Supply Chain Challenge: How Can Retailers Encourage Environmentally Sustainable Consumer Behaviours in the Last Mile? A Systematic Literature Review

In supply chains, the focus on last-mile logistics, environmental sustainability, and consumer behaviour became a priority for an increasing number of companies. There is a growing trend towards encouraging environmentally sustainable consumer behaviours by means of retail incentives and sales tactics. Background: This article analyses the research literature at the intersection of three fields: sustainable last-mile logistics, sustainable consumer behaviour, and retail contributions to the development of environmentally sustainable behaviours among consumers. Methods: The article is a systematic review which is based on a framework that assesses the current state of the literature, as regards the theories, methodologies, research contexts, and characteristics of the topics under study. Results: Three conceptual frameworks are suggested to analyse the process of encouraging sustainable consumer behaviours, as well as the types of retail incentives and sales tactics that stimulate specific consumer behaviours. Conclusions: At present, the literature is in an emerging stage of development. Distinct conclusions are drawn about the theories, methodologies, contexts and characteristics of the studied topics. Given the rapid development of e-commerce, omnichannel retailing, and sustainability in logistics and supply chains, further advancements in research are anticipated. On this basis, the paper concludes with a detailed agenda for future research.