Local Shops Research Articles

Butea monosperma aided green synthesis of α-MoO3 nanoparticles: Biosensing and photocatalytic activity towards hazardous dyes and rangoli colorants

Increasing environmental pollutants and the need for efficient photocatalytic and biosensing materials have led to the development of novel green synthesis methods. In this study, MoO3 nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully synthesized by using green chemistry approach. In that respect, Butea monosperma leaf powder was used as a novel fuel. Structural parameters, optical properties, shape and morphology of MoO3 NPs are examined using XRD, FTIR, UV–Vis spectrophotometer, Photoluminescence (PL), SEM - EDAX and TEM analysis. The use of MoO3 NPs as a dusting agent in fingerprint applications results in improved fingerprint visibility, which is useful in forensic investigation. In this study, we modified the GCE electrode surface with MoO3 NPs to develop a highly sensitive dopamine (DA) sensor. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) were used to investigate the electrochemical behaviour and electrocatalytic property of the MoO3 NPs. The synthesized NPs have excellent performance for detection of highly sensitive biologically active DA. The sensor exhibits a low detection limit of 0.45 μM. Additionally, it shows good stability, simplicity, and selectivity for the rapid detection of DA. MoO3 NPs shows good photocatalytic activity under UV light for the degradation of important textile industries dye such as methylene blue (MB) and harmful rangoli colors which are available in local shops of Tumkur, Karnataka. The photocatalyst exhibits a remarkable 97 % degradation efficiency for MB dye. Coumarin studies ensure the effective generation of OH radicals on the surface of the photocatalyst, leading to the degradation of organic dyes. Additionally, the MoO3 NPs reusability was examined, and even after four cycles, the level of photocatalytic activity did not drop much. Therefore, it is a potential photocatalyst for the processing of organic colours.

Assessing Acceptability: The Role of Understanding Participant, Neighborhood, and Community Contextual Factors in Designing a Community-Tailored Cooking Intervention.

Cooking is an identified dietary strategy that is positively associated with optimal diet quality. Prior to initiating cooking interventions, evaluating the prospective acceptability of the intervention among community members living within low food access areas and understanding geospatial food shopping locations may aid in designing community-tailored interventions. A sequential mixed methods study was conducted to determine the prospective acceptability of a planned community-located cooking intervention among African American adults living in a low food access area and with at least one cardiovascular disease risk factor. A semi-structured guide was used to conduct five virtual focus groups. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis and validated through participant check-in interviews. Survey responses were analyzed based on descriptive data. Geospatial analysis of participant locations that were reported for food shopping was conducted to show food environment utilization. Focus groups with study participants (n = 20, all female, mean age 60.3, SD 9.3, mean cooking frequency per week 4.0, food insecure n = 7) were conducted between March and April, 2021. Thematic analysis of the focus group transcripts identified five main themes as follows: (A) Barriers to Cooking (family and caregiving, transportation, COVID-19 pandemic, time availability, household composition); (B) Motivators for Cooking (family, caregiving, health, enjoyment, COVID-19 pandemic); (C) Strategies (food shopping, social support, social media, meal planning); (D) Neighborhood (gentrification, perceived safety, stigmatization, disparities in grocery stores); (E) and Acceptability of the Intervention (reasons to participate, barriers, recruitment, intervention delivery). Participant validation interviews confirmed the themes and subthemes as well as the illustrative quotes. Geospatial analysis showed a majority of locations were outside of the participants' residential areas. Prospective acceptability of a community-tailored cooking intervention found that the planned intervention could be modified to address individual level factors, such as caregiving and health, community contextual factors, such as perceived safety, and the general health needs of the community.

Ion chromatographic quantification of nine cationic components in pre-blast and post-blast residues of pyrotechnic samples

AbstractAn ion chromatographic method and its application have been described to quantify nine cationic components (lithium, sodium, ammonium, methylammonium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium) in pyrotechnics (firecracker and firework) samples. The samples in this study were purchased from local shops in Ternate City, North Maluku. The method performed a mixed eluent with 4 mM HNO3 and 0.015 mM Na2EDTA, combined with a Metrosep C4-150/4.0 separation column for all quantifications. Excellent chromatograms were achieved, and the nine cationic components were eluted in less than 18 min. The calibration graphs of the quantifications were linear in the range of 1.25–37.5 mg L−1. The detection limit (LOD) at S/N = 3 was below 0.098 ppm (mg L−1). This method was applied to the pre-blast and post-blast residues of pyrotechnics samples, and the simultaneous quantification of the nine cationic components in these samples was achieved with satisfactory results.

