Sustainable Consumption and Retail Practices

Sustainable consumption and retail practices encompass the strategies, behaviours and systems by which consumers, businesses and policymakers collaborate to minimise environmental impact, conserve resources and promote social welfare throughout the product life cycle. Central to this field is the transition from linear take-make-dispose models towards circular approaches that emphasise reuse, remanufacture and recycling. Retailers play a pivotal role by redesigning supply chains, offering product-as-service schemes and enhancing transparency in sourcing and labelling. Consumer engagement is driven by factors such as environmental concern, ethical values and perceived control over purchasing decisions, while impeded by information asymmetries and trust issues. Emerging technologies—from digital platforms enabling peer-to-peer exchanges to blockchain for provenance tracking—support new business models that align profitability with planetary boundaries. Policy instruments, including extended producer responsibility and eco-taxation, further incentivise sustainable offerings. Globally, retailers are experimenting with zero-waste stores, refill stations and take-back schemes, while companies embed social criteria in procurement and communicate sustainability claims more prominently. This integrated approach not only mitigates greenhouse-gas emissions and waste but can generate competitive advantage and foster resilient consumption patterns that are essential in the face of resource scarcity and climate change.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Sustainable Consumption and Retail Practices publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in sustainable consumption and retail practices across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Sustainable consumption: The use of goods and services that meet current needs while minimising environmental degradation and resource depletion for future generations.

Circular economy: An economic model that prioritises keeping products, materials and resources in use for as long as possible through reuse, refurbishment and recycling.

Sustainable business model: A framework for creating, delivering and capturing value that balances economic viability with environmental stewardship and social equity.

Willingness to pay (WTP): The maximum price at which a consumer is prepared to purchase a good or service, reflecting perceived value and affordability.

Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB): A behavioural theory positing that intention to act is shaped by attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control.

References

1. Understanding Consumer Attitudes Towards Sustainable Business Models—A Qualitative Study with Finnish Consumers. Circular Economy and Sustainability (2024).
2. Determinants of green consumer behavior: A case study from Vietnam. Cogent Business & Management (2023).
3. What Makes People Pay Premium Price for Eco-Friendly Products? The Effects of Ethical Consumption Consciousness, CSR, and Product Quality. Sustainability (2022).