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1 – 10 of over 2000
Article
Publication date: 1 April 2002

Giovanni La Via, Antonio and Nucifora

This paper investigates the marketing and pricing policies for traditional and organic fruit and vegetable products of large food retailers in four European countries by means of…

2475

Abstract

This paper investigates the marketing and pricing policies for traditional and organic fruit and vegetable products of large food retailers in four European countries by means of a survey of 47 stores, including all major food retail chains. Data have been analysed to investigate what determines the presence of organic products, the extent to which the price mark‐up between traditional and organic products depends on the inherent quality of organic products rather than on the amount of extra service and information often associated with these products, and the importance of country location within the single European market in determining the characteristics of the retail outlets. The results of the econometric analysis indicate that the size, location and overall quality of the outlet, and the degree of product information and customer service are the variables which best predict the choice to sell organic products. Also, the results indicate that almost half of the price mark‐up between traditional and organic products is explained by store characteristics and the amount of extra service and information provided with these products.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 104 no. 3/4/5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 30 September 2021

Hoang Nguyen, Van Kiem Pham and Thanh Tu Phan

Based on a sample of 308 enterprises, this paper studies the determinants of export organic supply chain performance. The results indicate seven positive determinants that…

Abstract

Based on a sample of 308 enterprises, this paper studies the determinants of export organic supply chain performance. The results indicate seven positive determinants that influence positively the supply chain performance, including: (i) need-satisfying ability (NSA), (ii) relationship management, (iii) information management, (iv) quality management, (v) coordination and cooperation mechanisms, (vi) operation management, and (vii) marketing strategy of the export organic supply chain. In contrast, the differentiated segmentation strategy and cost strategy have no impact on the export organic supply chain performance.

Details

Journal of International Logistics and Trade, vol. 19 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1738-2122

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 October 2011

Jos Bartels and Isabelle van den Berg

This study aims to focus on how to capitalise on the natural and logical alliance of nutrients in the marketing of fresh fruit and vegetables.

1491

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to focus on how to capitalise on the natural and logical alliance of nutrients in the marketing of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Design/methodology/approach

A Dutch survey study was carried out among a representative sample of the Dutch population (n=492). Respondents filled out a questionnaire on: perceptions of fresh fruit and vegetables; interest in, knowledge of, and trust in, antioxidants and fresh fruit and vegetables; domain‐specific innovativeness and social identification; means of communication; and information‐seeking and buying behaviour.

Findings

Based on consumption patterns, respondents were divided into non‐, light and heavy organic food users. Results show that there are significant differences between the three consumer groups on domain specific innovativeness, social identification and attitudes towards antioxidants in fresh fruit and vegetables.

Practical implications

Non‐users of organic food are difficult to reach with communication regarding nutrients and organic produce, in contrast to light and heavy users. Light users could be triggered by more peripheral message cues, while heavy users are more sensitive to the content of the message. Differentiated strategies for light and heavy users of organic food should be developed in order to effectively communicate the added value of nutrients in fresh fruit and vegetables.

Originality/value

This study is the first to examine the role of domain specific innovativeness and social identification in attitudes towards antioxidants in fresh fruit and vegetables. The empirical findings from this study are expected to benefit the continued development on health communication messages.

Article
Publication date: 3 August 2012

Carolyn Dimitri and Rachael L. Dettmann

The organic trade literature in the USA makes strong claims about the relationship between income, ethnicity, and other factors and the likelihood of purchasing organic food…

7966

Abstract

Purpose

The organic trade literature in the USA makes strong claims about the relationship between income, ethnicity, and other factors and the likelihood of purchasing organic food products. However, previous economic research focusing on the socio‐economic characteristics of organic food consumers yields mixed findings. One explanation for the literature's inconsistent findings is that most studies rely on one specific product or one region of the country, or base their analysis on data collected from in‐store surveys. Another shortcoming in the existing literature is the failure to account for how access to organic food influences the likelihood of buying organic food. This paper's goal is to identify what is known, as well as what is not known, about consumers of organic food.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper extends the literature through the combination of a novel approach and unique dataset of US consumers, and addresses the relationship between demographic traits and the likelihood of buying organic food. The dataset consists of primary data recording all purchases of food as well as household demographic data, such as income, education, gender, and ethnicity, over a one‐year period for 44,000 households. The study uses different discrete choice models and multiple product categories to explore the likelihood of buying organic food from many angles, in order to assess the robustness of the statistical relationship between income, education, ethnicity, and other factors on the likelihood of buying organic food, as well as the frequency of buying organic food.

Findings

The results indicate that education has a strong effect on the likelihood of buying organic products, and that the impact of marital status, income, and access to organic are consistent across models. The findings also suggest that further research on the links between ethnicity and consumption of organic food is necessary.

