Lexington, Ky. - Will offering more eco-friendly products bring more green to your business? It depends on who you ask. There is conflicting research about consumer attitudes toward eco-friendly products, but some who sell these products say demand is up. Others say they've had very few requests for eco-friendly products, and when consumers learn that in some cases, the cost is higher, their interest quickly wanes.
A survey by Yankelovich, a company that studies consumer values and behaviors, reported that 34 percent of consumers over age 16 say they are much more concerned about the environment than they were a year ago. The president of Yankelovich, J. Walker Smith, determined that although consumers are very aware of environmental issues, going green is not a high priority or a big concern for most.
On the flip side, a survey conducted by Yahoo cited by Adweek.com said 77 percent of consumers identify themselves as "green." Some question the results of this study, which was conducted in Los Angeles, Portland and Chicago - - areas that may not be considered representative of the country as a whole.
Here are some facts about the demand for Earth-friendly products. Sales of non-food organic items, like clothing and linens, nearly doubled from 2003 to 2005, according to The Boston Globe. Some of the items in this category are made from soy, bamboo and organic cotton. Global production of organic cotton increased by 53 percent in 2006 to meet consumer demand, according to the Organic Exchange.
Demand is growing in the organic food market as well. According to the Organic Trade Association, sales increased from $1 billion in 1990 to $20 billion in 2007.
Locally, Good Foods Market & Cafe has been the beneficiary of increased sales. Anne Hopkins, the general manager, said local, organic products are flying off the shelves. She acknowledges that some organic products are more costly, and here's why: