The 2011 ASHS Annual Conference

Consumers increasingly place a greater emphasis on product packaging and this has carried over to the grower sector in the form of biodegradable pots. While various forms of these eco-friendly pots have been available for several years, their marketing appeal was limited due to their less-than-satisfying appearance. With the recent availability of more attractive biodegradable plant containers, a renewed interest in their suitability in the green industry and their consumer acceptance has emerged. The objective of this study was to determine the characteristics of biodegradable pots that consumers deem most desirable and to identify distinct consumer segments, thus allowing producers/businesses to more efficiently utilize their resources to offer specific product attributes to those who value them the most. We conducted a conjoint analysis through internet surveys with 535 valid observations from Texas, Michigan, Minnesota, and Indiana. Our results show that on average consumers like rice hull pots the most, followed by straw pots. Our analysis identified seven market segments and corresponding consumer profiles: “Rice Hull Likers,” “Straw Likers,” "Price Conscious,”  “Environmentally Conscious,”  “Carbon Sensitive,”  and “Non-Discriminating.” Idiosyncratic marketing strategies should be implemented by industry firms to market biodegradable containers to the identified consumer segments.