Food Retail Research Articles

Using Blockchain Technology at Supply Chain: The Sample of Migros

This study aims to determine the functionality and benefits of blockchain technology in food procurement. Within the scope of the study, Migros Trade Inc., a retail food supply company implementing blockchain technology in Türkiye, was examined as a case study. The study employed a qualitative research case study design, asking expert participants from Istanbul and Izmir to give their opinions on pre-designed themes, and conducting descriptive analyses of the data collected. The themes of the research are food supply chain, good agricultural practices, sustainability in food, blockchain applications in food supply and food safety. At the end of the study, it was found that the transparency and traceability principles of blockchain have a positive impact on consumers and supply chain stakeholders. However, challenges such as technical infrastructure and performance, as well as the reasons for not starting the process directly from the field, were the problems experienced. The data shows that blockchain technology is an efficient system that should be expanded in the food supply chain.

Association between geospatial disparities in food security with weight loss and nutritional outcomes of metabolic surgery

BackgroundFood insecurity has been linked to higher rates of obesity. It has also been shown to diminish the effectiveness of weight loss strategies, including intensive lifestyle interventions. One essential component of food insecurity is having a geospatial disadvantage in access to healthy, affordable food, such as living within a food desert. This study aims to determine if food insecurity also impacts weight loss and nutritional outcomes in patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG).MethodsClinical outcomes of patients who underwent RYGB or SG at Cleveland Clinic or affiliate regional hospitals in the United States from 2010 to 2018 were collected. Modified Retail Food Environmental Index (mRFEI) data was collected from the Center for Disease Control and merged with patient census tract data, allowing the patient cohort to be divided into those living in areas identified as food secure (mRFEI > 10%), food swamps (mRFEI = 1–10%), or food deserts (mRFEI = 0). Postoperative weight change was evaluated with quadratic growth mixture models and stratified by surgery type.ResultsA total of 5097 patients were included in this study cohort, including 3424 patients who underwent RYGB and 1673 who underwent SG. The median duration of follow-up was 2.3 years (IQR 0.89–3.6 years). Food security status was not associated with postoperative weight change (RYGB p = 0.73, SG p = 0.60), weight loss nadir (RYGB p = 0.60, SG p = 0.79), or weight regain (RYGB p = 0.93, SG p = 0.85). Deficiencies in nutritional markers at 1–2 years after surgery were also not significantly different between food security groups.ConclusionDespite the established relationship between food insecurity and obesity, food insecurity does not negatively impact weight loss or nutritional outcomes following RYGB or SG, demonstrating metabolic surgery as a powerful and equitable tool for treating obesity.Level of EvidenceIV.

Consumer’s willingness to try new microalgae-based food in Indonesia

Microalgae has been an under-researched food ingredient that is high in protein. In Indonesian context, research on consumer's willingness to try microalgae as a food ingredient should be performed. This research was performed to examine the factors influencing consumers' willingness to try microalgae. Data were collected from 535 respondents using a structured questionnaire distributed via Google Form on social media which were then analyzed using Structural Equation Models-Partial Least Square, with initial tests of internal consistency and reliability of questionnaire items carried out using the Pearson Product Moment correlation analysis. The results showed that consumer willingness to try microalgae-based food was positively and significantly influenced by consumer lifestyles towards food and consumer behavior (knowledge, attitudes, involvement and subjective norms). This finding indicates that there is a fairly broad opportunity to develop microalgae as a food ingredient in Indonesia. The government is encouraged to support the promotion of microalgae as health food. Positive support from the government is expected to drive marine farmers, entrepreneurs, food processing industries, cultivators, distributors and food retailers to further enhance the microalgae businesses.