Patterns of insecticide uses and its impact on the health of the farmers in Tangail district of Bangladesh

Appropriate and judicious application of insecticide is the most effective measure of crop protection against the injury and damage of insect pests. However, the tendency of the farmers is to apply insecticide without maintaining proper dose, time and precautionary measures. This study was conducted in Dhanbari and Madhupur upazilas of the Tangail district during July to October 2020 to find out the patterns of insecticide use on summer vegetables and the potential risks of insecticides on the health of farmers. Data were collected from randomly selected 120 farmers through a pre-tested questionnaire. The majority of farmers within the study area obtained information regarding specific insect pests and the recommended insecticide from local retailer shops 81.7%), whereas information on insecticide dosage was primarily gathered from experts (91.7%). In the study area, farmers applied insecticides once/twice a season (66.7%). The survey report showed that 60.0% of the farmers applied insecticides without reading the label information, while all the farmers applied insecticides using hand driven sprayer machine between the hours of 10 am to 3 pm. Results revealed that 63.3% of the farmers took a moderate protective measures, but 93.3% did not consider pre-harvest Interval (PHI). A considerable portion of farmers (48.3%) kept pesticide bottles and packaging alongside other inputs, while most respondents (96.6%) disposed of these items in the fields. It was found that 70.0% of the farmers were acquainted with health hazards, 56.6% knew about water pollution, 54.1% knew about reduction of pollinators due to insecticide application. Based on the perspectives of the participants, it was also found that, 60.0% farmers suffered from physical weakness, 55.0% suffered in loss of appetite, 38.3% suffered in eye irritation, 28.3% experienced in body itching, and 12.7% suffered urinary and sexual disorder. Ann. Bangladesh Agric. (2023) 27 (1): 31-39

Community Radio in the Era of Convergence: A Case of Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT While globally, conventional radio faces stiff competition from streaming and on-demand content, the Africa radio remain driven by resilient local interest. The global drive towards digitisation, coupled with Africa’s burgeoning youth population has forced radio to integrate with digital media technologies. Drawing on Zimbabwe’s small community radio sector, we discuss how – armed with basic mobile phones to capture audio, video, text and pictures – young community radio volunteers eschew corporate media’s news conventions. Alternative information distribution networks emerge when news is shared via pre-recorded flash drives and CDs given to commuter omnibus drivers (combi-casting), or to local shops (shop-casting).

Penerapan Sistem Informasi Geografis Dalam Pemetaan Toko Oleh - Oleh Khas Lombok

This research aims to produce a geographic information system with spatial data visualization containing the location of East Lombok souvenir shops, shop information and directions that will be presented to visitors or users. The research targets were carried out in several sub-districts in the East Lombok Regency area which have souvenir shops. This is an effort to introduce craft products and food and drinks that are characteristic of the East Lombok Regency area. The data used in this research is by collecting map data of the East Lombok Regency area using Google Map API and Google Map Direction Service, interviews with shop owners, data collection on coordinate points and several other supporting data. The result of this research is that a web-based geographic information system for East Lombok souvenir shops has been built using the Google Maps API which makes it easy for web users to find out the position of East Lombok souvenir shops, where there is shop information and shop position. , items for sale and directions to the desired store.

Abstract PR03: Addressing disparities in the Native American population in Oregon: The development of multi-disciplinary frameworks to study pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in Native American communities

