Industry stalwarts discuss customer behaviour and trends

Customers, armed with smartphones and the internet, are shaping their own narratives. The era of passive consumption is giving way to a more engaged, informed, and discerning clientele.

There has been a rise of eCommerce. The convenience of a click-and-deliver economy has not only changed how consumers shop, but has also prompted businesses to reimagine their storefronts and customer experiences.

Modern consumers are choosing brands that resonate with their values. Sustainability, ethics, and social responsibility are not buzzwords but factors influencing purchasing decisions.

Adding to this, Yash Jaipuria, chief executive of Ginni Filaments said, “Sustainable purchasing has become a fundamental aspect of modern consumers' behaviour. With increasing awareness about product sourcing and its environmental consequences, consumers now actively research, read labels, and more to ensure their choices have minimal, if any, negative impact on the environment.”

Jaipuria said, “We employ Good Manufacturing Practices and create products using recycled materials to reduce our carbon footprint and waste generation. For instance, we manufacture wipes using recycled polyester fibres, giving discarded materials an extended life in the ecosystem. Additionally, we offer compostable and biodegradable wipes that leave no trace in the environment.”

Agile business models that can adapt to changing circumstances are proving to be more resilient and responsive to market needs.

On the subject, Vandana Tandan, head of markets - India and Bangladesh, SIG said, “The increasing awareness among consumers regarding sustainability has inspired a growing number of companies to develop innovative, dependable, and eco-friendly packaging solutions.” She added, “At SIG, we have ensured both our manufacturing process and final product are ideal for our customers and the environment. We are adopting energy-efficient manufacturing processes to remove more carbon than we are emitting, ensuring an overall reduction in the industry's carbon footprint.”

She said that the company is also working on aluminium-free packaging, making it a more sustainable alternative. “As an industry leader, we are also actively working to reduce food waste through measures such as portion control and optimised package sizes due to our flexibility advantage, another crucial aspect contributing to sustainability,” Tandan concluded.