Corso isn’t the only one prioritizing sustainability. Environmental consciousness is at an all-time high leading businesses to recognize the importance of sustainability in not only their products or services, but also their operations. By adopting sustainable practices, brands can not only reduce their environmental footprint but also enhance their green reputation, attract more eco-conscious consumers, and drive long-term profitability. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits and methods for improving sustainability in the supply chain.

Benefits of Sustainability in E-commerce

It’s no secret that the world around us is changing rapidly. Primarily, sustainability minimizes negative environmental impacts, such as carbon emissions, resource depletion, and pollution. This preserves natural resources and ecosystems for future generations. However, there are a number of secondary benefits of sustainability for e-commerce brands that should no longer be overlooked.

Consumer Preference: Sustainability is no longer just a passing trend, it’s here to stay (and we’re over the moon about it). According to a survey by Nielsen, 73% of global consumers say they would change their consumption habits to reduce their environmental impact. By embracing sustainability, e-commerce brands can build trust, loyalty, and long-term relationships with customers. 

Cost Savings: There’s a common misconception that sustainable options are more expensive. However, sustainable practices such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, and resource optimization can actually lead to significant cost savings. 

Regulatory Compliance: Governments and regulatory bodies are increasingly implementing stringent environmental regulations and standards. By adopting sustainable practices in their supply chain, brands can ensure compliance with existing and future regulations, mitigating the risk of fines, penalties, and reputational damage.

Methods to Improve Sustainability in the Supply Chain

From simple switches to optimization, taking sustainable steps doesn’t need to be overwhelming. It won’t happen overnight, but by implementing some of the methods below, you can take your brand in the right direction.

Supplier Collaboration: Work closely with suppliers to promote sustainability throughout the supply chain. Encourage or choose suppliers who adopt sustainable practices, such as ethical sourcing, fair labor practices, and environmentally friendly production methods.

Material Sourcing and Procurement: Opt for sustainable and eco-friendly materials in product manufacturing and packaging. Prioritize recycled, renewable, and biodegradable materials to minimize environmental impact. From materials and threads created from recycled plastics, and reusable packaging, to packing peanuts made from wheat, sustainable options are becoming increasingly available and popular.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: Invest in energy-efficient technologies and practices to reduce energy consumption in warehouses, distribution centers, and transportation fleets. Consider switching to renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, to further reduce carbon emissions.

Transportation Optimization: Optimize transportation routes, modes, and packaging to minimize carbon emissions and reduce transportation-related costs. Consolidate shipments, use eco-friendly packaging materials, and explore alternative transportation options, such as electric or hybrid vehicles. In 2022, the UPS global fleet included over 13,000 alternate fuel and advanced technology vehicles. By collaborating with carriers like UPS who are going the extra mile for sustainability, brands help to improve their own reputation and demonstrate their commitment to the environment.

Waste Reduction and Recycling: Implement waste reduction and recycling programs to minimize waste. Optimize packaging designs, encourage product and packaging reuse, and establish recycling initiatives to reduce landfill waste.

Transparency and Traceability: Provide transparency and traceability throughout the supply chain, allowing consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. Utilize blockchain technology or other digital platforms to track and verify the sustainability credentials of products and suppliers.

Continuous Improvement and Innovation: With constant innovations and progressions in sustainability, stay up to date with new opportunities, new technologies, and practices.

In Conclusion

Improving sustainability in the supply chain is no longer just a moral obligation, but also a key strategy for e-commerce brands. As consumers increasingly demand environmentally friendly products and practices, e-commerce brands that embrace sustainability not only enhance their brand’s reputation but also contribute to a healthier planet and society.

Learn more about how Corso’s Green Shipping Protection boosts your brand’s sustainability efforts.

The landscape of eCommerce is quickly evolving and growing, and staying ahead of the curve is crucial for brands. As we kick off 2024, we’ve outlined our top 5 2024 eCommerce trends for brands to follow this year.