Abstract In Oregon, the incidence of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is 2-times higher among Native American (NA) communities compared to the rest of the population. At Oregon Health & Science University, we have formed a multi-disciplinary team that includes clinicians, translational scientists, and population scientists. Additionally, we have initiated a process of establishing a collaboration with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, one of Oregon’s largest Tribal community. By fostering the connections of NA healthcare providers within OHSU’s Knight Cancer Institute and Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care, and with the established Community Outreach, Research, and Engagement (CORE) team, we aim to build trust with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs to accomplish shared goals. To date, our team has made multiple visits to foster this connection. Recently, we conducted one-on-one interviews with Warm Springs community members to better understand the communities’ barriers to health information and health care. These interviews help focus our strategies to directly address barriers community members identify as most important to them. Interviews (<30 minutes long) were conducted and recorded with CORE trained personal at the Warm Springs Health fair and are now being evaluated. As part of our protocol, community members were reimbursed for their time and information with a twenty-dollar gift card from a local coffee shop. In addition to this interview, community members identified using an easel board outside our cancer center’s health booth to provide the most effective learning styles to help shape our future efforts in education and awareness. The data that was collected is also aiding in the development of culturally appropriate approaches and programs that are guided and shaped by NA communities through co-adapting and implementing our proven, Research in Oregon Communities’ Review System (ROCRS) for Tribes to receive, review, and co-design incoming research requests. Future projects look to complement this work by bringing two research studies (e.g., a diabetes early detection program and a NA genetic registry) through a collaborative research review, to determine feasibility, acceptability, and adoption, within the Warm Springs community. Citation Format: Jared Delaney, Grace McCarthy, Jackie Shannon, Rosalie Sears, Brett Sheppard, Jonathan Brody, Claymore Kills First. Addressing disparities in the Native American population in Oregon: The development of multi-disciplinary frameworks to study pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in Native American communities [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Pancreatic Cancer; 2023 Sep 27-30; Boston, Massachusetts. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(2 Suppl):Abstract nr PR03.

DNA barcoding continues to identify endangered species of shark sold as food in a globally significant shark fin trade hub.

Shark fins are a delicacy consumed throughout Southeast Asia. The life history characteristics of sharks and the challenges associated with regulating fisheries and the fin trade make sharks particularly susceptible to overfishing. Here, we used DNA barcoding techniques to investigate the composition of the shark fin trade in Singapore, a globally significant trade hub. We collected 505 shark fin samples from 25 different local seafood and Traditional Chinese Medicine shops. From this, we identified 27 species of shark, three species are listed as Critically Endangered, four as Endangered and ten as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Six species are listed on CITES Appendix II, meaning that trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival. All dried fins collected in this study were sold under the generic term "shark fin"; this vague labelling prevents accurate monitoring of the species involved in the trade, the effective implementation of policy and conservation strategy, and could unwittingly expose consumers to unsafe concentrations of toxic metals. The top five most frequently encountered species in this study are Rhizoprionodon acutus, Carcharhinus falciformis, Galeorhinus galeus, Sphyrna lewini and Sphyrna zygaena. Accurate labelling that indicates the species of shark that a fin came from, along with details of where it was caught, allows consumers to make an informed choice on the products they are consuming. Doing this could facilitate the avoidance of species that are endangered, and similarly the consumer can choose not to purchase species that are documented to contain elevated concentrations of toxic metals.

Cinética da secagem e propriedades termodinâmicas da casca de goiaba

ABSTRACT: The drying agroindustrial products is used to preserve the sensory and nutritional quality and to reduce the biological activity, preventing deterioration and loss of commercial value. The objective was to study the mathematical modeling Guava bark drying to obtain flour and to determine and evaluate the effective diffusion coefficient, get the activation energy and the thermodynamic properties in drying temperatures of 45, 55, 65 and 75 °C. The experiment was conducted Instituto Federal Goiano - Campus Rio Verde, the guava was purchased in local shops in the city of Rio Verde Goiás, in the commercial maturity. Among the analyzed models, Midilli was the best to represent the drying phenomenon. The effective diffusion coefficient increased with increasing temperature and the activation energy for liquid diffusion drying was 37,207kJ mol-1. The enthalpy and entropy increased with increasing drying temperature. While the Gibbs free energy increased with increasing drying temperature.

Enhancing the Compressive Strength of M30 Grade of Concrete Using Pumice With 50% GGBS and Metakaolin Comparing with Conventional Concrete

The aim is to compare the conventional concrete by employing a mix of M30 grade concrete, a novel pumice aggregate is used to partially replace the coarse aggregate to create lightweight concrete. All groups were prepared at the composition of 40% Cement and replacing 50% GGBS, 10% Metakaolin is kept constant in our concrete. Coarse aggregate replaced by novel pumice stone and M-sand as Fine aggregate. The group of 6 cubes was formed according to the curing dates of 28 days. Metakaolin and GGBS are procured from Scientific Company and Novel Pumice Aggregate are arranged from online traders. Cement and M sand were arranged from the local shop. The group of 18 cubes was formed according to the Curing date for 28 days. To determine the compressive strength, two groups and a total of 36 cubes were constructed. The average compressive strength test result for conventional concrete of grade M30 at 28 days is 30.28 N/mm2. The average result for Group I and for 18 cubes for the M30 grade of concrete @ 28 days Compressive Strength test result of Concrete with Novel Pumice Aggregate stone and Partial Replacement of GGBS and Metakaolin by the weight of cement is 35.19 N/mm2. From the independent t-test analysis p=0.000, i.e., smaller than p=0.05(p<0.05) which indicates that there is a noteworthy statistical distinction between the two groups. The compressive strength of concrete of M30 grade at 28 days of compressive strength test results of concrete with new pumice aggregate stone and partial replacement of GGBS and Metakaolin by the weight of cement is increased.

