Food Retail Sector Research Articles

REIMAGINING SOUTH AFRICA’S URBAN FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION THROUGH THE LENS OF INFORMAL FOOD SECTOR: THE CASE OF BUFFALO CITY MUNICIPALITY

The African Food Security Urban Network (AFSUN)survey found that over 70% of low-income households in South Africa sourced their food from informal outlets. Despite the importance that the informal food retail sector plays in food security, it remains neglected by policy support and institutional funding. The paper focused on the role of local informal food markets in addressing urban household food security in Buffalo City Municipality (BCM), South Africa. This paper argued that informal food markets including food vendors have a potential to improve household food insecurity levels but face many barriers. The study sought to identify these barriers and make an understanding of how these local food markets adopt coping mechanisms in meeting their basic needs including addressing household food insecurity. A qualitative approach was adopted for this study. Data was collected from 40 food vendors, particualrly street vendors and home-based enterprises in the township of Duncan, through interviews, observations, and archival research. Interviews included semi structured interviews to gather insights from street vendors, while interviews with city officials provided key informant perspectives. This study’s findings show that households without access to networked infrastructure use informal food markets as: (i) a food source, (ii) a food kitchen and a cookstove and (iii) a refrigerator, to purchase their foodstuff and other ready-to-eat meals.

Critical Evaluation of the Impact of Training and Development Programs on the Performance of Employees in the UK Food Retail Sector

This research is a quantitative evaluation of the impact of training and development programs on the performance of employees in the UK food retail industry. The study assesses the impact of various training programs in the UK food retail businesses on the performance of employees. In essence, the study evaluated the context of the training programs, the most effective training programs, the environmental specific factors that influence training, and the impact these training programs have on the performance of employees. The study utilized the simple random sampling method under probability sampling in order to give a chance to all persons in the target population. As such a questionnaire was designed with a five-point Likert scale and 384 participants responded to these questions which were administered online with Google forms. In analyzing the data, the descriptive analysis was done using the SPSS, and a PLS-SEM analysis was made using SmartPLS. The findings of the study revealed that coaching and mentoring have no statistically significant relationship with employee performance, contrary to initial hypotheses. However, E-training has a significant positive relationship with employee performance, aligning with existing literature. Conversely, on-the-job training showed a significant negative relationship with employee performance, suggesting potential issues with its effectiveness or perception among employees. The study also revealed that environmental specific factors like political stability, sustainability, technological advancement, legal compliance, social trends and economic fluctuations influences training programs which in turn affects performance of employees. The results of this study provide valuable knowledge to managements of food retail businesses in the United Kingdom, it also in practice identifies the various training programs effective for performance in the food retail sector.

SUSTAINABLE INTERVENTIONS TO MANAGE RETAIL FOOD WASTE: A SCOPING REVIEW

Food waste (FW) affects the economy, sustainability, food security, and climate but effective practices to reduce waste in the food retail sector have received limited attention in existing studies. To address this gap, a scoping review was conducted to systematically identify and categorise research about interventions targeting retail FW. After searching four electronic literature databases, study selection allowed for the inclusion of 43 studies in the review. The narrative synthesis illustrates possible outcomes of such responses to retail FW and aggregates similar interventions and actors involved. Findings comprised 132 interventions from 41 countries, mostly European (73.2%). While supermarkets were responsible for implementing 86.4% of the initiatives, the interventions targeted both consumers (50.8%) and their own businesses (46.2%). Utilising a FW hierarchy framework, interventions were classified into seven categories, predominantly focusing on preventative measures such as awareness campaigns, price reduction, operational optimization, legal regulation, and FW repurposing for human consumption through donations. These prevention and reuse strategies hold promise across diverse contexts and warrant further exploration. About half of the interventions quantified their effects, and we address the most relevant environmental, social, and economic impacts. The findings underscore the need for research investment in the global South.

