Retail Sales Research Articles

Flavored Tobacco Product Use Among California Adolescents Before and Immediately After a Statewide Flavor Ban.

In December 2022, a California law banned the retail sale of most flavored tobacco products (including e-cigarettes). This investigation evaluates adolescents' use of flavored tobacco before and after enactment. The Teens Nicotine and Tobacco Project included online surveys of California adolescents (age 12-17) in 2022 (N=5127) and 2023 (N=5015) that assessed past 30-day use of various tobacco products, flavored product use, and perceived access to flavored e-cigarettes. Eight focus groups conducted in 2023 and 2024 (total N=35) queried flavored tobacco experiences and perceptions. Among participants who used specific products, the prevalence of flavored product use declined for cigarettes (2022: 72.0%; 2023: 57.2%), cigars (2022: 87.2%; 2023: 67.4%), and smokeless tobacco (2022: 93.1%; 2023: 83.1%) but not for e-cigarettes (2022: 91.0%; 2023: 90.7%) or hookah (2022: 88.1%; 2023: 85.6%; the flavor law exempted some hookah sales). In 2023, 10.2% of all participants used any flavored tobacco product (2022: 10.0%), primarily flavored e-cigarettes (2022: 8.6%; 2023: 8.8%). In 2023, 22.0% of all participants were aware of the statewide flavor ban, including 44.1% of participants who reported tobacco use. Few focus group participants were aware of the statewide law or perceived difficulties accessing flavored e-cigarettes. Shortly following a statewide flavor ban, adolescent use of flavored cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco declined, but flavored e-cigarette use was unchanged. More time for implementation and enforcement may be needed to see full policy impact. These finds suggest that a statewide flavored tobacco policy in California was followed shortly by declines in adolescent use of some flavored tobacco products. Additional time for implementation and enforcement, along with potential further actions, such as greater restrictions on online sales, could be necessary to curb youth access to flavored e-cigarettes.

Should Faking Ability on Pre-Employment Tests Be Reviled or Revered in Retail Sales?

Should Faking Ability on Pre-Employment Tests Be Reviled or Revered in Retail Sales?

Seasonal Long Memory in Retail Sales in the G7 Countries

Seasonal Long Memory in Retail Sales in the G7 Countries

Patterns of nicotine pouch use among young Australians

BackgroundDespite increasing interest in the use of nicotine pouches in Australia – where retail sale of the products is illegal – research exploring patterns of pouch use and reasons for use is lacking. Accordingly, this study explored young Australians’ experiences with nicotine pouches. MethodsAn online survey was administered to 1,598 Australians aged 16-39 years (53% women). We assessed (i) awareness and use (lifetime and past 30-day) of nicotine pouches, (ii) patterns of use (e.g., flavours and nicotine strength used), (iii) product source, and (iv) reasons for use. Regression analyses were conducted to assess socio-demographic predictors of awareness and use. ResultsJust over three-quarters (77%) of the sample reported being aware of nicotine pouches. Lifetime use was reported by 26% of respondents and past 30-day use by 19%. Among those who reported past 30-day use, fruit (35%) and menthol/mint (34%) flavours were most common. In terms of pouch source, one-third (33%) reported obtaining the product from a tobacconist. The most common reasons for use were “they come in flavours I like” (34%) and “to help me quit smoking” (32%). Awareness, lifetime use, and past 30-day use of nicotine pouches were more likely among men, those who reported current use of tobacco products, and those who reported current use of e-cigarettes. ConclusionsAwareness and use of nicotine pouches among young Australians may be substantial enough to warrant the inclusion of items measuring pouch use in national surveys. Efforts should be made to better enforce existing laws regarding the sale of nicotine pouches.