Association between density of food retailers and fitness centers and gestational diabetes mellitus in Eastern Massachusetts

Association between density of food retailers and fitness centers and gestational diabetes mellitus in Eastern Massachusetts

Weather-related inaccessibility of trails used by Inuit subsistence harvesters does not significantly influence retail food sales in Nunavut, Canada

Weather-related inaccessibility of trails used by Inuit subsistence harvesters does not significantly influence retail food sales in Nunavut, Canada

Food Shopping Strategies Among a Diverse Sample of East Harlem Residents: A Qualitative Study.

To inform food retail interventions, this study explored food shopping strategies employed by people constrained by limited budgets but residing in an urban environment offering numerous retail options. Qualitative study incorporating semi-structured interviews and shop-alongs. East Harlem, New York City. 37 East Harlem residents participated in interviews, of whom 15 participated in shop-alongs. Interviews and shop-alongs were conducted in English, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese. Interview transcripts were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Data from shop-alongs were used to supplement interview findings. Participants shopped 1-2 times at an average of 4 retail locations per week. Two key themes emerged: (1) planning trips and choosing venues; and (2) shopping experiences and perceptions of stores. Price was the primary driver of store choice, followed by product quality and variety. Substantial time was invested in shopping. Most English- and Spanish-speaking participants shopped in East Harlem. Chinese American participants shopped in Chinatown due to language concordance, availability of culturally-preferred foods, and proximity to other services. East Harlem residents invested substantial planning, time and effort in food shopping to acquire sufficient food for their households on limited budgets. These findings offer insight into how residents interact with food environments and key drivers of decision-making about food shopping that affect decisions about where to shop and what to purchase.

Who can you trust? The curvilinear effects of producer-retailer trust (im)balance in organic food consumption – The moderation role of trust in blockchain technology

Little is known about the role of producer-retailer trust congruence in the organic food supply chain, while blockchain technology is considered a ‘trust machine’ in this supply chain. This research adopts the lens of the trust transfer theory to explore how trust in organic food producers can congruently and incongruently interact with trust in organic food retailers to trigger consumers’ trust in organic food products, which, in turn, interact with trust in blockchain technology to reinforce consumers’ purchase decisions. Using a purposive sample of 5326 Vietnamese consumers, the research employs an advanced method-polynomial regression with response surface analysis test the hypothesized model. The findings reveal that both trust in organic food producers and trust in organic food retailers significantly affect trust in organic food products, with trust in organic food products being higher when trust in organic food producers and trust in organic food retailers are balanced at a high level. These trusts also pose serial indirect effects on consumers’ purchase decisions through trust in organic food producers and purchase intentions. Trust in blockchain technology was found to positively moderate the impact of trust in organic food producers on consumers’ organic food purchase intentions. Based on the findings, some practical implications for stakeholders are released.

Heavy metals and trace elements in milk and dairy products in the Lazio region (Central Italy)

ABSTRACT A study was carried out to determine the concentration of heavy metals and trace elements in milk and dairy products collected from local farms, supermarkets, or food retailers in the region of Lazio (Central Italy). Persistent exposure to metal contamination is of particular concern for human health, as it can cause different serious disorders. The monitoring of the matrices studied is therefore important, given their high consumption in the daily diet. The elements determined by ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry) were lead (Pb), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), molybdenum (Mo) and thallium (Tl), for a total of 151 measurements in 98 samples. The results showed that 11.3% of the measurements were quantifiable but below the legal maximum limits (MLs) set by EU regulations. The data obtained may be useful for dietary exposure information, inter-regional comparisons and for planning regional surveillance strategies.

