In today's modern world, caring for the environment is more important than ever. People want to protect their planet so it's still thriving for their children and grandchildren, so they're turning to more sustainable practices in every aspect of their lives.
This includes the way they order goods. They no longer want the fastest, most energy-consuming method to get their items to them. Instead, they want the most sustainable and efficient way.
This growing need for sustainability in the direct-to-consumer industry means that many brands have had to introduce new practices. In this article, we'll dive into the best methods for DTC sustainable brands.
Direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands include selling products directly to the end customer, They don't have to worry about any third parties or middlemen getting in the middle of the supply chain, but instead sell their products straight from the source. These brands often make the most out of online channels such as websites and mobile apps to sell their items.
In the DTC industry, many customers want their products delivered as quickly as possible. There is an increasing demand for next day or even same day delivery. However, this often involves releasing a lot of carbon emissions and using the most energy-consuming delivery methods. But as the years go on, the demand for more sustainable delivery methods and practices within DTC brands is increasing, especially among the younger generation like Gen Z.
When a DTC business uses eco-friendly practices, it not only helps the environment but also increases its chances of brand loyalty from customers. Customers will opt to continue business with a brand they trust and know has good intentions rather than one that has made a bad name for itself by consuming a lot of energy during production or delivery.
Customers are switching to DTC brands that don't have land-based retail stores because e-commerce has been found to be more sustainable than traditional retail in more than 75% of scenarios developed by researchers. And while this is a good adjustment and making online shopping more popular, customers are still looking for the most sustainable brands to play their part in saving the planet. Due to this, brands need to consider other eco-friendly business practices that give them a competitive advantage.
The best practices for DTC sustainability don't just include the way they deliver the products to customers or to land-based stores. Eco-friendly packaging is also a massive aspect of building a quality brand that cares about the environment. This is because it doesn't just help reduce harm to the planet, but it also aligns with many consumer values.
Many traditional packaging methods used in the past have caused a lot of damage to the world around us. Much of the pollution and waste in the world can be attributed to materials that aren't recyclable or biodegradable, and a lot of brands use them in their packaging. That's why it's always best to opt for compostable packaging like plant-based bioplastics or recycled paper that minimizes environmental impact and can be used again and again. This not only reduces packaging waste but also takes away the need to develop excess packaging.
Sustainable product packaging also helps minimize transport emissions, often because they are designed to be more lightweight. This means you can place more packages on each truck or ship, reducing the need for more trips for the same amount of deliveries. It reduces your carbon footprint and ultimately provides a more positive impact and customer experience for your target market.
There are various other ways DTC companies can foster stronger relationships with their eco-conscious consumers. One of these is maintaining transparency throughout the entire supply chain. It shows all your customers everything you do as a brand, from sourcing your products and materials to the journey towards the end destination. It tells them you're taking corporate social responsibility and environmental responsibility without hiding anything from your customers.
When you show off all your sustainability goals and practices, you can build higher levels of trust between you and your target market. Customers can make more informed purchasing decisions by understanding how every aspect of your supply chain affects the environment.
While it might seem easy enough for DTC companies to show their international or American consumers every aspect of the supply chain, it does come with its challenges. The biggest one is that supply chains are extremely complex, so it can be hard to be completely transparent. There are multiple tiers that make up the supply chain, including various independent roles such as subcontractors and suppliers. It's not always possible to get permission from them to remain transparent.
However, you can always use various new technologies and schemes to enhance your supply chain transparency. There are the Fair Trade, Organic, and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification programs, which help ensure your brand remains compliant and upholds the highest standards to maintain accountability.
When focusing on sustainability, you need to ensure that your brand values match those of the consumer. You must use the consumer values and effectively align them with the strategies you use to become more eco-conscious. This includes things like not using plastic packaging and improving transparency, as we mentioned above, but it can also focus on things such as ethical production and environmental stewardship.
Both your business model and marketing strategy must prioritize sustainability in everything it does while also offering high-quality products to the consumer. They want to see evidence of what you're doing to make a change, and here are some of the best strategies for doing so:
Making your DTC brand more sustainable can seem like a lot of work, especially if you haven't introduced any eco-friendly practices yet. However, it brings out a lot of positive outcomes, including an increased customer base, more sales, and better consumer trust.
You don't need to worry about transforming your supply chain entirely with sustainable methods when you have a quality logistics company by yourself. Portless is a China-based 3PL provider that knows how to introduce the best eco-conscious practices into your DTC brand.
Get in touch with one of our experts today to get started.