The U.S. Carbonated Beverages Market: A Competitive Profile

This is the twenty-second paper—and the 23rd and 24th studies--that follow the footsteps of twenty-two studies that have tried to analyze the competitive profiles of U.S. consumer markets: Men’s Shaving Cream, Beer, Shampoo, Shredded/Grated Cheese, Refrigerated Orange Juice, Men’s Razor-Blades, Women’s Razor-Blades, Toothpaste, Canned Soup, Coffee, Potato Chips, Alkaline AA Battery, Facial Tissue, Toilet Paper, Paper Towel, Disposable Diapers, Sanitary Pads, Automatic-Dishwasher Detergent, Hand-Dishwashing Detergent, Household Liquid Non-Disinfectant Cleaner, Heavy-Duty Liquid Laundry Detergent, and Deodorant.Michael Porter associates high market share with cost leadership strategy, which is based on the idea of competing on a price that is lower than that of the competition.However, customer-perceived quality—not low cost—should be the underpinning of competitive strategy, because it is far more vital to long-term competitive position and profitability than any other factor. So, a superior alternative is to offer better quality vs. the competition.In most consumer markets, a business seeking market share leadership should try to serve the middle class by competing in the mid-price segment; and offering quality better than that of the competition: at a price somewhat higher to signify an image of quality, and to ensure that the strategy is both profitable and sustainable in the long run. The middle class is the socio-economic segment that represents about 40% of households in America.Quality, however, is a complex concept, consumers generally find difficult to understand. So, they often use relative price, and a brand’s reputation, as a symbol of quality.The U.S. Carbonated Beverages is a mega-market that had retail sales of $14,178 million in 2008. It had six segments: Cola Regular, Cola Diet, Non-Cola Regular, Non-Cola Diet, Lemon-Lime Regular, and Lemon-Lime Diet. We have combined them in two studies: Cola Regular and Diet Carbonated Beverages, and Non-Cola--Lemon-Lime Regular Carbonated Beverages, with 2008 retail sales, respectively, of $6,639 million, and $5,415 million.For both markets we have focused our analysis on the 12-Oz size because it was the most popular.Using Hierarchical Cluster Analysis, we tested two hypotheses: (I) That the market leader is likely to compete in the mid-price segment, and that (II) Its unit price is likely to be higher than that of the nearest competition.For the Cola Carbonated Beverages market, the data did not support Hypothesis I for both 2008 and 2007, because Coca-Cola Classic Regular, the market leader, was a member of the super-premium segment.Similarly, the data did not support Hypothesis II for both 2008 and 2007 either, because Pepsi Regular, the runner-up, had a unit price that was higher than that of the market leader, Coca-Cola Classic Regular.For the Regular Non-Cola--Lemon-Lime Carbonated Beverages market the data also did not support Hypothesis I because Mountain Dew, the market leader, was a member of the premium segment for both 2008 and 2007.However, the data did support Hypothesis II, because, Dr. Pepper, the runner-up, had a unit price that was lower than that of the market leader, Mountain Dew for 2008 and 2007.We found that relative price was a strategic variable, as we have hypothesized.We also discovered two strategic groups in the Cola Carbonated Beverages market, and four in the Non-Cola--Lemon-Lime Regular Carbonated Beverages market. A pattern is emerging in price-quality segmentation analysis. In thirteen of the twenty-four studies—that exclude Men’s Razor-Blades, Women’s Razor-Blades, Coffee, Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Disposable Diapers, Sanitary Pads, Liquid Heavy-Duty Laundry Detergent, Deodorants, Cola Carbonated Beverages, and Regular Non-Cola--Lemon-Lime Carbonated Beverages—the market leader was found to be a member of the mid-price segment, as we have hypothesized.Also, results in eleven markets supported Hypothesis II.

Strategic challenges in retail sales

The outbreak of a full-scale war has shaken up the domestic economy, including the retail sector, which performs important tasks for the state. This was a significant blow to the country, as the retail sector is one of the largest emp­loyers in many countries around the world. It also contributes to the overall growth of production and economic develop­ment in general, generates significant tax revenues, etc. However, despite the continuation of martial law, the retail sector is working to normalize processes and adapt to future challenges. For these reasons, the hypothesis is formulated that current trends should meet the challenges of retail, compensate for losses through new approaches and solutions. To achieve this hypo­thesis, general scientific and special research methods such as analysis and synthesis, system-structural analysis and generalization were used. The key strategic challenges for modern retailers, such as climate change, staff shortages, pressure on supply chains, and martial law in Ukraine, are investigated. It is found that the main trends in the market are aimed at digitalizing the work of companies, their optimization, to create a comfortable environ­ment that can meet the needs of the modern consumer. Modern retailers should work not only on the quality of products and services, but also on the brand and policy, which should intersect with the current values of consumers. Such trends can reduce the impact of negative phenomena on the work of trade enterprises, as they are able to reduce losses and the need to attract new employees. It was found that the nearest forecasts are related to the introduction of artificial intelligence and other digital technologies in retail operations, the expansion of the influence of companies in the virtual environment, and the personalization of products for certain categories of the population. The conducted research makes it possible to characterize the retail of the future, to determine what features a modern business should possess in order to remain competitive on the market.

