Australian Supermarkets Research Articles

Non-core food impacts: Measuring children's exposure to non-core food television advertising in Adelaide, South Australia and the impact of self-regulatory industry initiatives

Netherlands, UK, Canada and the USA (US and UK data to be available by mid-2012). In each nation, the same audit tool was used to assess the amount of shelf-space dedicated to soft drinks, chocolate, confectionery and crisps. Placement at checkouts and end-of-aisle displays of these items was also assessed. Results: Sizeable cross-national differences in the availability of snack foods between countries were apparent. Adjusted for store size, Australian supermarkets had the greatest amount of shelf space dedicated to all snack foods combined (40.4m). When items were analysed separately Australian supermarkets stocked the most soft drinks and chocolate whilst Swedish stores had greater shelf space of confectionery and crisps. The percent of register displays and end-of-aisle displays containing snack foods were highest in Australia (97% and 38%, respectively) and lowest in the Netherlands (40% and 17%, respectively). Conclusions: We have demonstrated large intercountry variation in the display of energy-dense snack foods by major supermarkets chains. This international study can help inform the debate surrounding the display and availability of unhealthy items within supermarkets.

Brand, value and relationship equities and loyalty-intentions in the Australian supermarket industry

The current study advances the emergent literature pertaining to the impacts of brand, value and relationship equities on consumer loyalty-intentions along three major fronts. First, key inter-relationships among the equities are examined; thus advancing theory. Second, procedural advancement occurs via examining the hypothesised effects after controlling for several demographic covariates. Third, the current study presents an aggregate level and a firm level analysis, providing additional insight. The chosen supermarket scenario also adds value to the study. A large national survey of supermarket consumers supports the hypotheses. Micro level analysis reveals that Woolworths does best in leveraging value-equity, Coles does best in leveraging brand-equity, while IGA does best in leveraging relationship-equity. Overall, the study makes important theoretical and managerial contributions to the literature.

Grocery product pricing and Australian supermarket consumers: gender differences in perceived importance levels

Grocery shopping is an essential and routine activity. Although long regarded the responsibility of the female spouse, modern social and demographic shifts are causing men to become more engaged in this task. This is the first study to analyse gender differences with respect to the criterion of grocery product price within an Australian supermarket retail environment. A stratified sample of 140 male and 140 female grocery shoppers was surveyed. Results showed that men considered price attributes of products as being significantly lower in importance than did women. Additionally, men displayed lower levels of price involvement, reported referencing shelf price to a lesser extent, and gave lesser consideration to promotional tactics focusing on low price. Although men on average buy fewer items than do women, they spend more money for each item they purchase. This higher expenditure per item appears to be driven, at least in part, by a lack of price referencing. This research has implications for gender studies and consumer behaviour disciplines in relation to grocery shopping.

A Menagerie of Promotional Characters: Promoting Food to Children through Food Packaging

Objective To determine the extent to which (1) promotional characters are used on food packaging for healthful and less-healthful food and (2) different companies use this persuasive marketing strategy. Design Cross-sectional supermarket audit of all food and beverages featuring promotional characters on the packaging. Setting Three Australian supermarket chains. Variables Measured Frequency of observed products, package size, nutritional composition. Analysis Frequencies and bivariate analyses was conducted. Nutritional composition (healthful vs less healthful) was analyzed by character type and company type, that is, whether the company was signed to the Australian Food and Grocery Council Responsible Marketing to Children Initiative (RMCI) signatory. Results Products featuring promotional characters on packaging (n = 352) were predominantly less-healthful food and beverages (76%). Nutritional composition varied significantly by character type, with 69% of products with sportspersons, celebrities, or movie tie-ins being healthful, compared with 48% of licensed and 21% of company-owned characters. Only 13 of the 75 companies using characters on packaging were RMCI signatory. Conclusions and Implications Promotional characters are largely used on food packaging to promote less-healthful food to children. Most of these characters are company-owned characters that are not subject to any form of regulation in Australia. Further efforts to limit this form of marketing to children are required.