Implementation of sustainability activities in food retail chains

PurposeThis study aims to examine the implementation of sustainability activities in food retail chains operating in the Czech market and discusses the specific activities that influence their implementation.Design/methodology/approachUsing the neo-institutional theory as a framework, the research employs qualitative content analysis with an explanatory and inductive approach based on the stratification of data collected by multiple-round, personal, face-to-face interviews by the researchers with managers of the Czech headquarters of multinational food retail chains.FindingsThere is lively development in activities in the fields of the environment and social welfare, while the activities in governance and economic resilience are more stabilised. To remain ahead of the competition, retail chains aim to implement and communicate as many activities as possible where at least some links to sustainability can be found. A lack of benchmarks and clear definitions reduce the ability to determine their degree of engagement. Thus, market actors are inundated with sustainability claims leading to inflation of the concept, while significant achievements are drowned.Originality/valueThis paper, based on empirical research, contributes to the current literature by showing inflation of the sustainability concept as one of the key effects of retail-chain competition. In this context, it also strengthens previous findings on the profitability motive behind sustainability activities. Moreover, we have developed our own stratification method, enabling differentiation between activities getting the most attention due to their progressive phase and those where development is in the background.

Corporations and the cost of living crisis: Corporate involvement in UK food charity

AbstractAs a range of actors respond to poverty in the cost of living crisis, this paper addresses a long‐standing blind spot in social policy analysis by examining the role that corporations are playing in voluntary responses in the UK. To do this the paper introduces theories of corporate power to extend approaches to researching mixed economies of welfare, which have traditionally looked at the role of commercial entities principally in terms of their role alongside other actors in the welfare state. Building on existing food charity research, which has explored the dynamics and implications of corporate‐food charity relationships, this paper applies theories of corporate power to an analysis of the food charity related activities of the top 20 leading food retailers and casual dining brands in the UK. The analysis reveals how UK corporations exercised instrumental, structural and discursive forms of power to influence policy, set agendas and norms within food and charity systems and frame issues of food charity and hunger. The paper illustrates how a corporate power framework can add important layers to social policy analyses of mixed economies of welfare, by introducing a focus not just on operational aspects of corporate involvement, but also on the impact these corporations might be having on policy, how they are shaping the structure of welfare and the drivers of poverty through agenda setting in their markets, and the ways in which corporations influence public perceptions of social policy issues and how best to respond to them.

Retailer Responses to Public Consultations on the Adoption of Takeaway Management Zones Around Schools: A Longitudinal Qualitative Analysis

Background: Takeaway food is often high in calories and served in portion sizes that exceed public health recommendations for fat, salt and sugar. This food is widely accessible in the neighbourhood food environment. As of 2019, of all local authorities in England (n=325), 41 had adopted urban planning-based interventions that can allow them to manage the opening of new takeaway outlets in ‘takeaway management zones around schools’ (known elsewhere as ‘exclusion zones’). Before adoption, local authorities undertake mandatory public consultation where responses objecting to proposals can be submitted. Evidence on common objections could be insightful for practitioners and policymakers considering this intervention. Methods: We included 41 local authorities that adopted a takeaway management zone around schools between 2009 and 2019. We identified and analysed objections to proposals submitted by or on behalf of food retailers and local authority responses to these. We used reflexive thematic analysis with a commercial determinants of health lens to generate themes, and investigated if and how objections and responses changed over time. Results: We generated four themes: The role of takeaways in obesity, Takeaway management zone adoption, Use and interpretation of evidence, and Managing external opinions. Despite not being implicated by the adoption of takeaway management zones around schools, planning consultants objected to proposals on behalf of transnational food retailers, however, independent takeaways did not respond. Objections attempted to determine the causes of poor diet and obesity, suggest alternative interventions to address them, undermine evidence justifying proposals, and influence perspectives about local authorities and their intervention. Objections consistently raised the same arguments, but over time became less explicit and expressed a willingness to partner with local authorities to develop alternative solutions. Conclusion: Objections to local authority proposals to adopt an urban planning intervention that can stop new takeaways opening near schools featured strategies used by other industries to delay or prevent population health intervention adoption. Practitioners and policymakers can use our findings when developing proposals for new takeaway management zones around schools. By using knowledge about their local context and addressing arguments against specific aspects of the intervention, they can pre-empt common objections.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus prevalence in food-producing animals and food products in Saudi Arabia: A review.