Research limitations/implications

One possible drawback to this dataset is that older, urban households are overrepresented, in comparison to the entire USA.

Practical implications

These findings will appeal to those interested in consumer behavior in addition to those interested in organic food consumption, from both the research and trade perspectives. The research indicates that access to organic food is an important determinant of the likelihood of a household buying organic food, the industry in the USA can expand sales by increasing consumer access to organic food.

Originality/value

This paper's unique contribution is the exploration of the robustness of the impact of different factors on the likelihood of buying organic food. The inclusion of access to organic food is also new to the literature, and as expected, households with greater access to organic food are more likely to purchase organic food.

Article
Publication date: 1 August 2005

Susanne Padel and Carolyn Foster

The purpose of the paper is to explore the values that underlie consumers purchasing decisions of organic food.

53526

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to explore the values that underlie consumers purchasing decisions of organic food.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on data from focus groups and laddering interviews with a total of 181 regular and occasional consumers of organic food that were contrasted with survey results of other studies.

Findings

The results show that most consumers associate organic at first with vegetables and fruit and a healthy diet with organic products. Fruit and vegetables are also the first and in many cases only experience with buying organic product. The decision‐making process is complex and the importance of motives and barriers may vary between product categories.

Research limitations/implications

While further research would be required to facilitate full understanding of the consumer‐decision making process with regard to organic produce, this work indicates the complexity of the process and the likelihood of variation between different product categories. Future research should consider tradeoffs that consumers make between values and product as well as consumer segmentation.

Originality/value

Prior research concerning the consumer decision‐making process with regard to organically produced food is limited. Theses findings have implications for future sector‐based communications to consumers and, potentially, for product development and labelling.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 107 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2014

Laura Mørch Andersen and Thomas Bøker Lund

This article aims to investigate how sub-markets with different degrees of maturity develop during a period of general organic growth, and how different consumer segments behave…

1623

Abstract

Purpose

This article aims to investigate how sub-markets with different degrees of maturity develop during a period of general organic growth, and how different consumer segments behave on these sub-markets.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses actual purchasing behaviour of six consumer segments with different attitudes towards food in general, and organic production and products in particular. The data is from the Danish market for organic foods, which is one of the most mature markets in the world.

Findings

The segmentation splits consumers into a positive and a non-positive half, each half consisting of three different segments. The estimations show that the development in general organic consumption varies between segments, and that their behaviour varies between sub-markets. The positive half of the population has driven the overall growth in organic budget share at the Danish market over the period 2005 to 2007, while the other half have not changed their consumption significantly.

Practical implications

The results indicate that for the most dedicated organic consumers, the organic budget share may be approaching a saturation point for some types of food, but also identify other types of food which still have a growing organic budget share, even among the most dedicated consumers.

Originality/value

The combination of attitudes and actual behaviour for a large number of consumers is new, and the results provide a valuable contribution to the ongoing investigation of organic consumers, and provide new nuances to the understanding of the latest organic growth.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 116 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 1994

Gerardine Roddy, Cathal Cowan and George Hutchinson

Describes the current status of the organic food market in Ireland– current trading arrangements of wholesalers, distributors and retailersand the perceptions of organic food at…

6300

Abstract

Describes the current status of the organic food market in Ireland – current trading arrangements of wholesalers, distributors and retailers and the perceptions of organic food at different stages of the marketing chain. There are three certification bodies for organic foods in Ireland. The value of the market is estimated at IR£1.5 million. Fruit and vegetables are the most important organic foods. Other organic foods are available such as flour, grains, breakfast cereals, meat, yogurt and cheese. Organic foods can be purchased in some of the larger supermarkets, in healthfood/wholefood shops, at local markets or at farm gate. Some of the constraints to development of the industry are limited range and supply of products. Premium levels are also a constraint on development as consumers generally perceive organic products to be too expensive. Reports premiums charged on organic food and outlines the results of a focus group on organic foods.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 96 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 September 2009

Christine Hoefkens, Wim Verbeke, Joris Aertsens, Koen Mondelaers and John Van Camp

The present study aims to explore and compare consumer perception and scientific evidence related to food quality and food safety aspects of organic versus conventional vegetables.

3756

Abstract

Purpose

The present study aims to explore and compare consumer perception and scientific evidence related to food quality and food safety aspects of organic versus conventional vegetables.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data on consumer perception were gathered in 2006‐2007 through a consumer survey with Flemish adults (n=529) and compared with scientific evidence from literature. Consumers of organic and conventional vegetables were selected by means of a convenience sampling procedure. Subjects were asked to complete a self‐administered questionnaire concerning the perception of the nutritional and toxicological value of organic relative to conventional vegetables. Data processing and analysis included descriptive analysis (frequency distributions), data reduction (Cronbach's alpha test, factor analysis), bivariate analysis (correlations, t‐test, ANOVA) and multivariate analysis (stepwise multiple regression).