Comparison of reported nutrients and serve size between private label products and branded products in Australian supermarkets

AbstractAim: To compare the reported content of key nutrients related to cardiovascular health (energy, total fat, saturated fat and sodium) between Private Label and Branded products for various food categories in Australian supermarkets, using Nutrition Information Panel data. Reported serve size was also assessed.Methods: A cross‐sectional study using selected Nutrition Information Panel data collected during 2006–2008 for 25 food categories, across 10 Australian supermarkets. Collected data included serve size and nutrients per 100 g: energy, total fat, saturated fat and sodium. Differences between Private Label versus Branded products were assessed using independent samples t‐test.Results: Data were collected for 3204 products; Private Label products accounted for 26% (n = 824). Serve size was significantly different between Private Label and Branded for seven categories. Total and saturated fat for Private Label products was significantly greater (than Branded) for five and seven categories, respectively. Sodium was significantly different between Private Label and Branded for seven categories, with no consistency in direction.Conclusion: Differences between Branded and Private Label products were food category specific. The present study provides a first‐time comparison of a comprehensive sample of Branded versus Private Label products, across multiple food categories, in Australia with respect to nutrients related to cardiovascular health. It also provides insight into serve size differences, and may be used as a baseline for future comparisons of nutritional content and serve sizes between Branded and Private Label products, and to monitor the impact of potential new food product developments and reformulations.

Climate Change and the Contemporary Evolution of Foodways

Climate Change and the Contemporary Evolution of Foodways

Arsenic levels in rice grain and assessment of daily dietary intake of arsenic from rice in arsenic-contaminated regions of Bangladesh—implications to groundwater irrigation

Chronic exposure to arsenic (As) causes significant human health effects, including various cancers and skin disorders. Naturally elevated concentrations of As have been detected in the groundwater of Bangladesh. Dietary intake and drinking water are the major routes of As exposure for humans. The objectives of this study were to measure As concentrations in rice grain collected from households in As-affected villages of Bangladesh where groundwater is used for agricultural irrigation and to estimate the daily intake of As consumed by the villagers from rice. The median and mean total As contents in 214 rice grain samples were 131 and 143 microg/kg, respectively, with a range of 2-557 microg/kg (dry weight, dw). Arsenic concentrations in control rice samples imported from Pakistan and India and on sale in Australian supermarkets were significantly lower (p < 0.001) than in rice from contaminated areas. Daily dietary intake of As from rice was 56.4 microg for adults (males and females) while the total daily intake of As from rice and from drinking water was 888.4 and 706.4 microg for adult males and adult females, respectively. From our study, it appears that the villagers are consuming a significant amount of As from rice and drinking water. The results suggest that the communities in the villages studied are potentially at risk of suffering from arsenic-related diseases.

Equal

Equal

Industrially Produced trans Fat in Foods in Australia

AbstractSelected foods sampled from Australian supermarkets and fast food outlets were analyzed for trans fat (TF) content. The product with the highest amount of TF (6.3 g/100 g product) was a household shortening. The TF contents in spreads were remarkably low (average 0.5, range 0.2–1.3 g/100 g product) with only 3 out of 15 exceeding the maximum level (2.0 g/100 g fat) permitted in Denmark. Ready‐to‐eat French fries purchased from all but one (1.5 g/100 g product) fast food outlet contained generally low levels of TF (average 0.4, range 0.3–0.7 g/100 g product), and the majority of the outlets appeared to have used non‐hydrogenated vegetable oils for frying. Frozen French fries and ready‐to‐eat potato chips purchased from supermarkets were also low in TF (average 0.1 and 0.2 g/100 g product, respectively). So were the bakery products (biscuits, cakes, bread, cake and muffin mixes) except for croissants. However, 9 out of the 103 products tested would have been prohibited from sale in Denmark, while 25 and 12 products would have failed to qualify for ‘trans fat‐free’ claims according to the mandatory labeling regulations currently in force in Canada the USA, respectively.

The extent and nature of food promotion directed to children in Australian supermarkets