Authenticity and Trust

For  2024, success for brands extends far beyond transactions. It demands authenticity and trustworthiness. With the eCommerce space becoming increasingly busy, and the increase in scams and fraud, it’s crucial for brands to cultivate an honest and authentic image. A key part of this lies in social proof. Brands that actively curate and showcase genuine reviews and testimonials not only establish credibility but also foster a sense of trust among consumers. These reviews and testimonials can be prompted by a sequenced email after the purchase. To encourage these reviews, brands can offer a discount code or gift for the customer’s next purchase.

Additionally, with half of the shoppers worldwide on social media, it’s crucial to actively engage and respond to comments, queries, and feedback on any posts. It does not only start the conversation with a potential or existing customer, but also helps to foster brand trust for other potential customers who see the post. Building an authentic and trustworthy brand is not just limited to 2024. As the landscape shifts over the years, this will always prove to be a winning strategy for eCommerce brands.

Sustainable eCommerce Practices

Consumer consciousness about environmental impact continues to rise, prompting brands to adopt more sustainable practices. From eco-friendly packaging, carbon-neutral shipping options, impactful products, and supporting green initiatives. There are a plethora of options for brands to get started or continue along their sustainable path. For example, a brand can switch to packaging that can be repurposed for customers. Some swimwear brands have switched from single-use plastic bags to reusable and sealable pouches that can be used to place wet swimwear, makeup, sunscreen, or anything else that you wouldn’t want to leak in your beach bag. Alternatively, offering refillable products or subscriptions helps to save on the initial packaging and demonstrates that the brand values sustainability.

Sustainability is not just a trend but is now a demand by consumers. With this, it’s crucial to be transparent with consumers about the brand’s sustainable efforts. Greenwashing has become an increasingly common practice. Therefore being transparent, helps to increase brand trust and loyalty.

Learn how Corso can help your brand to become more sustainable completely free.

More Direct Lines Of Communication

In the realm of eCommerce, where same-day deliveries have become commonplace, consumers are pressing brands to utilize more immediate and direct means of communication. Recognizing these demands, brands need to consider more direct options such as text messaging and direct messaging to foster immediate and personalized interactions. Providing these direct, responsive, and tailored lines of communication helps to resolve any queries swiftly and also assists in building a stronger foundation of trust and loyalty between brands and consumers.

Voice Commerce on the Rise

Voice-activated devices and virtual assistants have become increasingly popular over the past year and are reshaping how consumers interact with eCommerce platforms. The convenience of hands-free shopping through voice commands is gaining popularity. Brands need to optimize their online presence for voice search, ensuring that products and services are easily discoverable through platforms like Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant.

Personalization Through Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI-powered personalization in eCommerce has helped to expand on conventional recommendations and drastically enhance the customer experience. Through advanced data analysis, AI not only refines existing personalization strategies. It also tailors product suggestions, content, and promotional offers in alignment with each customer’s unique preferences. Additionally, AI is not only relevant in the present but also can be optimized to predict these personalizations in the future. This allows brands to make personal and relevant recommendations in alignment with their customers changing needs.

In addition to enhancing present and future personalizations, AI can help to deliver a deeper understanding of consumer trends and patterns. As a result, businesses can utilize this information to make informed decisions that ultimately increase customer satisfaction, drive higher conversion rates, and adjust inventory numbers.

Wrapping Up

Wrapping up, brands that proactively embrace these trends and integrate them into their eCommerce strategies will position themselves as innovators in the space, forging stronger connections with their audience and driving sustainable growth.

Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22nd with the intention to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote environmental protection. The first was held in 1970 and was organized to bring attention to environmental problems such as pollution, deforestation, and the depletion of natural resources.

