Leverage Points for Sustainable, Innovative Logistics Considering Consumer Lifestyles

Abstract

This article addresses the interrelations between the perpetual growth of the logistics industry and logistics services on the one hand and changing consumption behaviors and lifestyles on the other. More specifically, we look at how consumption patterns can influence the development and expansion of sustainable logistics structures and services along the supply chain of products found in conventional grocery stores and fashion products distributed through online retailing.

Through horizon scanning and qualitative expert interviews, we developed potential approaches for increasing sustainability in the logistics industry with respect to consumption behaviors. Integrating logistics into the “container” of sustainability, integrating (more) sharing economy elements into logistics services, and taking advantage of existing areas of consumer awareness, such as regional products, for promoting sustainable logistics to end users are only some examples for potential approaches.

Appendix

Interview Guideline Semi-Structured Qualitative Interviews

Block 1: Introduction

• 1. Presentation of the interviewer

  • Reason for the interview

  • Data handling

  • Request for permission to record the conversation

• 2. Information about the interviewee

  • Request to introduce themselves (organization, area, role, connection to the topic)

• 3. Explanation of the research framework (Fig. 3.1)

Fig. 3.1

Research framework

Logistics include all areas of transport, storage, and packaging. It is included in all steps of the supply chain, including the ones from production to the store or mail-order firm, as well as those of the last mile, i.e., how the product reaches the customer from the retailer. Also included are all steps beyond that, namely, those of the “reverse logistics” referring to product returns.

Within the scope of this research, we consider the logistics along the supply chain of food, purchased in supermarkets, and that of last mile of textile logistics purchased online.

Block 2: Sustainable Consumption/Consumers

Sustainability Hot Spots

• 4. Which are to most important sustainability hot spots (problem areas) related to logistics in

  • Stationary retail

  • Online shopping

Consumer Awareness

• 5. Does the consumer have an understanding of the problem regarding the ecological and social dimensions in the logistics of products which they purchase in retail stores?

  • If yes, how has this understanding emerged and how does it manifest itself?

  • Is the situation different for food purchases in the supermarket?

• 6. Does the consumer have an understanding of the problem regarding the ecological and social dimensions in the logistics of mail-order products which they purchase online?

  • If yes, how has this understanding emerged and how does it manifest itself?

  • Is the situation different for online retailing of textiles?

• 7. Do concerns about sustainability aspects (related to logistics) influence the buying decision in

  • Stationary retail

  • Online shopping

Block 3: Possible solutions

• 8. Which possible solutions are available for products with sustainable logistics in stationary retail?

  • General (ecological and social)

  • Approaches on the product level

  • Approaches on the company level

  • Approaches initiated by consumers

• 9. Which possible solutions are available for sustainable distribution in online retail?

Block 4: Trends

• 10. Open conversation about different trends and their assessment

• 11. Which information would the consumer like to receive about their purchases in the future?

• 12. How will the consumer interact with businesses regarding their sustainability activities in the future?

• 13. How many and what kind of products will the consumer order online in the future?

• 14. What will the consumer pay attention to when ordering online in the future?

• 15. How will the relation between stationary retail and online retail develop?

Block 5: Trends and Possible Solutions: Sharing Economy

• 16. Which approaches of the sharing economy regarding online retail are you aware of?

  • How would you assess the potential of these trends to spread?

  • How would you assess the sustainability potential of these trends?

• 17. Which approaches of the sharing economy with regard to stationary retail are you aware of?

  • How would you assess the potential of these trends to spread?

  • How would you assess the sustainability potential of these trends?