Assessment of Variables in Fruit Product Safety Procedures in Surabaya City Modern Retail

Abstract Public health problems with food contamination, both microbial and chemical, continue to be a challenge for the food industry. Therefore, it is crucial for modern retail outlets to keep their fresh food in a safe-to-eat condition. The research objective is to analyze various factors in fruit product safety procedures at modern retail in the city of Surabaya. The research sample was deliberately determined to consist of Distributor and Logistics Managers from each supermarket and hypermarket, quality control staff and fresh food staff, totaling 50 samples. The capacity to identify the procedures for ensuring food safety at their places of employment was the criterion used to select each respondent. The data analysis method uses a factor analysis approach and is supported by IBM SPSS Ver. software. 23. The research parameters are based on the Guidance on Hygiene and Safety in the Food Retail Sector Sector as a standard from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Result show that there are 5 main components that have gone through a reduction process and have been assessed properly. The five factors are the factors of ‘Storage’, ‘Proper Cleaning and Sanitation’, ‘Pest Control’, ‘Incoming Material Inspection’ and ‘Product Traceability’. This study discovered that in order to guarantee quality assurance for food goods, modern ritel in Surabaya must emphasize storage, good cleaning and sanitation, pest control, inspection of incoming materials, and product tracking.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on some fiscal and monetary indicators in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on some fiscal and monetary indicators in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Design/methodology/approachThe research relied on data, studies and reports issued by the International Monetary Fund, Arab Monetary Fund, Saudi Central Bank, Investing Website and the World in Data Website.FindingsMany sectors have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which outbreak has been associated with a high cost, in addition to increased inflation and prices, a result that was confirmed by the increase in consumer price indices for different sectors. The general consumer price index for the second period rose above that of the first period, while an upward shift occurred in the curve depicting the Saudi Riyal exchange rate against the United States (US) dollar during the second period above that of the first period, only in slope, due to outbreak of the pandemic. Impact of the number of daily new cases infected with COVID-19 was the highest on the opening and closing price indices of the food retail sector, the pharmaceutical sector and the transportation sector; while impact of the number of daily deaths by COVID-19 was the highest on the opening and closing price indices of the banking sector, the general index and the investment and finance sector. In addition, impact of the daily reproduction rate of COVID-19 was the highest on the opening price indices of the energy sector, the food production sector and the transportation sector.Research limitations/implicationsThe research aims to demonstrate measures taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through fiscal and monetary policies.Practical implicationsThe COVID-19 pandemic is still an ongoing global pandemic. The virus was first identified in Wuhan City in China at the beginning of December 2019. At the end of January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the outbreak of the virus represented a public health emergency, and later, on March 11, 2020, WHO declared the situation had transformed into a pandemic. Until January 17, 2022, the pandemic had caused more than 328 million cases and 545 million deaths, while 188 million of the cases had recovered. It is worth mentioning that the pandemic caused several social and economic disruptions, including a global economic recession; shortages in goods, supplies and equipment due to consumers' panic and thus tendency to buy; besides causing other disruptions like the negative impacts on health, as well as political, cultural, religious and sport events that influenced economic policies, including both the fiscal and monetary policies of world countries (Wikipedia, 2022).Social implicationsSocial implications steps that taken to reduce the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to measuring the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic (as the main event next to which other events fade up) on some of the fiscal and monetary indicators for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Originality/valueThe research aims to demonstrate measures taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through fiscal and monetary policies to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to measuring the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic (as the main event next to which other events fade up) on some of the fiscal and monetary indicators for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Advancing Fruit Image Classification with State-of-the-Art Deep Learning Techniques

Fruit image classification technology using deep learning is making significant contributions in the agriculture and food retail sectors, promising to increase efficiency and productivity. However, there is an identified knowledge gap in dealing with the considerable variation in fruit appearance caused by factors such as type, size, color, and lighting conditions, as well as the precise identification of damage or disease. This research focuses on applying the developed Convolutional Neural Network architecture to fill this gap by using it in an extensive and diverse dataset, covering 67,692 image files categorized into 131 fruit classes. The training process showed substantial accuracy improvement, with training accuracy reaching 98.39% and validation accuracy at 90%, while training loss decreased to 0.0430 and validation loss to 0.2991. In the advanced stage of training, the training accuracy peaked at 99.43% in the 59th epoch with a shallow loss of 0.0251. However, the validation loss showed variation, indicating room for improvement in model generalization. The findings provide insight into the potential and challenges of applying Convolutional Neural Network models and fruit image classification with improved fruit sorting accuracy. Contribution to the literature in the field of information technology and agriculture by showing deep learning models can be improved to address the issue of fruit image variability.

