How to shop greener for the holidays. Tips for eco-conscious gifters of all levels.
Gift-giving is a cornerstone of relationships. People express gifting in myriad ways, from spontaneous, smaller-scaled acts like baking treats to more elaborate signs of affection like planning a trip.
Presents can be physical manifestations of social relationships, which remain significant even in a digital age. But amid growing concerns about sustainability, many are rethinking how they show appreciation to those they love. Some have chosen to gift more strategically, reducing the volume of their purchases. Others have simply foregone the ritual altogether, finding less tangible expressions of gratitude. Stacker analyzed data from the National Retail Federation, NielsenIQ, and other sources to see how gifting is becoming greener and how consumers can navigate this holiday season differently.
This 2024 holiday season, the National Retail Federation predicts more generous gift-givers willing to spend about $902 on average for gifts, food, and decoration—$25 more than in 2023. Despite the larger budgets, there seems to be a generational difference in what consumers spend money on.
According to strategist Phil Rist in NRF's study, even though plenty of shoppers will choose traditional retailers this season, those from 18 to 24 may opt for resale or thrift stores. "Secondhand and refurbished gifts appeal to this age group's desire to save money and be more sustainable," Rist said.
NielsenIQ's analysis of shopping trends demonstrates that Gen Z consumers worldwide are asking more pointed questions about the brands producing the gifts they'll be giving during the holidays. Consumers are scrutinizing where ingredients come from, the companies that make the products, and the environmental impact of such objects.
Only about 1 in 5 Gen Z consumers identify as brand loyal, meaning companies will have to do more to earn Gen Z's dollars, including taking stock of their products' sustainability and social impact, according to a NielsenIQ survey conducted in late 2023. Brands that can answer these questions are at an advantage in this era of more eco-conscious consumerism.
Sustainable shopping means buying things that have a minimal negative impact on the environment and society. This negative impact must do no harm in every stage of a product's life cycle, from the raw materials to how the product is recycled or reused. Practices like regifting and buying secondhand are inherently more sustainable than purchasing new from retail stores or Amazon. Shopping at thrift stores and regifting are two of many easy, actionable ways consumers can gift greener.
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