When shopping, Austrians value products that last. Regional origin and sustainable products are also important to the majority, according to a survey by the Ministry of Social Affairs.
For 80 percent of the 1800 respondents, longevity is a decisive purchasing criterion, 71 percent find regional origin crucial. About six in ten respondents (61 percent) value sustainable products. According to their own account, the majority (69 percent) shop on online platforms, which is more than twice as much as ten years ago. About a third (30 percent) get information about products on social media. However, with contracts concluded online, there are always legal questions and disputes.
Rauch: Desire for clear rules
“Consumers want clear legal requirements so they can trust environmental statements,” said Social Affairs Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) of the results. The European Commission has already submitted several legislative proposals against greenwashing (misleading strategies for an environmentally friendly image without proper substantiation, memorandum), which it emphatically welcomes. It should become easier for consumers to see whether a product that is marketed in a climate-friendly way is really good for the climate and the environment.
Energy costs are a concern
Energy costs remain a major concern for many people. According to the survey by the Ministry of Social Affairs, three out of four households are currently trying to save energy – not only for cost reasons, but also for environmental reasons. Older people say they save electricity and gas more often than young people. Although the price of electricity and gas is assessed as negative, only six percent switched gas supplier. On the contrary, the mobile phone provider has changed.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
