Eco focus and price are key to where consumers shop - OC&C study

Fashion brands are falling over themselves to establish their green credentials and that’s no surprise given how high consumers rate green issues. Now a new study, the latest in consultant OC&C’s annual series of retail reports, says almost half of UK consumers see a retailer’s environmental agenda as important when shopping.

The company’s 2019 Retail Proposition Index revealed a “major shift” in what influences where people choose to shop, “with two seemingly conflicting trends of value shopping and ethical consumerism both gaining popularity”.

And while the retail sector in general may think it’s doing all it can, consumers don’t agree. In fact, the study showed there’s “growing mistrust in our leading retailers”.

But sustainability isn’t the be-all and end-all for shoppers and the report said value is also key. Three of the names in the top 10 favourite retailers list were discounters and those outside the top 10 that focus on low prices also seem to be heading upwards.

So who were the most popular retailers this time round. Well, after having taken number one spot last year, John Lewis fell back into its more regular second place this time. M&S Simply Food was at number one, while Amazon was in third place and Lush fourth. M&S was fifth, Ikea sixth, Aldo seventh, Boots eighth, Home Bargains ninth and Wilko in 10th spot. Ralph Lauren dropped out the top 10 this year having been in eighth place in 2018.

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