In Saudi Arabia, the occurrence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in food and livestock represents a major public health hazard. The emergence of livestock-associated MRSA has heightened the risk of human infection with comparable virulence traits. The lack of information about MRSA transmission in our region hinders accurate risk assessment, despite its detection in food animals and retail foods. Adopting a One Health approach is essential for effectively combating MRSA in Saudi Arabia. This method unites actions in the human, animal, and environmental spheres. To combat MRSA contamination, surveillance measures need strengthening; interdisciplinary collaboration among healthcare professionals, veterinarians, and environmental scientists is crucial, and targeted interventions must be implemented in local food chains and animal populations. Through a holistic strategy, public health and sustainable food production in the region are protected. This review aims to improve public health interventions by increasing understanding of MRSA prevalence and related risks in local food chains and animal populations.

Retailer processes centred on the food market as the main determinate of business models in the context of retail size

In today's competitive environment, retail food outlets need to keep pace with changing consumer behaviour and technological change. Due to the impact of digitalisation, they are gradually starting to use new forms of interaction with consumers, suppliers, employees and other stakeholders, which affects the food retail business in many ways. Many digitization-related activities are well known but are slow to be implemented in the practice of food retail operations, depending on the specific size type of retail format. The paper aims to provide an overview of business models based on the size of food retail operations and on the identification of selected activities aimed at increasing competitiveness and creating value for customers. The survey sample comprised 250 stores whose managers were questioned by means of a semi-structured interview in March–April 2022. The authors discuss 30 identified components of 40 purposes in this study which could increase the efficiency of retailers' business models. A number of philosophical (a comprehensive examination of the criteria for selecting a theory and processing the theory) as well as mathematical statistical methods are used in the model, such as reliability rate estimation, factor analysis of binary data, cluster analysis, and the like. The study provides an overview of the application of selected digitalisation-related components in the business models of established food retail outlets of different size groups in the Slovak capital Bratislava.

Characterization of the retail food supply trade in Guadalajara, Jalisco, a documentary review

El abasto es parte del comportamiento alimentario que contribuye a la alimentación humana, el cual se realiza por medio de prácticas de compra en formatos del comercio minorista, mismos que han cambiado desde el siglo XX al diversificarse ante cambios en los contextos donde se encuentran relacionados con el crecimiento demográfico y el desarrollo tecnológico aunado a los cambios en los estilos de vida. Esto se ha abordado principalmente desde las perspectivas psicológica y biológica, siendo pertinente reconocer la dimensión social. A partir de ello, se planteó como objetivo caracterizar los formatos del comercio minorista para el abasto alimentario en Guadalajara, Jalisco por medio de un estudio cualitativo basado en el método documental. Entre los resultados se recuperan elementos que permiten describir a los formatos de distribución minorista como espacios simbólicos y significativos a partir de la variedad de relaciones sociales que se establecen en ellos. Se presenta una breve clasificación de los formatos del comercio minorista alimentario, se resaltan sus particularidades y se caracterizan los principales formatos presentes en el municipio de Guadalajara, Jalisco. A partir de ello, se concluye y se exhorta a los interesados en esta área del conocimiento a continuar investigando desde aproximaciones multidisciplinarias que aporten a la comprensión de aspectos sociales en los comportamientos alimentarios en general y en particular de las prácticas de compra en la distribución alimentaria.

