FMCGs have a short shelf life, either as a result of high consumer demand or because the product deteriorates rapidly. Some FMCGs – such as meat, fruits and vegetables, dairy products and baked goods – are highly perishable. Other goods such as alcohol, toiletries, pre-packaged foods, soft drinks and cleaning products have high turnover rates.
The following are the main characteristics of FMCGs:
• From the consumers' perspective: o Frequent purchase o Low involvement (little or no effort to choose the item -- products with strong brand loyalty are exceptions to this rule) o Low price
• From the marketers' angle: o High volumes o Low contribution margins o Extensive distribution networks o High stock turnover
While green marketing came into prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s, it was first discussed much earlier. The American Marketing Association (AMA) held the first workshop on "Ecological Marketing" in 1975.
Green marketing incorporates a broad range of activities, including product modification, changes to the production process, packaging changes, as well as modifying advertising.
As a result there is a growing market for sustainable and socially responsible products and services.
It may be viewed as a specific type of socially conscious or socially responsible consumer behavior that involves an ‘environmentalist’ perspective and may thus be called ‘environmentally concerned consumption’. A classic definition describes ‘environmentally concerned consumers. Business organizations tend to concern about environments issues due to several reasons such as environmental pressure, governmental pressure, competitive pressure, cost or profit issues.