As consumers grapple with inflation, tariff uncertainty and a difficult macro-economic environment, they are prioritizing cost over brand loyalty. The overwhelming majority (77%) of consumers are actively changing their purchase behavior in response to price increases, according to EY’s “Future Consumer Index,” which surveyed more than 20,000 consumers across 26 countries. Slightly more than a third (34%) no longer consider brands when making purchasing decisions, with 54% of respondents only buying branded products when they are on sale. The increasing adoption of private label products is reshaping consumer perception, making store brands the preferred alternative to traditional branded options — 67% say private label satisfies their needs just as well as branded products. Thirty percent of respondents say they no longer consider brands at all when making purchasing decisions.

Why Marketing with Sustainability is a Must: Consumers today demand more than great products—they want brands that reflect their values. A Nielsen report found that 73% of global consumers are willing to change their consumption habits to reduce environmental impact. By integrating sustainability into your marketing strategy, you can build trust, foster loyalty, and drive growth while making a meaningful impact. This quick guide explores how to align your marketing efforts with sustainability practices to gain a competitive edge and connect with the modern conscious consumer.

What’s that sound you hear? It’s marketers gritting their teeth as they’re being asked to give up their precious advertising dollars to help insulate their brands from the looming recession. Or you may have heard the marketers or agencies say “Let’s only focus on hardworking media,” which typically means lower-funnel, digital-only, highly targeted, easily measurable, promotional campaigns designed to boost short-term sales and eliminate “waste.” They’re all part of the marketer’s recession playbook. But should they be? In reality, we should all consider a different path forward: Now is an opportune timeto shore up brand awareness and loyalty by increasing media investments with brand-building, mass-reaching, highly creative advertising campaigns.