ACS

ACS have unveiled polling results that shed new light on key environmental issues affecting convenience retailers. The headline finding from the independently commissioned opinion polling of over 1000 people is that 59% of people think that local shops should charge for carrier bags.

ACS Chief Executive, James Lowman said: “Customer’s views and attitudes are changing; even very recently we could not have imagined that a majority of people would back a charge on carrier bags. Carrier bag waste is a problem that we can address and working together with customers we can achieve a dramatic reduction in their use and their impact.

“This poll shows how important it is that every retailer asks themselves how they can make their business greener and do so in a way that means they reap the benefits, not only in cost savings but in local marketing as well.

“This evidence is not sufficient to suggest that the introduction of charging for carrier bags is right for every business, but it does suggest that many more retailers can and should give it serious consideration.”

Key findings from the polling undertaken by GfK NOP in early April are:

o 59% of people think that local shops should charge for carrier bags
o 64% of people would be prepared to pay more for locally sourced product such as milk, bread and vegetables.
o 64% believe that people should use their car less when shopping, although 71% of men and only 57% of women
o However 64% of the same people asked opposed the introduction of parking charges at out of town supermarkets as a way of discouraging car use.

The polling was unveiled in detail today at ACS Summit 08, which focussed on Environment as one of its key themes. As part of the debate, delegates will hear about excellent green ideas and innovations from retailers in the sector, as well as hearing the challenging and inspiring views of Friends of the Earth supremo Tony Juniper.

Mr Lowman continued: “Consumers clearly have the right intentions when it comes to being greener in their shopping. What we will be exploring at Summit is how far we can go to match customer aspirations, and how much we can trust consumers to do as they say when it comes to changing the way they shop.”