Holiday Shoppers Weighing Carbon Footprint in Delivery Decisions

(Bloomberg) -- Mother Nature is figuring into consumers’ holiday spending plans this year.

The environmental impact of fast-delivery options, which may include using planes and shipping multiple items separately, is a concern resonating with Americans, according to Accenture’s Annual Holiday Shopping Survey. Half of respondents said they’d choose options that leave a smaller carbon footprint, such as slower shipping or in-store pickup.

“Consumers are starting to care” about the use of cardboard and the impact of next-day shipping, Jill Standish, senior managing director and head of Accenture’s global retail practice, said in an interview. “This is just the beginning. This is the new normal.”

To be sure, while consumers say they want to rein in any repercussions on the planet from their shopping habits, it’s unclear how much their behavior will actually change. One-day or other fast-shipping options may prove too strong a lure, especially when trying to meet holiday deadlines.

Amazon.com Inc., Walmart Inc. and Target Corp. have been investing billions of dollars to speed up and broaden delivery options as they vie for customers, a strategy that has put pressure on their profit margins. Walmart has said its shift to one-day shipping will mean items will typically come in just one box from a single warehouse that’s closest to the customer. Amazon, meanwhile, said in April that reducing delivery times for its top customers would cost it $800 million in the second quarter alone.

In addition to the environment, social responsibility is becoming more important to consumers, according to Accenture. Of the 1,500 people surveyed in July and August, 45% said they plan to shop at retailers this holiday season who demonstrate social consciousness in their business practices and working conditions.

Six out of seven participants said they plan to spend the same or more than last year, averaging $637. On average, men expect to lay out $685, about 15% more than women, with gift cards, clothing and footwear the most popular purchases. Respondents were split evenly between men and women, with 20% representing each of five generational groups from Gen Z to Baby Boomers.

--With assistance from Jordyn Holman and Matthew Boyle.

To contact the reporter on this story: Lisa Wolfson in Boston at lwolfson@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Anne Riley Moffat at ariley17@bloomberg.net, Jonathan Roeder

©2019 Bloomberg L.P.