Since then, Earth Day has become a global event that is celebrated in more than 190 countries. People celebrate by participating in various activities. These activities include tree planting, beach cleanups, and recycling drives to promote environmental conservation and sustainability. The theme for Earth Day 2023 is “Restore Our Earth,” which focuses on the need to repair the damage done to the planet’s ecosystems and biodiversity.

What is the purpose of Earth Day?

Earth Day was created to bring attention to the urgent need to address environmental problems. These problems include pollution, deforestation, climate change, and the depletion of natural resources.

The day serves as a reminder that we all have a role to play in protecting our planet and creating a sustainable future. It is a day to educate people about the impact that our actions have on the environment. Additionally, to encourage them to take action to reduce their carbon footprint, conserve resources, and promote sustainability.

By raising awareness about environmental issues, Earth Day helps mobilize individuals, communities, and governments to protect our planet. It also provides an opportunity for people to come together to celebrate the beauty and diversity of our natural world and to renew their commitment to environmental stewardship.

How to celebrate Earth Day?

Earth Day is celebrated in many different ways, depending on the country and the community. Some popular activities include:

1. Planting trees: Tree-planting events are a popular way to celebrate Earth Day. Trees are essential for filtering the air, preventing soil erosion, and providing habitats for wildlife.
2. Litter clean-ups: Many communities organize litter clean-up events to help keep their streets, parks, and waterways clean.
3. Recycling drives: Earth Day is the ideal occasion to encourage recycling and reduce waste. Many communities organize recycling drives to collect recyclable materials such as paper, plastic, and glass.
4. Environmental education: The day provides the opportunity to learn and teach more about environmental issues and the importance of sustainability. Many schools and community organizations organize environmental education events such as workshops, lectures, and film screenings.
5. Sustainable living: It is a great time to commit to living a more sustainable lifestyle. Some people use Earth Day to make changes in their daily habits, such as reducing their energy consumption, eating more plant-based foods, or using eco-friendly products.
6. Advocacy and activism: Earth Day is also a time to advocate for environmental policies and take action to address climate change. Many organizations use this day to promote environmental awareness and encourage people to speak out about issues that affect our planet.

Want to get involved in Earth Day events near you? Here are the top 10 Earth Day events worldwide by EarthDay.org.

Earth Day at Corso

At Corso, we are incredibly passionate about protecting the planet. This is why we have worked so hard to make sustainable shipping protection easily accessible to brands and customers.

This Earth Day, we will be doubling all carbon offsets. You can shop your favorite brands and have double the positive impact on the planet.

Want to learn more about how you can elevate your brand’s sustainability efforts? Click here.

Earth Day has helped to create a global movement for environmental protection and sustainability. While there is still much work to be done to address environmental challenges, Earth Day has played a critical role in raising awareness and promoting action to protect our planet.

With sustainability at the top of consumers’ minds, in fact, 82% more so than pre-COVID, businesses can no longer afford to overlook their environmental impact. Nevertheless, we understand that this increased demand to step up to the sustainability plate can be overwhelming, especially during unpredictable times. Whether your business has just begun its sustainability journey, or you’re looking for the next progression, we’ve compiled some simple steps to help elevate your brand’s sustainability efforts.

Make Sustainable Choices Simple

In the last 12 months, Google has observed a substantial increase in “sustainability” searches, with “zero waste” growing 6X faster than its other eco searches. Consumers are becoming more educated than ever on these issues, which results in an increase in demand for both brands and governments worldwide to do more to reach “destination zero”, a world where humans have zero impact on the environment. With this in mind, it’s critical for brands to start to integrate sustainability into their business model. Google said it best with “people don’t expect brands to become perfect stewards overnight, but they want to learn about what you’re doing to improve sustainability now”.

