Could the battle for your supermarket dollar be in what type of bags (if any) a store offers? This week, Morrisons announced that it would be piloting a project to eliminate plastic bags in some of its stores and only offer paper bags, showing the battle for sustainably minded consumers is far from over.

This is not a new idea as stores and consumers have been scaling back their plastic bag usage for many years, but it signals a decisive position, and it will be up to others to follow suit in the competitive UK supermarket landscape.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Consumers want to shop for products and services that have a sustainable and / or ethical slant. While the pandemic might have made consumers concerned about reusable packaging for hygiene reasons, it appears consumers care about the environment more than ever.

40% of UK consumers say that recycling and reusable packaging is more important or a top priority as a result of Covid-19. In addition, 40% of UK consumers say that plastic-free packaging is more important or a top priority as a result of Covid-19.

Eliminating plastic bags and offering alternative packaging options such as refilling stations for some groceries are easy ways for consumers to feel as if they are making a positive impact. By simply saying no to a plastic bag, consumers feel they are contributing to a better world, while for the retailer, it is a nice opportunity to promote its sustainable practices.

Another key consideration for retailers is at-home delivery. Recently, Tesco eliminated plastic bags from its home delivery service. With consumers either still nervous about going to the supermarket or now accustomed to the convenience of at-home delivery, supermarkets must be able to compete in how sustainable their at-home delivery is. Not only will it create positive PR if a store can claim zero plastic usage or zero-emissions delivery, for example, it can also convince shoppers to click on that store instead of the competition.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

That being said, consumers also want convenience. Morrisons’ strategy to remove plastic bags but replace with paper ones was strategic. It does not force consumers to remember to bring their own bags, and instead, they can make a more eco-friendly decision and opt for paper.

The key for retailers in building consumer loyalty is to find a happy medium: provide a convenient and appealing shopping experience that can also help consumers feel good about the impact of their shopping decisions.