Poisoning cases and their management in Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia: Hospital-based prospective study.

Poisoning is a significant public health problem globally. Ethiopia is a low-income country undergoing technological and social change that may increase access to drugs and chemicals, potentially increasing the incidence of poisoning. This study describes the epidemiology of hospital admissions due to poisoning in a region of Ethiopia. An institution based prospective observational study was employed, as a study design, in selected hospitals of the region from January to December 2018. Of 442 poisoning cases, 78 (17.6%) died. Almost all poisoning cases were intentional self-poisonings. The most frequent poisonings were organophosphate compounds, 145 (32.8%), and metal phosphides (majorly aluminum phosphide), 115 (26.0%). The ingested poison was most frequently accessed from the patients' homes, 243 (55.0%), followed by purchases from local shops, 159 (36%). The median duration of admission was 24 hours. Of all the cases, 23 (5.2%) were admitted to intensive care units (ICU) requiring mechanical ventilation. Most of the cases admitted to the ICU were aluminum phosphide-poisoned patients. The majority of deaths (43 of 78) were due to metal phosphides. From the multivariate logistic regression analysis, altered level of consciousness on hospital arrival, metal phosphide poisoning, and no laboratory result as a part of the diagnosis process or investigation of the extent of toxicity were found to be significantly associated with the likelihood of poor treatment outcome. The majority of the poisoning cases were females. The most common reasons for the intent of self-poisoning were dispute-related, mainly family disharmonies, followed by psychiatric conditions. The poisoning agents were mostly obtained from households. Organophosphate compounds and metal phosphides were the first and the second most frequently encountered poisoning agents, respectively, and it was noted that the later ones were responsible for most of the fatal cases. Of the pharmacologic interventions, atropine was the only agent regarded as an antidote. The most commonly employed agent for supportive treatment was cimetidine followed by maintenance fluids, while gastric lavage was the only GI decontamination method used among others. The fatality rate of poisoning in this study was found to be much higher than in other similar studies. Impaired consciousness upon hospital arrival, metal phosphide poisoning, and no involvement of laboratory investigation were found to significantly associate with the likelihood of death. Generally, the results dictate the need for the design and implementation of strategies to create awareness, prevent, and manage poisoning incidences in the community.

Can Entrepreneurial Marketing Provide an Economic Moat for Small and Emerging Firms?

This study explores the economic moat concept, which has become increasingly relevant to modern-day businesses seeking a sustainable competitive advantage. Drawing upon Porter's Five Forces Model, we investigate the potential for economic moats in small companies and emerging entrepreneurial firms. By analyzing examples of narrow economic moats in small firms, we provide insights into the strategies that may help these firms build and maintain a competitive advantage in their respective markets. Our findings suggest that entrepreneurial firms can leverage various sources of competitive advantages, such as customer loyalty, low-cost structures, and network effects, to create narrow economic moats that protect against competitive threats. Case studies of Andy’s Hobby Headquarters and Laura Farms illustrate how small firms can successfully cultivate narrow economic moats aligned with Porter’s Forces. Andy’s strategic evolution from a local hobby shop to a national and international destination, coupled with a strong online presence and community engagement, demonstrates how management actions can foster customer loyalty and differentiation. Similarly, Laura Farms leverages social media to project company values and create emotional ties with viewers, establishing a narrow economic moat. This paper offers practical insights for entrepreneurs and small business owners seeking long-term success in today's highly competitive business environment. Finally, it concludes that deliberate management strategies, particularly in marketing, can facilitate the development of economic moats within competitive environments and substitution pressures. By adjusting traditional definitions of economic moats to accommodate the rapid pace of entrepreneurship, it advocates for further research into the relationship between economic moats and sustained profitability among entrepreneurial ventures.

