Evolution of Sustainable Shopping Worldwide in 2022: Key Insights from Statista

Sustainable shopping has witnessed a significant global shift in consumer behavior over recent years. According to a comprehensive survey conducted by Statista in partnership with Simon-Kucher & Partners surveying 11,711 respondents worldwide (aged 18 and older) between July and August 2022, more shoppers are prioritizing environmentally friendly products than ever before.

Growing Consumer Commitment to Sustainability

• Behavioral Shift: Over 60% of consumers reported adopting at least a modest change toward buying more sustainable products compared to five years prior.
  • 36% saw a modest change in their purchasing behavior.
  • 27% experienced a significant change, buying sustainably much more often.
  • Notably, 8% claimed they had completely turned their way of life around to be sustainable.
• Only 1% reported buying fewer environmentally sustainable products, while 10% saw no change.

Willingness to Pay a Sustainability Premium

• On average, consumers were willing to pay about 24% more for sustainably produced goods.
• This sustainability premium was notably higher among consumers with higher income levels, highlighting the role of disposable income in conscious spending.

Corporate Sustainability Initiatives

Many brands and companies have responded proactively to increasing consumer demand for sustainability by:

• Implementing programs to help customers easily recycle products.
• Measuring and publicly tracking their emissions and environmental impact.
• Integrating sustainable practices in production and supply chains to align with consumer expectations.

Conclusion

The 2022 data clearly highlights a strong and growing global consumer shift toward sustainability in shopping habits. With the majority willing to embrace environmentally friendly products—even at a higher cost—brands have a compelling opportunity to innovate in sustainability practices and communicate transparently to build trust and loyalty.

Sources & Methodology

• Survey: 11,711 global consumers, 18+ years old
• Survey Period: July 12 – August 2, 2022
• Conducted by: Statista in cooperation with Simon-Kucher & Partners
• Data Coverage: Global, various income segments

For brands and retailers aiming to thrive in the evolving market, understanding this shift is critical to developing authentic, sustainable offerings that resonate with eco-conscious consumers worldwide.

Design Delight Studio curates high-impact, authoritative insights into sustainable and organic product trends, helping conscious consumers and innovative brands stay ahead in a fast-evolving green economy.