Nielsen Survey: Pinoys are the most socially-conscious consumers in the world 

Filipinos are the most socially-conscious consumers among Southeast Asian neigbors who opt to buy products and services from companies that are active and committed to social and environmental responsibility, survey results released by Nielsen on Tuesday showed. 

 

“Consumers in these markets are looking for brands which are committed to supporting local communities and improving the state of the environment. Brands should act fast to address this rising demand,” Stuart Jamieson, Nielsen managing director in the Philippines, said in a statement. 

 

According to the Nielsen Global Survey of Corporate Social Responsibility, Filipino consumers ranked highest in terms of willingness to pay extra for products and services of companies active in corporate social responsibility.

 

Nielsen polled 30,000 consumers in 60 countries between February 17 and March 7.

 

“We see the strongest propensity to buy socially and environmentally responsible brands from consumers in emerging markets such as the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand where consumers face extreme levels of poverty and frequent encounters with natural and environmental disasters," Jamieson said.

 

The survey also showed consumers also adjust their purchasing habits to support brands which are making a genuine effort in social and environmental causes.

 

In the past six months, 76 percent of Filipinos bought one product or service because it was manufactured by a company committed to social and environmental cause.

 

Filipinos were followed by Vietnamese at 68 percent, Thais (66 percent), Indonesians (61 percent), Malaysians (49 percent) and Singaporeans (48 percent).

 

Filipinos also ranked highest when it comes to checking the product packaging before making a purchase.

 

The survey showed more than eight in 10 or 82 percent of Filipino consumers check product packaging first, followed by Vietnamese with 73 percent, Thais with 69 percent, Indonesians with 63 percent, Malaysians with 56 percent and Singaporeans with 48 percent.

 

“Consumers are highly influenced and informed by packaging when it comes to recognizing socially and environmentally conscious brands,” Jamieson said.

 

“To help consumers in their purchasing decisions, brand owners need to clearly state their position on and commitment to such causes,” he added. – Danessa O. Rivera/VS, GMA News