Optimizing Warehousing Strategies for Retail Food Live Streaming on Supply Chain Cost: A Case Study of TikTok

The outbreak has indeed left a significant impact on the traditional offline sales model. However, it has simultaneously catalyzed the flourishing growth of the e-commerce live-streaming industry. Consumers have progressively adapted to this novel online shopping mode, signifying a paradigm shift in retail dynamics. Therefore, this paper studies the cost problem under different strategic choices of logistics and warehousing for retail food from the perspective of a platform system and analyzes the after-sale cost of a two-level retail food supply chain consisting of a manufacturer and an e-commerce platform by combining data and theory. This study further analyzes the optimal decision problem for e-commerce cloud warehousing, traditional warehousing systems and a combination of e-commerce cloud warehousing and traditional warehousing systems. This study not only enhances our understanding of the profound shifts in the retail food sector but also equips e-commerce platforms with concrete theoretical insights and practical references to bolster their supply chain cost management strategies in a post-outbreak era characterized by evolving consumer preferences and dynamic market conditions.

Consumers’ Marketing Channel Choice and the Impact on Logistics and Operations: A Systematic Literature Review of the Fresh Food and Grocery Sector

Background: Diverse marketing channels have been developed with the advent of digitalization. In the fresh food and grocery retail sector, consumers may have a large choice of channels to shop from. In this case, an analysis of their behavior is crucial for retailers. Therefore, the present paper provides a state-of-the-art review of existing papers dealing with consumers’ channel choice when buying groceries. Methods: A systematic literature review (SLR) is performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) procedure, identifying 36 research papers published in the last decade. Results: The results present the principal methodologies adopted by the analyzed research papers to address this topic, along with the various channels available to consumers to date. Other important outcomes of this review include the main variables that can affect consumer choice when deciding between the available channels and the limitations of the analyzed papers, along with suggestions for future research directions to address these limitations. Conclusions: This paper discusses the essential effects of consumers’ channel choice on the logistics and operation services of grocery retailers. It also provides an integrative framework linking the influencing factors of consumer choice with outcomes directly impacting grocery retailers’ logistics services.

Shopping experience and consumer loyalty towards organic food stores: evaluating the moderating role of gender

PurposeThis study delves into the complex realm of consumer behavior by exploring the impact of distinct shopping motives, encompassing status, value and gratification, on store satisfaction within the domain of organic food retail. Moreover, it seeks to decipher the influence of perceptual disparities between male and female patrons on the intricate nexus between shopping experience and consumer loyalty within organic food stores.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive dataset comprising responses from 400 participants was gathered and subjected to confirmatory analysis and structural equation modeling. These analytical tools were employed to dissect the data, validate the underlying research framework and unveil critical insights.FindingsThe empirical analysis, facilitated by structural equation modeling, substantiates that organic food stores prioritize the organic attribute, primarily centered on healthiness, often to the detriment of broader conceptual and social aspects. This validates the interplay between shopping experience dimensions, customer contentment, loyalty and the intent to revisit. Gender, as a moderator, exerts a discernible influence on these relationships, highlighting distinct shopping behaviors among male and female consumers when gauging the influence of shopping experience dimensions within organic food retail establishments.Practical implicationsThe implications of this research resonate deeply within the organic food retail landscape. The insights garnered provide valuable guidance to organic food retailers aiming to enhance their store ambiance and allure, thereby fostering sustained customer satisfaction. This, in turn, augments the propensity for customer loyalty and repeat patronage, a particularly pressing concern in today's fiercely competitive retail milieu. Furthermore, the study carries significant ramifications for organic food producers and governmental entities, outlining a framework for augmenting the value proposition of organic foods in alignment with customer experiential paradigms.Originality/valueIn a milieu characterized by the emergence of novel product categories and industry entrants, the study fills a critical void by investigating customer satisfaction within the broader retail food sector, with specific focus on organic food stores. Moreover, the research embarks on a pioneering exploration of the prospective trajectory of organic food stores in the Indian context, employing a marketing lens and grounded in the theory of needs satisfaction.

