All businesses are focusing on sustainability practices and techniques that aim at reducing the negative impact on the environment, and actively trying to incorporate eco-friendly practices. Due to the rising awareness of sustainability among consumers, a lot of store owners are switching to biodegradable packing, reusable bags, and bulk buying to cut down on the use of plastic. Some stores have opened refill stations for staple products like rice, lentils, and cooking oil where customers can come with their containers and reduce packaging waste. Moreover, a lot of general stores now stock goods like organic and locally produced items which helps small-scale farmers while at the same time reducing the carbon footprints from long-distance transportation.  The use of LED bulbs and solar-powered systems are now being used in a bid to cut down on ... electricity consumption. There is also a shift in the sale of personal care products where free-of-chemical detergents and bamboo toothbrushes are being used. Some general stores have also partnered with recycling programs that incentivize the return of plastic bottles and other packaging materials by offering discounts towards future purchases. Teaching the customers how beneficial sustainable shopping and eco-conscious product alternatives improve the stores image while at the same time enhancing customer trust.

In their business model, general stores support eco-friendly practices and also help in conserving the environment. This attracts a new category of consumers who are concerned about nature. General stores that shift to green practices will have an advantage over their competitors when it comes to retailing.