Start with small changes whether it be using or switching to recycled, recyclable, or biodegradable materials, reducing waste, offering carbon-neutral shipping, donating to organizations, switching to local suppliers, or reducing energy usage. For consumers, it’s important for sustainable shopping options to still remain just as, if not more, affordable, convenient, and accessible than the less sustainable options. Of course, not everyone has sustainability as a priority, but when the eco-choices become more convenient and simple, it makes sustainability feel much more achievable. This, in turn, will motivate consumers to continue to make those decisions. However, it’s important to remember, no-one expects brands to transition to destination zero overnight, but it is important to communicate efforts that you are taking steps in the right direction.

Communicate your Efforts, Goals, and Journey

According to Forbes, 68% of highly empowered consumers intend to increase efforts to find brands that reduce environmental impact. This means that tokenism will no longer stand in eco-shopping. Consumers are looking for brands that make meaningful and tangible sustainable efforts that align with the brands’ core values, as opposed to those who are “greenwashing”. Again, none of this is possible overnight, however consumers are looking for more transparency from brands to know the changes and efforts that are being made. Additionally, if you are working with a partner, organization, or project, e.g. carbon offsets, you can amplify their efforts and how the partnership is making far greater impacts than is possible alone. This transparency and communication allow consumers to see how sustainability can solve everyday problems and how all of these small steps, make an impact on a much larger scale.

Throughout the shopping experience, communication is also critical to help consumers find the products that reflect their values, such as filters for sustainable or recyclable materials or vegan-friendly options. It’s also important to outline your goals which allow consumers to feel a key part of the journey every time they make a purchase, which leads us perfectly to our next point.

Recognize, Reward & Motivate

With over 73% of millennials claiming that they would prefer to buy from a sustainable business in 2020, it is clear that this demand for sustainability is not just a “fad”. However, consumers are often left feeling guilty about their choices and overwhelmed that they are unable to do enough, which is why it is critical to recognize, reward, and motivate. Both consumers and brands can recognize that we cannot change the world overnight, but when we shift the tone from doom and gloom to far more positive messaging, consumers feel more motivated to continue to make changes. This also helps the process feel much less overwhelming and that together, little by little, we can achieve our goals. In addition, communicating these efforts well will also help consumers to stay on the sustainability path for longer as they see clearly how they, personally, are helping to make a difference.

In summary, sustainability is not just good for the planet, it’s also good for your business. With consumers increasingly searching for sustainable and eco-conscious brands, your sustainability strategy is key, not only for the recent shift in consumer trends but also to prepare for the long term.

Earth Day always serves as a great reminder to check-in and evaluate the sustainability of our habits and choices. However, as our friends over at Searchspring have pointed out, improving your sustainability is not only good for the planet, but it’s also great for your business. This article by Searchspring outlines customers’ changing buying behaviors, simple ways retailers can go green, and how to effectively communicate sustainable policies and practices throughout the sustainable shopper experience.

Environmental Concerns are a Growing Factor in Purchasing Decisions

Retailers can no longer overlook their environmental impact. 77% of consumers say a brand’s sustainability and environmental responsibility are either very or moderately important to them. Younger generations are heavily influenced by environmental issues when it comes to how and where they spend their money. 26% of Millenials and 31% of Gen Z say they would pay more for products that have the least impact.

These shifts are reflected in changing business practices. Three in four companies say they have defined sustainability targets in their business goals. Recycling and energy usage are the top priorities. Aside from the positive environmental impact of these changes, 86% of businesses also expect their sales to grow as a result of these practices.

So, when it comes to eCommerce, how can retailers make a difference and provide a more sustainable shopper experience?

Three Easy Ways to Reduce the Environmental Impact of Ecommerce

1. Shipping is one of the worst culprits when it comes to the environmental effects of eCommerce. To reduce your impact, choose couriers that offer carbon-neutral shipping. You could also make an annual donation as part of your corporate social responsibility program to offset your business footprint.
2. Packaging is another big offender when it comes to environmental damage. Reduce waste produced by your business by using recycled materials that customers can dispose of responsibly or reuse for other purposes. Even better, reward your customers for returning or refilling product containers instead of purchasing new ones.
3. Returns aren’t just bad for your bottom line, they also add to the shipping demands created by your business. Simple steps such as providing accurate sizing guides and displaying high-quality product photos and details can reduce your return rates. Check out more tips on reducing product returns here.