FOOD WASTE PREVENTION SOLUTIONS IN THE NONFINANCIAL REPORTS OF ROMANIAN FOOD RETAILERS

The research delves into the non-financial reports of Romanian food retailers, shedding light on the solutions adopted to prevent food waste. The research is focused on six of the biggest food retailers in Romania and their last two public sustainability reports from 2020 and 2021. By analyzing the reports, the research uncovers the most important strategies, measures and innovations implemented to help reduce wastage in the food retail sector in Romania. The findings of the study point towards a growing awareness and commitment among Romanian food retailers towards sustainable business strategies and food waste management strategies.

Applicability of bankruptcy prediction models in the western Hungarian food retail sector

The article examines the applicability of existing bankruptcy prediction models in the food retail sector. The industry has been chosen for analysis due to the fact, that according to official statistics, it has been significantly affected by the events of recent years (Covid-19 epidemic and economic crisises). For the study, a database was created with all firms that had ceased to operate in the sector over an 11-year period in 3 counties. The main objectives of the study were: 1) to check whether there are differences in the reliability of the models and which models are most applicable to the selected sector; 2) to investigate the accuracy of the models over the time horizons of bankruptcy; 3) to check the accuracy of forecasting models by type of bankruptcy completion procedure; 4) provide suggestions on the possibilities of applying bankruptcy forecasting models and indicate directions for further research. During the research, it was found that not all considered models are suitable for accurate forecasting. Two of the five models have very low prediction accuracy (Virág-Hajdu model and Tafler model). Assessment of model accuracy across bankruptcy time horizons showed that there is little variation in short-term forecast accuracy, with a slight decrease in the reliability of the models in the long term. Examining the predictive accuracy of the models by completion procedure type revealed that the types of procedures affected the prediction. The most accurate results were obtained for liquidation, while voluntary liquidation was the least accurate in several cases. The use of bankruptcy prediction models is important for an enterprise because they are a key tool for reducing its operational risk and preventing financial problems. The study can provide information for businesses in the food retail sector and the results can be used for further research. There are additional opportunities for expanding the enterprise database, transferring the research to other sectors of the economy, and expanding the number of bankruptcy models to study the suitability of their application to enterprises of various industries

Analysis of Food Supply Chain Digitalization Opportunities in the Function of Sustainability of Food Placement in the Western Balkans Region

This paper aims to analyze and define incentives for the implementation of modern technology and digitalization of the Food Supply Chain (FSC) in the function of sustainability of the food retail sector of the Western Balkans (WB) region. The survey method was applied to a sample of 255 employees. We tested the importance of certain indicators for the implementation of the digitalization process, such as the application of Blockchain Technology (BT), the use of modern IT solutions for traceability, the implementation of the Internet of Things (IoT), the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI), development of a system for electronic food placement, implementation of standards, measures, and procedures for regulating the digitalization process, continuous training of employees and economic and financial measures and incentives. A special segment of research deals with the impact of the implemented digitalization process on the sustainability of food placement. The research was conducted among employees of SMEs, large-scale business entities, and retail chains. The research results showed significant deviations from the mentioned incentives to the digitalization process depending on the size of the FSC participants. The work has practical implications because the obtained results show the FSC management, trade policy makers, and competent institutions (ministries, chambers of commerce, professional associations) what measures to apply in order to improve a more efficient implementation of the digitalization process of food placement and lay the foundation for the sustainability of the FSC. Guidelines for future research are outlined in the paper.

Tackling diet inequalities in the UK food system: is food insecurity driving the obesity epidemic? (The FIO Food project).