РОЛЬ ТУРИСТИЧНО-ІНФОРМАЦІЙНИХ ЦЕНТРІВ ДЛЯ РОЗВИТКУ ТУРИЗМУ В РЕГІОНІ

The article presents the results of research on the role of tourist information centers in regional tourism. Tourism is an important economic sector that contributes to regional development, job creation, and cultural exchange. Tourist information centers (TICs) play a crucial role in this process by providing tourists with the necessary information, services, and resources to maximize their satisfaction. Tourist information centers offer tourists up-to-date information about attractions, cultural events, routes, hotels, restaurants, and other services. This enables tourists to effectively plan their trips and get the most enjoyment out of their travels. In many European countries, tourist information centers offer booking and ticket sales services for various events, excursions, transport, and more. This is convenient for tourists, who can obtain all necessary services in one place. In European countries, tourist information centers actively promote the regionʼs tourism opportunities, participate in exhibitions, conferences, and other events aimed at drawing attention to the region as a tourist destination. Tourist information centers contribute to the development of local businesses by providing information about local hotels, restaurants, shops, and other services. This helps local entrepreneurs attract more customers and grow their businesses. Providing high-quality information and services allows tourists to feel comfortable and safe during their travels. This increases their level of satisfaction and encourages them to visit the region again. The development of tourism infrastructure, particularly tourist information centers, contributes to the creation of new jobs in the region. This positively impacts the regional economy and helps improve the standard of living for local residents This article examines the main functions of tourist information centers, their impact on regional tourism development, and examples of successful operation of such centers.

Analysing SMEs position in organisation life cycle (case study in local coffee shops in Bandung)

Analysing SMEs position in organisation life cycle (case study in local coffee shops in Bandung)

Analysing SMEs position in organisation life cycle (case study in local coffee shops in Bandung)

Analysing SMEs position in organisation life cycle (case study in local coffee shops in Bandung)

Predictive Modelling of Customer Sustainable Jewelry Purchases Using Machine Learning Algorithms

In order to give businesses useful information, the main goal of this study is to forecast future consumer purchases in the sustainable jewelry sector. Companies launching new goods, services, or modifications to their current offers must anticipate client behaviours. Businesses can learn a lot about how current customers behave by studying their behaviour in order to develop marketing and sales techniques that work. The study uses a variety of statistical and machine learning methods to forecast the most important elements influencing the purchasing of sustainable jewelry in order to achieve this. These variables span a wide range of characteristics, including gender, age, educational attainment, occupation, gross monthly income, marital status, previous jewelry purchase history, purchase intention, preferred shopping locations, online purchase influencers, consumer buying patterns, preferences for branded and non-branded jewelry, and participation in sustainable jewelry practices. In this study, supervised classification algorithms such Naive Bayes, Support Vector Machine, Linear Discriminant Analysis, K-Nearest Neighbor, and Decision Tree are compared over a wide range of machine learning approaches. To increase the predictive model's effectiveness and resilience, ensemble learning techniques including Random Forest, AdaBoost, and Bagging Classifiers are also introduced. A confusion matrix and classification report are the performance indicators used to assess these models. When used on a test dataset, these measures evaluate the model's precision, recall, accuracy, and F1 scores. These measurable metrics are essential for evaluating the models' reliability and efficacy. Notably, the study shows that the approaches of Random Forest, Decision Tree, Bagging Classifier, and Linear Discriminant Analysis continuously produce the highest accuracy rates, all of which stand at a remarkable 100% accuracy. Other used machine learning classifiers, such as Naive Bayes, K-Nearest Neighbor, Support Vector Machine, and AdaBoost algorithms, which provide significantly lower accuracy scores, fall short of this degree of accuracy. The Random Forest Classifier, which boasts a remarkable accuracy score of 100% for the training dataset and a reasonable 53% for the testing dataset, is particularly noteworthy. This classifier surpasses its competitors, demonstrating its potency in forecasting purchases of sustainable jewelry. In order to forecast sustainable jewelry purchases, this study uses a rigorous methodology that draws on a variety of statistical and machine learning models. The Random Forest Classifier is the most accurate and significant model for this predictive task, with Precision, Recall, and F1 scores of 100, according to the results, which were assessed using multiple performance measures like Precision, Recall, and F1 score.

Isolation and identification of Clostridium perfringens and its toxins from mutton in Lahore City, Punjab, Pakistan.