The aim of this study was to describe the nature and amount of sales promotion use on food packaging in selected Australian supermarkets, specifically those directed at children through the use of premium offers, such as giveaways and competitions, and cartoon and movie character promotions. The study also examined the promotion of healthy versus unhealthy foods. Nine supermarkets located across the metropolitan area of Sydney, Australia were surveyed to assess the extent and nature of food promotion directed at children. The number and types of promotions were measured within seven food categories: sweet biscuits, snack foods, confectionery, chips/savoury snacks, cereals, dairy snacks and ice cream. Any foods that utilized promotional tactics were categorized as either healthy or unhealthy, according to set criteria. The study found that within the seven food categories between 9 and 35% of food products used promotional tactics. The use of television, movie celebrities and cartoon characters for promotion was most common, making up 75% of all promotions. Giveaways accounted for 13% of all promotions. When used, giveaways were commonly used in conjunction with another promotional method. Data from this study also confirmed that 82% of all food promotions were for unhealthy foods and only 18% were used to promote healthy foods. However, for dairy snacks and ice cream the majority of promotions, 99 and 65%, respectively, were healthier choices. This was the first study to describe the extent and nature of food promotions used in supermarkets. The promotion of unhealthy foods in supermarkets is common and is one of the many factors contributing to today's obesity promoting environment. Further research is required to determine the impact of food promotions on children's dietary intake, and to determine the most effective ways to restrict the promotion of unhealthy foods.

CAN AUSTRALIAN HORTICULTURE SURVIVE AND MEET THE GLOBAL CHALLENGE?

Globalisation is having a major impact on the performance of Australian horticulture. Australia is highly vulnerable to cheap imports of many fresh and processed fruit and vegetable commodities. New and emerging crops may become increasingly important. Particularly threatened will be commodities that can be produced and/or stored all year round eg banana, apple, and pineapple. New postharvest storage and disinfestation techniques will exacerbate the problem. Imports from developing countries such as China, Chile and Brazil are cheaper because of their low costs of production. For example, labour costs in rural regions of China are about A$2 per day and a tray of stonefruit costs about A$3 to produce. Lower farm gates prices for Australian farmers are also being driven by consolidation in major Australian retail supermarket chains due to increasing pressure from international competitors. Farm share of the retail price has dropped from about 30% in the 1980s to less than 15-20% in 2003. Due to increasing costs of production, and falling or static returns, Australian farms are being forced to amalgamate to achieve economies of scale and to improve their efficiency of production. For example the number of potato farmers in the Fassifern Valley of Queensland has fallen from 480 to 50 in the past five years, while overall production has not changed. This trend is also well documented in the USA. Whilst globalisation poses a major threat, Australia also has opportunities to increase exports of counter-seasonal commodities such as low chill stonefruit, lychee, custard apple and sweet persimmon to Asia, where populations are becoming increasingly urbanised, and disposable incomes are increasing rapidly. Australian industries must become more organised, co-operative and competitive to access these markets. We suggest that this can be achieved through the formation of larger export clusters and companies, standardized packaging and QA systems, and an internationally recognised brand name e.g. Oz Brand. We discuss new strategies to improve the survival and competitiveness of Australian fruit and vegetable industries.

The three “big issues” for older supermarket shoppers

PurposeThe senior market is becoming more attractive as older consumers come to comprise a greater proportion of the population and control a greater proportion of national assets. The purpose of this study was to examine older shoppers' experiences in Australian supermarkets to identify the three issues of most concern to seniors and provide practical recommendations to managers.Design/methodology/approachSix focus groups yielded the three major issues which were then tested via a national telephone survey (n=505).FindingsThe major issues identified included the demeanour of supermarket employees, the functionality of shopping equipment (i.e. trolleys and baskets), and the appropriate placement of products on supermarket shelves. Respondents considered these issues to be personally relevant and important to seniors in general.Practical implicationsSupermarket managers should develop strategies to ensure staff are recruited and trained in such a fashion as to enable them to engage in satisfying interactions with older customers. Other areas requiring attention include thorough product stocking to prevent over‐reaching and the provision of well‐designed and functioning shopping aids in the form of trolleys and baskets. Further issues raised in the focus groups that are worthy of consideration by supermarket managers and other retailers are merchandise quality, adequate access to and within the store, in‐store amenities, home delivery options, seniors' discounts, and avoiding extended queuing. These service aspects appear to be of particular importance to older shoppers.Originality/valueThe findings support previous research that has highlighted the need for retailers to take seniors' needs into consideration in service provision.

