Half of consumers would support online delivery tax levied to carbon-offset fuel emissions

Half of UK consumers would support an online delivery tax if it were levied to carbon-offset fuel emissions to improve the sustainability credentials of e-commerce, new research shows.

According to a survey carried out on behalf of the Retail Technology Show, some 67% of consumers believe that making fulfilment carbon-neutral was one of the main ways retailers could improve green retailing, with 50% now in support of online retailers being taxed to offset carbon emissions generated from deliveries, rising to 56% of Gen Z consumers.

More than three quarters (76%) of consumers overall believe retailers could do more to be sustainable overall, however the potential challenge for retailers is that speed and cost still top shoppers delivery demands; 68% said speed of delivery was their top consideration, followed by the cost of delivery not being too expensive (53%) or being free (51%).

Other ways retailers could improve their sustainability include offering circular services such as repair, reuse and resale. Some 71% of consumers cite repair services as a key area for improving sustainability while 44% of UK shoppers are already use recycling services from retailers and just over a third (35%) are using resale services.

Matt Bradley, Event Director for the Retail Technology Show, commented: “The green retailing imperative continues to grow and is now a mainstay in consumers’ demands when shopping.  This means it will increasingly impact wider areas within the retail business, from the supply chain to returns and new retail formats, operations and services.”

Global fashion giant Zara is among those offering repair and resale. Introduced last autumn its pre-owned service allows shoppers to book repairs and donate unwanted Zara items online or in-store, as well as post now-unwanted purchases online for sale. The company runs the sales platform via its website and app. Proving the circular services are not just for premium and luxury brands, value fashion chain Primark has also recently introduced durability and repair services to extend the life of its garments.

The research of 1,000 consumers was carried out by Savanta on behalf of the Retail Technology Show which takes place on 26 & 27 April 2023 at London Olympia.

TheIndustry.fashion recently produced an in-depth report in partnership with Bleckmann entitled 'Gain a return on returns. Reduce, reuse, resell - how retailers can transform returns from a profit drain to a profit driver'. Download your free copy here. 

Main image: Alamy