When it comes to attracting and retaining customers, you know it’s critical to offer high-quality products at the right price.
But a new customer-winning criteria has emerged, influencing where consumers decide to shop and what they decide to buy: sustainability. Experts have found that over half of consumers consider sustainability when making purchases, with some even being willing to pay more for sustainable options.
By taking advantage of this sustainability shift, you can grow your customer base, boost your profits, and set your business apart from the competition — all while caring for the planet.
That’s why we’ve created this blog to share how you can keep up with the trend of sustainability in the grocery industry using these four key strategies. Let’s dive in.
1. Source Products Locally
A major part of sustainability in the grocery industry has to do with where your goods come from and how they’re produced.
Sustainability-minded customers are looking for produce and meats farmed locally using ethical, environmentally friendly practices. This is especially true if your store specializes in organic or natural products, since health-conscious shoppers are often planet-conscious as well.
To start your locally sourced grocery journey, research family-owned farms in your area, and ask them to stock your store with a small selection of seasonal produce.
Use eye-catching signage to explain how the produce was grown nearby and why purchasing seasonal, locally-farmed products is a more sustainable option.
If your customers gravitate toward this display and prefer the seasonal produce over your usual offerings, you can make a larger adjustment to your inventory strategy and stock a wider range of locally produced goods.
2. Launch a Bring Your Own Container Program
Another on-trend way to stay up to date with sustainability in the grocery industry is to launch a “bring your own” (BYO) container policy and encourage your shoppers to refill reusable containers with their grocery staples.
This policy works well if your store sells products like granola, rice, or dried beans in bulk. When customers stop by to restock these items, they can simply refill a jar from home instead of using a new, disposable container.
A successful BYO container program requires your POS system to integrate with an accurate scale for weight-based sales, so make sure you have the right hardware and software before implementing this policy.
To entice your shoppers to bring their own containers, consider offering a discount or charging for your store’s provided containers. Similarly, if you’re hoping to reduce the use of plastic or paper bags in your store, you can give your customers a discount in exchange for bringing their own shopping bags or begin charging a small fee for disposable ones.
Stocking and selling airtight containers in several sizes and spacious reusable shopping bags gives sales an extra boost and makes it easier for customers to opt for the sustainable choice.
3. Revamp Your Inventory Management Strategy
Wilted produce and expired meat cut into your grocery store’s profits, but they’re also detrimental to the environment.
That’s why inventory management is a crucial aspect of sustainability in the grocery industry. Preventing waste is one of the most effective ways you can care for the planet as a grocer, so let’s look at some best practices for stocking your store sustainably:
- Leverage grocery inventory management software to track your stock levels in real time.
- Clearly label meat, dairy, cheese, and other perishable products with their pack and expiration dates.
- Implement a first in, first out approach when stocking to ensure products that have been on your shelves the longest sell first.
- Use your POS system’s sales reports to optimize your inventory strategy and stock more of what your customers want and less of what expires.
Once you’ve implemented these inventory management tips, track your waste-related shrinkage over time, note any decreases, and share your success story with customers to let them know that your grocery store takes sustainability seriously.
4. Educate Customers About Sustainability
Small businesses like yours are often ahead of the pack when it comes to trends like sustainability in the grocery industry, so your customers will look to you as a source of reliable information about how to make eco-friendly choices.
Here are a few ways to market your grocery store as a leader in sustainability and educate your customers about your sustainability efforts:
- Use attention-grabbing signage throughout your store to highlight locally sourced goods and planet-friendly products.
- Leverage social media to share your store’s sustainability practices and to give your customers quick tips for living more sustainably.
- Plan in-store events like recycling drives or composting workshops to create an environmentally-conscious community of customers.
Using these strategies to connect with your community and share about sustainability sets your store apart from the competition and makes customers feel good about their choice to shop with you.
Boost Sustainability and Sales in Your Grocery Store With Markt POS
Prioritizing sustainability has big benefits for your bottom line and the planet — but to reduce waste, implement a BYO container policy, and attract environmentally-conscious customers to your grocery store, you need the right tools.
Markt POS is an all-in-one POS system with robust inventory management tools, a seamless scale integration feature, and an insightful reporting suite that can help you take advantage of the sustainability trend in the grocery industry while elevating the customer experience and making more sales.
Learn more about how Markt POS can help you achieve your sales and sustainability goals by scheduling a personalized demo today.