The present study was aimed to detect C. perfringens and identify its toxins in mutton samples collected from Lahore City in the Punjab Province of Pakistan. A total of 40 samples of minced and non‑minced mutton were collected from local butcher and retail shops representing four areas of the city. The samples were subjected to ELISA for the detection of C. perfringens alpha, beta and epsilon toxins. The samples were simultaneously processed for bacterial isolation. The isolates were confirmed both by biochemical testing and a multiplex PCR targeting alpha, beta and epsilon toxin genes of C. perfringens. While 10% (4/40) of the samples were positive for C. perfringens alpha toxins, 17.5% (7/40) of the samples were positive for the alpha toxin gene. The present study indicated that the samples collected from the local butcher shops were contaminated with C. perfringens and its toxins. Interestingly, no such contamination was detected in any of the samples collected from retail meat shops. In conclusion, improper hygienic conditions at butcher shops could lead to the contamination of mutton with C. perfringens and its toxins.

Online Thrift Shop Phenomenon as a Business Opportunity for Young Entrepreneurs in Manado City: A Multicultural Perspective

The thrift shop phenomenon is on the rise in Indonesia, especially among young entrepreneurs who utilize the ease of online marketing. This research aims to examine online thrift shops as a business opportunity for young entrepreneurs in Manado City through a multiculturalism approach. Qualitative method with in-depth interviews with 8 main informants from Manado, Minahasa, and Gorontalo ethnicities. Results show that cultural background influences entrepreneurial orientation. Ethnic Minahasa tends to sell casual fashion, in contrast to ethnic Gorontalo who prioritizes Muslim clothing. The migrants' marketing strategy utilizes more social commerce, while the ethnic Manado still relies on community-based marketing. Young entrepreneurs are also encouraged by the flexibility and profit potential of thrift shops, although the risk of product damage and network constraints are challenges. Thus, this study found that cultural background and local values shape thrift shop business orientation and entrepreneurial behavior. Understanding this multicultural perspective can encourage the development of a thrift shop ecosystem that is more inclusive and responsive to the cultural diversity of the people of Manado City.

The Visibility of a City in the Interwar Period. Scopic Regimes in the Photographs of Lajos Orbán (1897–1972) From Cluj

The Visibility of a City in the Interwar Period. Scopic Regimes in the Photographs of Lajos Orbán (1897–1972) from Cluj. Lajos Orbán was an amateur photographer, whose main body of work was produced starting from the 1920s when he became the employee of a local shop specialized in photographic equipment and member in local photographic societies, e.g. the Tessar Bowling Society. His photographs were displayed at international photo exhibitions, but he was organising regional photo contests and exhibitions as well. His photographs show the influence of the pictorialist photography, but traces of modernism or the new objectivism are present as well. These pictures became archival documents, and they are also important resources to the visual culture of Transylvania, the visual literacy of the people living in the interwar years. The paper offers an in depth analysis of the scopic regimes detectable in the photographic heritage of Lajos Orbán based on the ways human figures and spatial relations are represented in his pictures. Keywords: amateur photography, visual culture, urban life, “flâneur”, scopic regime, landscape, human figures

Impulsive Behaviour of Customers in Large-Format Grocery Shops in Poland – a Case Study

The growing wealth of the Polish population noted in the recent years has led to a significant change in the behaviour of Poles as consumers. Increasingly often, the type and volume of purchases are dictated not only by real and objective reasons but also by impulse buying. In consequence, any retail outlet frequented by consumers to make purchases is no longer a place where thoroughly planned purchases are made, but a site where consumer needs are created by marketing activities. They are therefore a significant instrument of creating some influence on the consumer at the point of sale and multiplying the entrepreneur’s revenue, which is particularly important in large retail grocery shops, where an average Pole buys most groceries. The study showed that the most significant determinants of impulse buying are the age and sex of consumers. Young people display quite a high level of impulse consumption. Because of their age, they do not attach much importance to planning expenses, which frequently leads to irrational spending. Impulse purchases are more often made by women, who most often do grocery shopping. Women also spend more time in shops than men do. As a result, they are more exposed to merchandising activities carried out in retail outlets. It has been noticed that the atmosphere in a shop and the consumer’s mood while shopping have a significant impact on how much the consumer will buy. The amounts of products bought tend to increase when the consumer’s mood is extreme (very good / very bad). It was alsoobserved that a higher level of unplanned and impulse purchases is achieved by households with higher income, which in general allows them to buy more. The volume of unplanned and impulse purchases is distinctly higher in supermarkets and hypermarkets, which implicates much greater opportunities to use marketing strategies stimulating this type of purchases in such large shops than in small local shops.