More and more consumers, especially the younger ones, are getting concerned about the sustainability and social responsibility of the brands they choose. There is one term that includes these two factors - corporate social responsibility (CSR).
In this article, let’s find out how e-commerce retailers can ensure this role in their businesses!
1. What Is CSR?
In general, CSR is when businesses integrate socially beneficial practices into their production process. CSR is usually divided into four types: environmental conservation, volunteerism, philanthropy, and human resource practices.
Take Disney for example. Its global commitment to donate $100 millions for children’s stay in hospitals for five years can make everyone please and admire them.
2. What Could CSR Bring To Businesses?
CSR does cost a large amount of money. However, what e-commerce businesses gain from CSR strategies are quite huge, including:
Excellent Reputation: Because of the good deeds you’ve done for society, your company will gain considerable public's exposure and praise. It is such a competitive advantage that not every business could easily attain.
Employee Loyalty: Treating human resources kindly is another part of CSR. If you create good jobs and encourage a moral culture in business, your employees will feel respected and therefore devote themselves more passionately.
Limited Financial Ramifications: Once you comply with both national and international laws (demonstrated by a self-regulatory process), you won’t be fined by administrators or gotten “under regulators’ radar screen”. That helps a lot in reducing legal expenses.
3. How Do We Implement CSR Into E-Commerce?
Website: You can lower the carbon footprint with your website first - make it more sustainable by getting rid of screen clutter, bettering navigation, or substituting videos with slide shows.
Packaging: Non-plastic, reusable, or less filler material are all examples of sustainable packaging which you can use to show your “green” attitude. For example, a company named LivingPackets has made recyclable packaging (picture below) that can replace tons of disposable packages.
Logistics: Small and medium businesses can use bulk shipping to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Customers will understand and sacrifice their express deliveries to limit the number of empty trips.
Charity: You can take a part of your profits to donate to humanitarian organizations that are fighting poverty, epidemics, or natural disasters. After that, proudly show it on the company website and thank the customers for supporting you and the whole society.
