CONSUMER NEWS

CONSUMER PASSION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY GROWS AFTER COVID.

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC CONTINUES TO SHAPE LIFESTYLE BEHAVIOURS ACROSS THE GLOBE.

A new consumer study from Mastercard across 24 countries reveals 58% of adults are more mindful of their impact on the environment, and 85% said they’re willing to take personal action to combat environmental and sustainability challenges in 2021. AT A GLOBAL LEVEL, KEY TRENDS FROM THE RESEARCH INCLUDE: • MORE THAN HALF (54%) of those surveyed across the world believe it’s more important to reduce their own carbon footprint since COVID-19 • More than THREE IN FIVE (62%) say it’s now more important than before that companies behave in a more sustainable and eco-friendly way • Social media has increased awareness around environmental and climate change issues by 30% since the beginning of the pandemic The trend toward more conscious consumption has accelerated over the last decade, but changes in attitudes and actions have increased more rapidly as a direct result of the pandemic. As consumers across the globe call on companies and brands to behave in more sustainable and eco-friendly ways, global respondents also revealed that the top three issues they want companies and brands to focus on, in addition to dealing with the pandemic, are reducing waste (37%), reducing air and water pollution (35%), and tackling the issue of plastic pollution in packaging and products (35%). Since the Covid-19 pandemic forced many Australians to slow down during lockdown, a change in attitude has become apparent. Three in five Australians believe its more important than ever that businesses and brands do their part to help the environment, with 26 per cent of Generation Z already planning to stop buying from companies without an environmental plan in place. Two in five over 55’s, however, are planning to buy more locally produced brands, rather than international ones, following the impact of the pandemic. “Consumer behaviour among the different generations is clearly changing as people’s priorities shift,” said Mastercard’s Australasia division president Richard Wormald. “Many of the longer-term changes that are occurring as a result of Covid-19 are still being formed, giving organisations an opportunity to help shape the ‘next normal’.” According to Wormald, Mastercard’s research shows that Australians are coming to expect sustainable and environmental leadership from the brands they support, and that should businesses wish to continue interacting with these customers they need to show leadership on matters of sustainability.

READ MORE HERE

Mastercard Research

NEW

Biscuits inspired by

turn up the t V !

SWEET TREATS YOUR TEETH WILL LOVE

THE ADA HAS CREATED A TOOTH-FRIENDLY SWEET TREAT COOKBOOK, TOOTH-FRIENDLY TREATS.

It contains 20 recipes created and recommended by dentists as well as easyto-read information on oral health and sugar - including how to identify hidden sugars and read the Nutrition Information Panel on foods and drink labels. The recipes are not only tooth-friendly, but many are also vegan, nut-free, lactose-free and gluten-free as well. The recommended serving size and sugar content per serve and per 100g are included for each recipe. The cookbook can be purchased online from sites such as Booktopia or Kogan, for around $12. Profits from the sales are donated to the Australian Dental Health Foundation, which helps disadvantaged Australians access muchneed dental care. See the great Sesame Biscuit recipe on page 56.

G’DAY AUSTRALIA,

WE'RE

AussieMart.com.au

WE’RE AN ONLINE MARKETPLACE BUILT EXCLUSIVELY FOR AUSTRALIAN OWNED BUSINESSES TO PROMOTE THEIR AUSTRALIAN MADE PRODUCTS. OUR VISION IS TO MAKE IT EASY FOR LOCAL AND GLOBAL SHOPPERS TO BUY AND SUPPORT AUSTRALIAN MADE.

The Aussie Mart vision was formed more than 18 months ago after noticing a lack of scalable online marketplaces dedicated to promoting Aussie businesses and Aussie products. After a lot of research and user testing, Aussie Mart was born. Our small team of nine has worked tirelessly to build an ecosystem that creates opportunities for Australian businesses and consumers alike, enabling conscious decision making when shopping online for Aussie made goods.

AUSSIE MADE OR FOREIGN?

We all shop online, and never more so than over the past 12 months. With Aussies spending a whopping $50 billion online (up from the projected $32 billion), many Aussie businesses have struggled to compete with global giants such as Amazon and eBay, who have snatched up domestic sales with foreign products and taken the profits out of Australia. Here at Aussie Mart, we believe every Australian business deserves to be seen and heard. Aussie Mart benefits Aussie families every step of the way, from manufacturing, to sales, right down to delivery to your doorstep. When you buy Aussie made, you’re supporting fellow Aussies, meaning the revenue stays in Australia and helps build brighter communities. Every transaction on Aussie Mart helps generate further exposure for Aussie businesses. We are passionate about reinvesting ou r revenue into platform

marketing efforts to generate additional sales for Aussie businesses. Our revenue model helps support Aussie families, driving our mission to create a positive, rewarding ecosystem focussed on supporting local businesses and manufacturing right here in Australia. We would love to see Aussies get behind our vision for an all-Australian marketplace. Yet to become the search engine for Aussie Made products and produce, we need your help Australia.

FOR BUYERS

Join Aussie Mart today and start shopping for Australian made products. All products on our marketplace have Australian content and go through a thorough vetting process.

FOR SELLERS

Aussie Mart invites all Australian businesses that manufacture, produce, or assemble here in Australia to join our budding ecosystem. Registration is free and simple. Together, we can make a difference and positively impact millions of Australians.

Serving suggestion

SIMPLE MUSHROOM RISOTTO

INGREDIENTS 2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, finely diced 300g white cup mushrooms, sliced 2 cups Arborio rice 1L (4 cups) Campbell’s Real Stock Chicken 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan

Parsley to serve

PREPARATION Step 1 Heat oil in a large frypan on medium heat. Cook onion for 1-2 mins until softened. Add mushrooms and cook for 3 minutes. Add rice and cook for a further minute or until rice is coated. Add Campbell’s Real Stock, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring continually, making sure all the liquid is absorbed before adding the next 1/2 cup. Continue until all the stock has been absorbed.

Continue for about 20 minutes or until rice is tender and the risotto has a creamy texture.

Remove from heat and stir through grated parmesan and chopped parsley.

Step 2

Step 3

CONNECT WITH NATURE AND YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY FOR NATIONAL TREE DAY

NATIONAL TREE DAY, PROUDLY SPONSORED BY TOYOTA AUSTRALIA, IS THIS YEAR CELEBRATING A QUARTER CENTURY OF HELPING AUSTRALIANS CONNECT WITH THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY AND DO SOMETHING GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT: PLANT A TREE! FOUNDED IN 1996 BY PLANET ARK, NATIONAL TREE DAY HAS GROWN INTO AUSTRALIA'S LARGEST COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING AND NATURE PROTECTION EVENT.

We strive to see over one million new trees, shrubs and grasses planted each year, with National Tree Day acting as a call to action for all Australians to put their hands in the earth and give back to their community. On an annual basis about 300,000 people volunteer their time to engage in environmental activities that bring people into nature and teach both children and adults about the world around them.

After the disappointment of public planting events getting cancelled last year due to the impact of COVID-19, we are looking forward to kicking off National Tree Day bigger and better than ever in 2021. All events will be COVID safe and comply with ongoing physical distancing rules.

We hope all Australians can join us on National Tree Day to venture outdoors, do something good for the environment, get to know your community and, most importantly, have fun! To volunteer at a tree-planting or register one of your own, visit treeday.planetark.org