By 2050 the number of adults living with obesity in the UK will rise with approximately one in four in the adult population. This rising trend is not equitable, with higher prevalence in socially disadvantaged groups. There is an apparent paradox of not being able to provide food for the family to eat, a feature of food insecurity and living with obesity. With the current cost-of-living crisis, there is a challenge to afford both food and fuel bills. Environmentally sustainable and healthy diets are proposed to improve public health and reduce the impact of the food system on the environment, while also improving diet quality. However, healthier foods tend to be nearly three times more expensive than unhealthy foods, and this provides a challenge for citizens on low incomes. In this review, we explore some of the evidence for solutions in the retail food environment to support the UK food system to be safe, nutritious, environmentally friendly and fair for all. We highlight the value of co-production in research, to give value and power to the lived experience to address these inequalities. Our multidisciplinary research approach within the FIO Food research grant will generate new insights into modifiable and potentially impactful changes to the UK food system, specifically for the retail food sector. We believe that the co-creation, design and delivery of research with those living with obesity and food insecurity will help to transform the UK food system for health and the environment in this vulnerable group.

The City of Cork Food Policy Council – Inter-agency collaboration towards a fairer, healthier, more secure and sustainable local food system

Abstract Food has long played a significant part in Cork's identity and Cork regards itself as ‘the food capital of Ireland’. In contrast Cork city has areas of severe social disadvantage and, in line with other parts of the country, there are rising levels of diet-related ill-health and where up to one in eight households experiences food poverty (Kenny and Sage, 2019). To date, Cork City does not have an Urban Food Strategy. The Cork Food Policy Council is a partnership between representatives of the community, food retail, farming, fishing, restaurant/catering, education, environmental and health sectors and local authorities. It was established in 2012 to work towards the achievement of a fairer, healthier, more secure and sustainable food system within the City and throughout the region. As a multidisciplinary group that works closely with the Cork Healthy City initiative, it has pioneered innovative approaches to bring food systems thinking into the city, working at both local and policy levels. This recognises the position and value of food within the fabric of city life, and for its multifunctional benefits to health, community, infrastructure and spatial thinking. The presentation will focus on the interagency nature of this group and how a greater understanding and collaboration among local policy drivers has led to innovative actions in the city and the groundwork towards co-creating a food strategy for the City.

Jointly Reducing Food Waste—The Experiences of the German Discussion Forum for Wholesale and Retail

The global food system faces the challenge of food waste, which has significant environmental, social, and economic implications. In line with Sustainable Development Goal 12.3, the German food wholesale and retail sector has recognised the urgency of reducing food waste by 50% by 2030. However, limited scientific research exists on food waste in this sector. This study presents the implementation of a Discussion Forum as a three year project aiming to measure and reduce food waste in the German food wholesale and retail sectors. Collaboration among stakeholders played a crucial role, leading to the development of a voluntary agreement and ambitious reduction targets. The findings highlight the success of the Discussion Forum in generating high-quality data, fostering collaboration, and guiding reduction actions. Lessons learned include the practicality of data collection methods, the importance of data security and confidentiality, and the value of open discussions. The research contributes to filling the research gap in food waste studies and provides valuable insights for achieving SDG 12.3 in the wholesale and retail sectors.

The Financial Sustainability of Retail Food SMEs Based on Financial Equilibrium and Financial Performance

The aim of this study was to investigate the financial sustainability of retail food SMEs for the 2016–2021 period, in Romania, from the perspective of financial equilibrium and performance. A multivariate analysis was used, including a correlation analysis, a principal component analysis (PCA), and a cluster analysis. The empirical results show a positive link between the financial performance and financial equilibrium indicators. We employed the PCA in order to build a composite financial index using financial equilibrium indicators (ratios of liquidity, solvency, collection, and payment period) and financial performance indicators (Return on Assets and Return on Equity). The results show that financial equilibrium and performance are the two main dimensions which the financial sustainability index (FSI) was constructed on. Taking into account the dimensions of financial sustainability, the analyzed SMEs were clustered in four homogeneous clusters. The research findings clearly demonstrated that the retail food SMEs with a good/acceptable financial sustainability also have a good/acceptable financial balance and performance situation. Furthermore, a significant part of the analyzed SMEs faces difficulties regarding financial sustainability, being characterized by the lowest values of FSI, determined by both an uncertain situation in terms of liquidity, leading to a financial disequilibrium, and a negative financial performance. Therefore, this research emphasizes some specific measures that need to be taken to boost financial sustainability of these businesses in the retail food sector.