Highlight Eco-Friendly Products and Policies Throughout the Sustainable Shopper Experience

With environmental causes playing a bigger role in consumers’ purchasing decisions, retailers should incorporate their commitments into the sustainable shopper experience and journey. Try including the following features on your eCommerce store to help shoppers find products that reflect their values.

Provide Relevant Filters

Equip shoppers to filter products based on their social or environmental concerns. For example, customers may want to filter specifically for cruelty-free cosmetics, vegan ingredients, or recyclable materials. Pura Vida is one sustainability-focused brand that takes this approach. Both their main menu navigation and category filters give shoppers the option to filter products by the type of charity they would like to support with the proceeds of their purchase.

Configure Site Search Results

Rather than navigate their way to the relevant results, shoppers often head straight to your search bar to find what they’re looking for. Make sure your site search is configured to deliver products that meet their criteria. For example, if a shopper searches for “organic cotton t-shirts,” does clothing made from the appropriate material appear in their results?

Bonus tip: make any sustainability policy pages on your website searchable, too. Environmentally-conscious shoppers may use the search bar to seek out details of whether the packaging is recyclable, for example. Ensure they are seamlessly directed to the information they need.

Merchandise for Visibility

Merchandising is a valuable tool for improving the visibility of your environmental efforts. If you have recently updated your practices to become more green, make sure your customers know about it. A simple banner that states, “all of our delivery packaging is now made from recycled materials”, is a small but important message to communicate to eco-conscious buyers. Any environmental certifications or quality seals you have received should be featured, too. Badges can also be used to highlight relevant product attributes. Australian brand, THE UPSIDE, takes advantage of this to highlight their sustainability-focused products on category pages.

Sustainable Shopping Benefits Customers, the Environment, and Your Business

Consumers are more conscious of environmental considerations than ever before. They actively seek out sustainable products from brands that share their values. By making small changes, you can minimize your impact on the planet, support customers to make responsible purchasing decisions, strengthen your brand reputation and provide a more sustainable shopper experience.

Many of the brands who signed up with Corso over the past few months wanted Green Shipping Protection for their online orders placed over Black Friday Cyber Monday weekend.

Green Shipping Protection protects their packages in case of any damage, theft, or loss during shipping. It also offsets 100% of the carbon emissions related to shipping packages to the customer. We are excited to fulfill the goal to help brands make good on all they ship.

We’d like to share 3 insights from the impact our brands made over the weekend:

First, with the thousands of orders covered by Green Shipping Protection, together we were able to offset over 35 metric tons of carbon.

These contributions go directly to an independently verified carbon offset project.

“Together we were able to offset over 35 metric tons of carbon.”

Next, online shoppers are appreciating the opportunity to protect their packages and offset their carbon. It’s encouraging that such a high percentage of online shoppers are choosing Green Shipping Protection.

Overall, more than 60% of customers added Green Shipping Protection to their orders. One of our brands had 76.8% of their customers add Green Shipping Protection™.

“More than 60% of customers added Green Shipping Protection.”

And last, this is the busiest time of year for brands to be marketing products, fulfilling orders, and providing support. Corso helps by being the first line of support for any shipping issues. One customer chatted, “My package was lost, they stated it was put in a locker and I never received it.”

Even though the product was no longer in stock due to BFCM, we were able to reorder another product of equal value, avoiding a costly refund for the brand.

“My package was lost, they stated it was put in a locker and I never received it.”

These opportunities to help brands while also helping the planet are why we love working at Corso.

We are privileged to serve such great brands during this busy holiday season.

If you want to learn more about Corso’s Green Shipping Protection, schedule a demo.

– Dallin Moon, Chief Product Officer