Promotional Grocery Bags
Last week one of the trade publications I’m subscribed to, had an article about the significant increase in use of reusable grocery bags by shoppers. Because distributing a promotional product that people will use and appreciate is a smart way to use your advertising dollars, I’ve become a fan of these bags, recommending them a lot.
To me, it includes all 4 of what I call the 4 L’s of the ideal promotional product:
· Large imprint area to display your logo
· Likely to be used frequently on public places
· Long Lasting
· Low price point.
As an added benefit, they come in a wide variety of colors, they can be imprinted in full color and be ready to ship in 24 hours if needed.
As far as shoppers response to the plastic bag elimination, in April 2008, Whole Foods became the first U.S. supermarket chain to eliminate its use. A year later it reports that it has seen the use of reusable grocery bags triple. Most major supermarket chains and club stores, from Publix to Sam’s Club, have followed suit by offering inexpensive reusable bags. In a relatively short period of time, “green” bags have become something of a norm for many shoppers. “At first we wondered if shoppers would just switch to paper, but to our great surprise, people have been truly excited about using reusable bags,” says A.C. Gallo, co-president of Whole Foods Market.
This kind of effort is only likely to increase in the coming year with more than half of marketers claiming their companies will increase their sustainability initiatives this year, according to a survey conducted by the American Marketing Association.
Gallo says the effort is worth it because his company is helping its customers turn the green corner. “Our shoppers have been inspired to make a positive environmental change and have really incorporated the reusable bag mindset into their lives.”
Incorporating grocery bags into your marketing mix will present your company as environmentally responsible while working for your brand very effectively as a walking billboard.
