Home topics news Credit: Mathias Reding News News Small businesses, big expectations: Study finds consumers prioritise DE&I, Security and Sustainability Yajush Gupta January 17, 2023 As consumers become more conscious of the issues surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), security, and sustainability, they are also becoming more selective about where they choose to spend their money. A new study from Mastercard, launched today, has found that these issues are playing a critical role in consumer purchasing decisions, particularly in Australia. The research found that 55 per cent of Australians are more likely to spend money with businesses that prioritise diversity, 59 per cent with businesses that prioritize sustainability, and 69 per cent with businesses that prioritize data security. These numbers indicate that consumers place a high value on DE&I, security, and sustainability when purchasing decisions. However, the study also revealed that businesses that don’t meet customer expectations in these areas are at risk of losing customers and revenue. But there is a silver lining, many Australian businesses are rising to the challenge and making a concerted effort to prioritise DE&I, security, and sustainability in 2023. The report on small businesses found that: Only 33 per cent of small businesses currently have a DE&I strategy in place, compared to 67 per cent of medium businesses and 74 per cent of large corporations. 42 per cent of small businesses report that their workplaces are fully accessible for workers with disabilities, compared to 72 per cent of medium businesses and 62 per cent