Mintel says consumers turn away from "green" products during the recession

Consumer research from Mintel suggests that fewer people care about living green because of economic hardships.  According to the report, the number of Americans who claim to regularly buy green products is 36%. The figure has not changed since last year, after having tripled from 12% in 2007.

 As consumers have tightened their budgets due to the economic downturn, higher costs associated with the green products are a major obstacle for the green market’s growth.  The study finds that 54% respondents would purchase more green products if they were more affordable. A similar study by Mintel in October had stated that about 78% respondents would buy more organic food if the products were cheaper.

 Though the recession is expected to go deeper into 2009, Mintel has forecasted that green products will experience 19% growth through 2012. Green personal care and environmentally friendly household cleaners are especially likely to have increasing sales.Organic food segment is expected to experience a slow pacing growth during the next five years.

Mintel is a provider of consumer, product and media intelligence and has offices in Chicago, London, Belfast, Sydney, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Mintel.

 Source: Business Wire