FLESH BROWNING IN PINK LADY™ APPLES: RESEARCH RESULTS HAVE HELPED TO CHANGE MARKET SPECIFICATIONS FOR BLUSH COLOUR WHICH IS AN ADDED BONUS FOR GROWERS

ISHS International Conference Postharvest Unlimited Downunder 2004 FLESH BROWNING IN PINK LADY™ APPLES: RESEARCH RESULTS HAVE HELPED TO CHANGE MARKET SPECIFICATIONS FOR BLUSH COLOUR WHICH IS AN ADDED BONUS FOR GROWERS

Phenolic compounds in tea from Australian supermarkets

Phenolic compounds constitute 50–70% of tea water extract and are the main quality parameters for teas. Theaflavins (TF), thearubigins (TR) and theabrownins (TB) are the major polyphenols that determine the quality of black tea. These compounds were measured in 56 leaf teas and teabags sampled from Australian supermarkets in Queensland. The various quantities of TF, ranging from 0.29% to 1.25%, indicate a quality difference that exists among the teas studied. Low TF content in black tea may be due to over-fermenting and/or long periods of storage. The solubility of TR and TB from teabags ranged from 82% to 92%, indicating that the permeability of teabags was variable. Variable quantities of TF in Australian teas show instability and a tendency of TF to oxidize during storage. Total polyphenols in green teas ranged from 14% to 34%, indicating a large variation, which was not reflected in price. The solubility of total polyphenols from teabags has been proposed as a useful quality index of the filtering paper used for the teabags. This chemical analysis of phenolic compounds in commercial teas may be a potential tool for the quality control of Australian manufactured and imported teas in Australian markets.

Compositional analysis of teas from Australian supermarkets

Caffeine, total amino acids, water extract and moisture content are considered to be quality indicators for leaf teas and teabags. These analyses were examined in 20 leaf teas and 36 teabags sampled from Australian supermarkets. About 70% of the analysed samples showed a moisture content higher than the maximum accepted level, 6.5%, for tea storage and marketing by the tea industries and traders. Water appropriate extract of 15 samples out of 36 teabags was lower than that of the teas without teabags, which indicates that the quality of the paper used for teabags needs to be evaluated. Moreover, one of the black leaf tea samples was found to have a water extract below the lower limit of international standards. Four green and black teas of the same brand, claimed to contain less than 3% caffeine, were found to have 3–4%, the same as the other samples analysed in this study. The mean total contents of amino acids were 2.50% and 1.76% in black leaf teas and the teabags, respectively, whereas they were 3.44% and 2.28% in green leaf teas and the teabags, respectively. Furthermore, the weights of 28 teabags out of 36 samples were found to lie outside of the proposed ±2% variation accepted by the tea industries and traders, and 4 samples showed even larger variation, 10% being out of the proposed weights. This investigation also showed that the solubility of caffeine and water extract was affected by the permeability of teabags, whereas total amino acids were very variable. These results suggest that an efficient and practical quality control system for both imported and Australian-made teas in the Australian supermarkets should be developed, implemented and enforced. Chemical analysis should be a part of the system for establishing an objective assessment for the quality control.

Innovation and Strategy in the Australian Supermarket Industry

The Australian supermarket industry has gone through a number of significant structural changes over the past forty years. Most of these changes have been driven by a series of radical innovations, which have dramatically changed the competitive positions of the retailers. At each phase there has usually been one major supermarket chain that has taken the initiative and used innovation as the key driver to secure a competitive advantage. It has been the interplay between innovation and strategy that has shaped the supermarket industry. This interplay explains the past, but equally provides knowledge and insight for those retailers who wish to dominate the future.

Isoflavone content of infant foods and formulas.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the phytoestrogen content of different foods, formulas and drinks that may be consumed by infants during their first year of life in an attempt to define levels of exposure on different feeding regimens. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the levels of genistein, daidzein, biochanin A, formononetin and equol in samples purchased from Australian supermarkets. Single lots of duplicate or triplicate samples of soy beverages, cow's milks, infant formulas and infant yoghurts were analysed. All foods tested contained isoflavones, at varying levels, suggesting that exposure to these compounds is almost ubiquitous. Casein-based infant formulas contained between 0.001 and 0.03 mg L(-1). Soy-based infant formulas ranged from 17.2 to 21.9 mg L(-1) with the values detected in yoghurt at similar levels to that of cow's milk. For comparison, the soy-based beverages (which are not recommended for use under 12 months of age) contained levels of isoflavones from 22.9 to 71.5 mg L(-1). Given the relatively broad choice of infant foods becoming available, exposure to dietary isoflavones during the first year of life is virtually ubiquitous. The exposure may be higher if soy infant formulas are consumed, however, the levels attained appear to fall within normal physiological boundaries.