Consumer Prices in German Food E‐Retailing: the Impact of the Value Added Tax Cut in 2020

SummaryIn July 2020, the German government reduced the VAT rate for six months in order to stimulate private consumption and support the economy, which had been weakened by the Covid‐19 pandemic. It was crucial for the success of the tax cut that retailers passed it on to consumers by reducing retail prices. This article applies a fixed effects estimation model to analyse the price effects of the VAT reduction in grocery e‐retailing. It uses price data collected directly from the websites for major food categories of four food e‐retailers, Bringmeister, MyTime, Real and Rewe. The tax reduction overall was largely passed on to consumers by price reductions. However, the pass‐through rates, i.e. the extent to which the tax rate change was translated into lower prices, varied among the stores, ranging from 16 to 134 per cent, with the highest rate being for Bringmeister. The pass‐through rate for Rewe was 84 per cent. Also, the timing of the pass‐through varies. The highly divergent pass‐through rates were below the expectations of politicians and the announcements made in advance by food retailers, suggesting some strategic pricing within and between stores. For future VAT reduction initiatives, the results of this study and consumers' reactions to price changes should be considered in more detail in order to complete the assessment of the effectiveness of such measures.

Paws and Reflect: Assessing the Impact of User Reviews and Ratings on Pet Food E-commerce Purchase Decisions

The pet food industry in the Philippines is thriving as the leading country in Southeast Asia in pet ownership. This study explores this growing sector and its e-commerce landscape, anchored in Rotter’s Expectancy-Value Theory. It uses a quantitative design to examine how online user reviews and ratings influence Filipino pet owners' expectancy & value as the independent variables, motivation with purchase decisions as the dependent variable, and celebrity endorsement as a moderating factor. The study also assesses the credibility and reliability of online reviews and employs Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) for analysis. The study’s results indicate that respondents highly value a product's attributes when making a purchase decision. While product value significantly impacts purchase decisions, expectations about online reviews and ratings do not influence buying motivation. Celebrity endorsements, however, do affect motivation. This study suggests that marketers and pet food retailers should focus on enhancing the quality of user reviews and ratings, engaging with industry experts, and improving customer interactions to foster credibility, trust, and informed purchasing.

Are apps for urban food purchasing and consumption meeting Italian consumers' needs? A mixed‐methods analysis

AbstractThe number of mobile phone apps downloads, especially those in the food and drink category, is growing worldwide. Such growth in digitalisation has brought the food industry and retailers to try and understand consumers new shopping needs and preferences to offer the best virtual experience to purchase food online. Past research rarely explore the features of the currently available apps for purchasing and consumption of agro‐food products compared with consumers' perception, barriers and drivers of online purchasing. The present research aims to fill this gap, in three steps. First, investigating consumers' perceptions of apps currently available for food purchasing and consumption, as well as drivers and barriers towards of online food purchasing and towards online food shopping from (peri)urban initiatives using the theory of consumer values as a theoretical framework (Study 1). Second, analysing the features of existent apps used at (peri)urban level and/or supporting (peri)urban food purchasing and consumption adopting the technology acceptance model as a theoretical framework (Study 2). Third, cross‐analysing consumer needs emerging from the survey with apps features. Quantitative data elaboration included a cluster analysis to group apps based on their features, and principal component analysis to identify consumers' key barriers and drivers. Results support how the desire to eat fresh and seasonal food is the main driver for buying from (peri)urban agriculture initiatives, whereas a more rational and aware food consumption are the drivers for choosing online over in person shopping. The most common type of apps are those aimed at food delivery, and those selling and buying food and providing food information. Restaurants and cafes are the main market channels for consumers' food online purchasing. When consumer needs (Study 1) and apps features (Study 2) are compared, a mismatch of the two emerges. Sustainability food profile and information on seasonal food are consumers' favourite features, but they are present in a limited number of apps. Results provide insights for marketing strategies and future research.