Findings

It was found that organic vegetables are perceived as containing less contaminants and more nutrients, and as such, being healthier and safer compared to conventional vegetables. However, not enough evidence is currently available in the literature to support or refute such a perception, indicating a certain mismatch between consumer perception and scientific evidence. The gap between perception and evidence is larger among older consumers with children. The perception is stronger when the consumption frequency is higher, but is independent of gender, place of residence (rural or urban), education and income level. Also non‐users, on average, perceive that organic vegetables have a nutritional and toxicological advantage over conventional vegetables.

Research limitations/implications

A non‐probability convenience sampling method was applied which limits generalisation of the findings beyond the sample characteristics.

Originality/value

This paper is original in comparing consumer perception and scientific facts related to both nutritional and safety aspects of organic versus conventional vegetables.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 111 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 2006

Anna Botonaki, Konstantinos Polymeros, Efthimia Tsakiridou and Konstantinos Mattas

The purpose of this paper is to examine consumer attitudes and behavior towards organic products and products produced under the system of integrated management (SIM) and to…

11414

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine consumer attitudes and behavior towards organic products and products produced under the system of integrated management (SIM) and to compare the socioeconomic characteristics and attitudes that affect consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) a premium for these two different certification systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on cross‐sectional data collected through a questionnaire survey. Respondents' attitudes towards the organic and SIM certification systems are examined. A principal component analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation was primarily applied to provide a more manageable set of variables relevant to attitudes. Those attitudes together with socioeconomic factors and variables relevant to respondents' motivations to food consumption were used for the estimation of the WTP for organic and SIM products.

Findings

Findings suggest that consumers' level of awareness and information towards the studied certification systems is rather low especially for SIM products. This can be mainly attributed to the inadequate promotion and the low availability of certified products in the Greek market. The study also reveals that the WTP for organic products is higher among consumers who place much importance on health, consume organic fruits/vegetables and get information about food/nutrition issues from doctors/nutritionists/health institutes and magazines. WTP for SIM products is affected mainly by married consumers, regular buyers of organic products and those who consume frequently fruits/vegetables.

Originality/value

This paper provides an outline of the level of awareness and trust of food quality certification systems by Greek consumers, a topic that has not been widely discussed in Greece. The findings can help all the involved bodies to avoid the impediments and develop an adequate marketing strategy for the effective promotion of certified food products.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 108 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 2005

Athanasios Krystallis and George Chryssohoidis

Seeks to provide answers to two questions: is willingness to pay (WTP) for organic products influenced by the same set of factors that affect purchasing of conventional foods…

28438

Abstract

Purpose

Seeks to provide answers to two questions: is willingness to pay (WTP) for organic products influenced by the same set of factors that affect purchasing of conventional foods? Does WTP for organic products vary according to different food categories?

Design/methodology/approach

Purchasers were approached during their food shopping in retail chains in Athens in July 2003. Sample inclusion is based on real awareness of the term “organic”. The questionnaire included in its first part a number of criteria that influence consumers when buying food. In the second part respondents were asked to indicate if any food products they buy were organic and to state how much more they were willing to pay. Information from the first part was analysed with factor analysis. With the help of t‐value analysis, it was examined whether there is a statistically significant difference per product category between consumers who are willing to pay and consumers who are unwilling to pay in terms of the factors identified.

Findings

Consumers' stated WTP and the type and magnitude of factors that affect it differ according to the organic food category. These factors include food quality and security, trust in the certification, and, for some products, brand name. Organoleptic characteristics, prices and consumers' socio‐demographic profiles do not constitute determinants of organic WTP.

Research limitations/implications

Organic types of some fresh as well as processed food products do not exist in the Greek market. Moreover, the large number of t‐tests conducted might result in Type I error.

Originality/value

Purchasing of organic food follows “basic‐highest frequency”, “basic‐average frequency”, and “non‐basic” discrimination. The most frequently consumed organic products are some basic components of the Greek diet. Only the factors “quality and security” and “trust” play an important role in defining WTP for most organic food categories. Consumers' attitudes towards both organic and PDO/PGI certifications converge towards a perception of high quality food. Approximately 26 percent of the sample exhibited a U‐shaped WTP trend for 14 out of 16 organic food categories in increments from 45 to 120 percent. All the above elements of originality are particularly valuable for organic food firms and policy/decision makers.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 107 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

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