions, but holds potential to reduce emissions significantly

Statistic 34

Retail plastic waste has decreased by 20% over the last decade due to sustainability initiatives

Statistic 35

Retail sustainability initiatives have resulted in a 22% reduction in water usage over the past decade

Statistic 36

Retail companies adopting sustainable practices see an average revenue increase of 20%

Statistic 37

The global market for sustainable packaging is expected to reach $374.8 billion by 2026

Statistic 38

The use of renewable energy in retail stores increased by 15% in the past two years

Statistic 39

The percentage of retail companies adopting green building standards has grown by 40% in five years

Statistic 40

Sustainable apparel sales grew by 12% in 2022, outpacing traditional apparel growth

Statistic 41

The use of electric vehicles for retail logistics has increased by 25% in three years, according to industry reports

Statistic 42

The global sustainable fashion market size was valued at $6.3 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow rapidly

Statistic 43

80% of retailers are exploring or implementing circular economy models

Statistic 44

The adoption rate of sustainability-linked credit facilities among retail companies has doubled from 2020 to 2023

Statistic 45

The number of retail stores using solar power increased by 35% between 2020 and 2023

Statistic 46

Recyclable packaging adoption has increased by 30% among retail brands over the past five years

Statistic 47

Retailers implementing energy-efficient lighting report a 15% reduction in energy costs

Statistic 48

54% of retail companies report increased sales after implementing sustainable packaging initiatives

Statistic 49

Recycling programs in retail outlets have increased by 30% over five years

Statistic 50

40% of retail brands are investing in renewable energy projects

Statistic 51

Sustainable supply chain practices can reduce costs by up to 15% in retail

Slide 1 of 51

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

73% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable brands
88% of consumers want brands to help improve the environment
Retail companies adopting sustainable practices see an average revenue increase of 20%
50% of shoppers prefer to buy from brands with transparent sustainability policies
42% of global consumers are willing to pay extra for products from companies committed to positive social and environmental impact
Only 55% of retailers measure their sustainability impacts regularly
63% of consumers say they are more likely to buy from brands that actively promote sustainability
65% of retailers see sustainability as critical for long-term brand loyalty
The global market for sustainable packaging is expected to reach $374.8 billion by 2026
74% of consumers would stop purchasing from a brand that they believe is harmful to the environment
Companies with strong sustainability programs report 10% higher customer retention
82% of global consumers want brands to tell a story about their sustainability efforts
60% of consumers are more inclined to buy from a retailer that offers sustainable products

In a retail landscape where 73% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable brands and over 80% Seek transparency, embracing sustainability isn’t just good for the planet—it’s essential for boosting revenue, building loyalty, and staying competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

Consumer Willingness and Preferences

73% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable brands
88% of consumers want brands to help improve the environment
50% of shoppers prefer to buy from brands with transparent sustainability policies
42% of global consumers are willing to pay extra for products from companies committed to positive social and environmental impact
63% of consumers say they are more likely to buy from brands that actively promote sustainability
65% of retailers see sustainability as critical for long-term brand loyalty
74% of consumers would stop purchasing from a brand that they believe is harmful to the environment
Companies with strong sustainability programs report 10% higher customer retention
82% of global consumers want brands to tell a story about their sustainability efforts
60% of consumers are more inclined to buy from a retailer that offers sustainable products
70% of consumers are more likely to buy from brands that use sustainable sourcing practices
68% of consumers perceive sustainable products as higher quality
76% of consumers check labeling for sustainability certifications before purchasing
70% of consumers are willing to boycott brands that do not practice sustainability
78% of consumers prefer brands with clear sustainability practices disclosed on their websites
63% of retail customers believe sustainability efforts add value to brands
Retail companies that have achieved B Corp certification see a 10% better brand perception
55% of consumers are more likely to support retailers with transparent supply chains
69% of shoppers support the expansion of biodegradable packaging options
72% of consumers prefer products made with sustainable materials
66% of retailers report that sustainability certifications influence consumer purchasing decisions
54% of consumers have switched brands due to environmental concerns
79% of retailers view sustainability as essential for future growth

Consumer Willingness and Preferences Interpretation

With over 73% of consumers willing to pay more and 82% demanding transparency, the retail industry faces a clear truth: embedding sustainability isn't just good ethics—it's becoming the market’s measuring stick for brand loyalty and long-term success.

Corporate and Retailer Sustainability Strategies

Only 55% of retailers measure their sustainability impacts regularly
55% of retailers aim to achieve zero waste by 2030
80% of retailers believe that sustainability will be a key factor in their supply chain management by 2025
46% of global retail executives consider sustainability a top priority
49% of retailers plan to invest more in sustainable product development over the next three years
53% of retail decision-makers believe that sustainability initiatives can reduce operational costs
86% of retailers see sustainability as a factor for attracting and retaining talent
65% of retail executives identify sustainability as a key driver for innovation
45% of retail chains have committed to carbon neutrality by 2030

Corporate and Retailer Sustainability Strategies Interpretation

While half of retailers track their sustainability impacts and nearly as many aim for zero waste by 2030, the reality remains that less than half prioritize sustainability as a top strategic goal—highlighting a pressing need to turn green ambitions into measurable, consistent action before the industry’s eco promises become mere retail rhetoric.

Environmental Impact and Outcomes

The retail sector accounts for about 2% of global carbon emissions, but holds potential to reduce emissions significantly
Retail plastic waste has decreased by 20% over the last decade due to sustainability initiatives
Retail sustainability initiatives have resulted in a 22% reduction in water usage over the past decade

Environmental Impact and Outcomes Interpretation

While retail's modest 2% share of global emissions might seem negligible, its impressive 20% plastic waste reduction and 22% water savings over the last decade reveal that even a small sector can lead the charge toward a more sustainable future.

Market Growth and Industry Trends

Retail companies adopting sustainable practices see an average revenue increase of 20%
The global market for sustainable packaging is expected to reach $374.8 billion by 2026
The use of renewable energy in retail stores increased by 15% in the past two years
The percentage of retail companies adopting green building standards has grown by 40% in five years
Sustainable apparel sales grew by 12% in 2022, outpacing traditional apparel growth
The use of electric vehicles for retail logistics has increased by 25% in three years, according to industry reports
The global sustainable fashion market size was valued at $6.3 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow rapidly
80% of retailers are exploring or implementing circular economy models
The adoption rate of sustainability-linked credit facilities among retail companies has doubled from 2020 to 2023
The number of retail stores using solar power increased by 35% between 2020 and 2023

Market Growth and Industry Trends Interpretation

As sustainability becomes a retail industry backbone—from a 20% revenue boost and soaring green markets to a 35% increase in solar-powered stores—it's clear that eco-conscious practices are not just ethical choices but savvy business strategies poised to drive profits and planetary health alike.

Sustainable Practices and Initiatives in Retail

Recyclable packaging adoption has increased by 30% among retail brands over the past five years
Retailers implementing energy-efficient lighting report a 15% reduction in energy costs
54% of retail companies report increased sales after implementing sustainable packaging initiatives
Recycling programs in retail outlets have increased by 30% over five years
40% of retail brands are investing in renewable energy projects
Sustainable supply chain practices can reduce costs by up to 15% in retail

Sustainable Practices and Initiatives in Retail Interpretation

As retail brands embrace sustainability—boosting recyclable packaging, cutting costs with energy-efficient lighting, and investing in renewables—they're proving that going green isn't just good for the planet, but also for their bottom line.