Mapping the Sustainability of Waste-to-Energy Processes for Food Loss and Waste in Mexico—Part 1: Energy Feasibility Study

Mexico generated 8.9 Mt of food loss and waste (FLW) at food distribution and retail centers in the year 2022. Traditional management methods in Latin America primarily involve final disposal sites, contributing to national greenhouse gas emissions of 0.22 Mt CO2 eq y−1. This creates an urgent need for sustainable valorization strategies for FLW to mitigate environmental impacts. This comprehensive study analyzes the geographical distribution of FLW generation and proposes a valorization approach using WtE-AD plants. Geographic information systems were employed for geographical analysis, life cycle assessment was used for environmental evaluation, and circular economy business models were applied for sustainability assessment. The primary objective of this first part of the contribution is to evaluate the technical feasibility of implementing waste-to-energy anaerobic digestion (WtE-AD) plants for FLW management in Mexico considering their geographical locations. The results demonstrate that WtE-AD plants with treatment capacities exceeding 8 t d−1 can achieve positive energy balances and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Specific findings indicate that these plants are viable for large-scale implementation, with larger plants showing resilience to increased transport distances while maintaining energy efficiency. The results highlight the critical influence of methane yields and transport distances on plant energy performance. This study underscores the importance of strategically placing and scaling WtE-AD plants to optimize resource efficiency and environmental sustainability. These findings provide essential insights for policymakers and stakeholders advocating for the transition of Mexico’s food supply chain toward a circular economy. Future parts of this study will explore detailed economic analyses and the policy frameworks necessary for the large-scale implementation of WtE-AD plants in Mexico. Further research should continue to develop innovative strategies to enhance the techno-economic and environmental performance of WtE-AD processes, ensuring sustainable FLW management and energy recovery.

Pengaruh Store Atmosphere dan Harga terhadap Revisit Intention Konsumen pada Kawisari Coffee dan Eatery Jakarta

Food and beverages are a component of the tourism industry that draws people to a location. Price and the atmosphere of the store, in addition to taste and product quality, can influence a customer's decision to shop. Kawisari Coffee & Eatery is a food and beverage retailer based in Jakarta. Many people who went to Kawisari Coffee & Eatery Jakarta had bad experiences because the hot environment made them feel uncomfortable and the prices weren't what they expected. Their decision to return may be influenced by this. The motivation behind this examination is to figure out how clients' expectations to get back to Kawisari Espresso and Restaurant Jakarta are impacted by the shop environment and costs. This study used quantitative descriptive methods. The sample for this study consists of customers who have made purchases at Kawisari Coffee & Eatery Jakarta. To gather information, polls were disseminated to 100 respondents utilizing the purposive inspecting methodology. SPSS Experiences 25 was used to play out different straight backslide examination on the data. With a normal t worth of 4.473 which is more unmistakable than the t table of 1.661 and a significance level of 0.000 which is more noticeable than 0.05, this investigation shows that (1) shop air basically influences plan to get back to. (2) Cost influences mean to get back to, with a basic worth of 0.317 more conspicuous than 0.05 and a normal t worth of 1.005 t table of 1.661. (3) The goal is to return to the combination of store climate and cost impacts, with an expected f-count value of 10.419 higher than the f-table value of 3.09 and an importance level of 0.000 higher than 0.05. The ideas that can be given for Kawisari Espresso and Restaurant Jakarta are to expand the quantity of climate control systems to keep clients from feeling overheated and focusing entirely on reasonable and cutthroat costs for clients to increment client encounters and animate client interests to visit once more.

A TESCO Magyarország fenntarthatósági és közösségi tevékenysége menedzsment összefüggésének vizsgálata

In their fifth sustainability management case study, the authors examine the focus, organizational processes, and operation of TESCO's responsibility and community activities in Hungary. On the one hand they executed analyses of publicly available company reports and internal documents, while on the other hand, they conducted semi-structured interviews with internal and external experts who play a key role in the added CSR activities. In addition to the descriptive presentation of the activities, the authors' work points out that there are many crutial organizational conditions for the effective management of organizational processes related to sustainability and communities, furthermore they highligted the possibilities and limitations of involving external parties and service providers, as well. The value of the case study is enhanced by the fact that no comprehensive case study presenting the sustainability activities of the leading domestic food retail companies has been published recently. Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) codes: A13, D6, F6, M14, M19, M38