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Green Products Equal Greenbacks

Not since the hey-day of the Incredible Hulk have the airways been so filled with the color "green". It seems that every night the news contains a story on Global Warming or Green Products. We are being deluged by a message…and so are your customers. Just what is causing this bombardment of the current "green awareness" issue? Could it be the rising gas prices, the shrinking habitat of polar bears, the intense hurricane seasons, or the stark realization that the earth's resources are being depleted? For whatever reason, retailers as well as entrepreneurs are jumping on the proverbial bandwagon to discover ways to become part of the solution… not part of the problem.

So, as members of the responsible business community and the human race, what should one do? Should you trade in your Hummer for a Prius? Turn off your electricity and operate on solar power? Eat only food that is grown in your backyard? Hug a tree? You may not have to go to these extremes; there are some relatively minor steps you can utilize that will benefit both the environment and your profits.

As responsible retailers and business owners, we all need to become proactive in the Global Warming arena not only to improve our images with the consumer, but to increase our profits as well. So what can we do in order to accomplish these goals?

The answer is not to resist the trend, but to embrace it.

Today, more and more customers are shifting both their purchases and their loyalties to retailers who are traveling in the "green" direction. In turn, more and more retailers are joining the movement to provide their customers with the most eco-friendly products. Businessmen and women have to decide how "Going Green" will affect the bottom line. Is there a competitive threat being noticed if the choice is a negative one? How long will the current trend last? Is it here to stay, or is it just another cycle?

The most important advice is to develop a relationship with your customers. Inquire what items they would be interested in purchasing and then be able to provide them with these products. Remember, the idea is not about what YOU wish to sell, but it is about what the consumer ultimately wants to buy. If the public desires more organic baby products, find a supplier who will be able to produce these items for you. Attending a trade show is an effective way to discover new and exciting lines because there will be thousands of items to choose from. In fact, many venues will offer Green Product showcases.

By getting down to basics, your customers will realize that you are trying to contribute to the solution. Make your store environmentally friendly by making just a few simple changes.

We borrowed a skit from the David Letterman Show to illustrate what we suggest. Here is our list for the Top Ten Ways for Small Businesses to Go Green:

1. Buy Energy-Star rated light bulbs and fixtures which use at least two-thirds less energy than regular lighting. Install timers and motion sensors that will automatically shut off the light when it isn't needed.

2. Make it a habit to turn off your computer and power strip when you leave for the day.

3. Keep your store cool, not freezing, by raising the thermostat a few degrees.

4. Use and sell reusable cotton bags in your store.

5. Sell timely merchandise in your store. There are many examples of new products on the market that are associated with an eco-friendly theme.

6. Make it a policy to purchase office supplies, packaging materials, and bathroom supplies made from recycled materials.

7. Whenever possible, buy natural fabrics to sell in your store (organic, when economically feasible).

8. Refill computer ink cartridges rather than add them to the landfill.

9. Begin to use electronic invoices when billing your customers. It is easy to create a PDF invoice and then email it. The sent document now includes a date as verification in case anything is questioned.

10. Use suppliers who are aware of the environmental issues, preferably small businesses as well.

Your efforts will definitely be reflected in your dividends. The consumers will leave your store with a positive impression of both you and your business. People have many choices as to where to shop for baby merchandise. They may be more likely to frequent a store that is involved in ways to help save the planet for future generations as opposed to a large, impersonal chain store.

Contained in a famous book, All Marketers are Liars, The Power of Telling Authentic Stories in a Low Trust World, author Seth Godin states the following premise: "Successful marketers don't talk about features or even benefits; instead, they tell a story we want to believe." The current feel-good story is about Global Warming and the theory that those who accept it and play an active part in it will emerge as the victors. Obviously, no one loses if we conserve our natural resources.

Everyone will benefit by calling an attention to this issue. Global Warming is more than a passing trend: it is realization and acceptance. Politics, religion, and personal philosophies must take a backseat when considering the ramifications of neglect and ignorance.

We must all cooperate as inhabitants of our planet in order to secure it for our future generations.

Article provided by Planet Butterfly USA Inc, a socially-conscious company. We are attempting to minimize our footprints on the environment by donating a portion of the profits from the sale of the Polar Bear line to various wildlife and conservation groups.