Pricing strategies of corporations and consumer co-operatives in the food retail sector: Evidence from England, Sweden, and the Netherlands

Pricing strategies of corporations and consumer co-operatives in the food retail sector: Evidence from England, Sweden, and the Netherlands

Good Practices Contributing to Cleaner Food Production? A Preliminary Survey Analysis Involving Wrocław-Poland Food Retail Sector

Good practices are among the direct/indirect components that influence agrofood safety knowledge, and occupying quality assurance control facets within the (agrofood) product industry. Cleaner production involves an integrated preventive environmental strategy applied to processes, products, and services, which increases overall efficiency, and reduces risks to humans/environment. However, ‘cleaner food production’ appears neither yet clearly defined nor well established. In this preliminary survey analysis, how good practices would contribute towards achieving cleaner food production in the context of food retail sector was performed. Specifically, Wrocław-Poland served as a case reference targeting managers/supervisors given their expected service, experience, and expertise. The sampling technique used was the judgment/purposive type, and the research instrument took the form of a questionnaire. Managers’/supervisors’ responses revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) across variables, with ‘yes’ emerging greater in most cases. Knowledge, experience, and expertise of good practices enabled the managers/supervisors connect with (some) cleaner production components. A total of 53 statistically significant correlations were found, wherein some showed perfect linear relationships. Specific to the context of (food) retail sector, the term “cleaner food production” could be defined as “the effective and efficient utilization of good practices to deliver high-quality food retail products through environmental-friendly as well as sustainable processes”.

“Green” practices in the food retail sector: evidence from the Romanian market

PurposeWithin a Europe highly concerned about becoming a zero net greenhouse gas emission continent, and where the circular economy is strongly promoted as a proper lever in this sense, the present paper aims to raise awareness regarding best practices towards a “green” food retail sector in Romania. In a more specific regard, the “green” practices implemented by the main food retailers acting on the Romanian market are analysed, focusing on what these practices are, how they are measured and how transparent they are.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on desk research consisting in the identification and content analysis of the “green”-related information outlined on the food retailers' websites and in their published sustainability reports.FindingsFood retailers are concerned about becoming carbon neutral, implementing the “green” measures outlined in the paper through the lenses of waste management, minimising/eradicating plastic, reducing/eliminating food waste, energy efficiency/saving, water consumption efficiency, protecting biodiversity, transportation efficiency and compliance with standards/obtained certifications/adherence to pacts. In addition to actions, food retailers are concerned about their proper, continuous monitorization, tackling key indicators in four directions: overall impact on the environment, impact on resources, waste impact and transportation impact.Originality/valueThe paper provides a novel, exhaustive best practices guide to encourage the transition to a “greener” activity in the Romanian food retail sector, highlighting both action measures and key assessment indicators.

The Fear of the Known and Unknown in Being the Sustainable Business: Environmental Concern Reflected by Axfood (Sweden)

This research aims to examine the feasibility of adopting a corporate social responsibility strategy that prioritises environmental protection within the food distribution and retail sectors. The environmental strategy involves ecofriendly packaging, streamlined logistics, and conservative energy use. The company Axfood serves as a case study. The study involved public records observation, store visits, and discussions with the managers and head of CSR. The study employed a case study approach, utilising data collected from various sources and analysing it for depth and breadth of understanding to uncover systemic causes of environmental concern at Axfood. Three outcomes were derived from the practical experience gathered from observation, repeated store inspection, interviewing customers and store managers, and five conversations with top management. Recycling and cutting costs through energy efficiency allow businesses to compete based on low prices and high-quality products. It is not a long-term fix to have the market pressure businesses to prioritise products above social audits and unclear reports. Finally, the answer for future business is to learn from competitors and reach parity by having what others have while being distinctive in some respects, such as having a superior environmental conscience.