A Better Way of Understanding the US Consumer: Decomposing Retail Sales by Household Income

Changes in retail spending reflect changes in consumer demand for goods. For the past several months, retail sales estimates published by the Census Bureau have indicated that consumer demand for retail goods remains resilient. However, published measures do not provide details on which consumers’ spending has remained resilient. Using a detailed micro dataset, we construct a measure of average retail spending for low-, middle- and high-income households.

MEDIA IN SHAPING THE IMAGE OF POLISH AGRICULTURE FROM THE FARMERS’ PERSPPECTIVE

The research aimed to verify farmers’ views on the impact of content presented in various types of media on the image of Polish agriculture. The 147 responses obtained show that the surveyed farmers negatively assess the impact of traditional media on the image of Polish agriculture. Content presented via social media was positively received. How the media present aspects of agricultural activity and the farmer’s profession in contact with retail customers turned out to be more critical for farmers running smaller farms (36% of respondents rated this issue as necessary). Respondents recognized the importance of presence in social media, but the most frequently mentioned was gaining customers’ trust (73%). Social media presence was more important for farmers operating on smaller farms – those where retail sales were more common. The growing awareness of the needs of modern consumers is indicated by the high percentage of respondents noting that building relationships with customers requires reliable information about product features (53%), concern for the state of the natural environment (46%) and animal welfare (37%).

The U.S. Deodorant Market: A Competitive Profile

This is the twenty-first paper—and the 22nd study--that follows the footsteps of twenty one studies that have tried to analyze the competitive profiles of U.S. consumer markets: Men’s Shaving Cream, Beer, Shampoo, Shredded/Grated Cheese, Refrigerated Orange Juice, Men’s Razor-Blades, Women’s Razor-Blades, Toothpaste, Canned Soup, Coffee, Potato Chips, Alkaline AA Battery, Facial Tissue, Toilet Paper, Paper Towel, Disposable Diapers, Sanitary Pads, Automatic-Dishwasher Detergent, Hand-Dishwashing Detergent, Household Liquid Non-Disinfectant Cleaner, and Heavy-Duty Liquid Laundry Detergent.Michael Porter associates high market share with cost leadership strategy, which is based on the idea of competing on a price that is lower than that of the competition.However, customer-perceived quality—not low cost—should be the underpinning of competitive strategy, because it is far more vital to long-term competitive position and profitability than any other factor. So, a superior alternative is to offer better quality vs. the competition.In most consumer markets, a business seeking market share leadership should try to serve the middle class by competing in the mid-price segment; and offering quality better than that of the competition: at a price somewhat higher to signify an image of quality, and to ensure that the strategy is both profitable and sustainable in the long run. The middle class is the socio-economic segment that represents about 40% of households in America.Quality, however, is a complex concept, consumers generally find difficult to understand. So, they often use relative price, and a brand’s reputation, as a symbol of quality.The U.S. Deodorant Market had retail sales of $1,324million in 2008. It had five segments: Aerosol, Cologne Type, Rollon, Stick/Solid, and Remaining Deodorants. We have chosen the Stick/Solid segment because it was by far the largest with 2008 U.S. retail sales of $911 million, constituting 69% sales of this market.We have focused our attention on the 2.5-2.8 Oz size because it was the most popular.Using Hierarchical Cluster Analysis, we tested two hypotheses: (I) That the market leader is likely to compete in the mid-price segment, and that (II) Its unit price is likely to be higher than that of the nearest competition.For both 2008 and 2007, the data did not support Hypothesis I because Secret, the market leader, was a member of the premium segment.For 2008, the data supported Hypothesis II, because Dove (2.6 Oz), the runner-up, had a price lower than that of Secret, the market leader.For 2007, technically, the data did not support Hypothesis II, because the unit price of Dove (2.6 Oz) with a unit price of $3.36, was just a little higher than the $3.29 unit price of the market leader, Secret (2.6 Oz).So, we have determined, that for all practical purposes, the data did not negate Hypothesis II.We found that relative price was a strategic variable, as we have hypothesized.We also discovered three strategic groups in this market.A pattern is emerging in price-quality segmentation analysis. In thirteen of the twenty-two studies—that exclude Men’s Razor-Blades, Women’s Razor-Blades, Coffee, Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Disposable Diapers, Sanitary Pads, Liquid Heavy-Duty Laundry Detergent, and Deodorants—the market leader was found to be a member of the mid-price segment, as we have hypothesized.Also, results in eleven markets supported Hypothesis II.

Multi-factor fuzzy sets decision system forecasting consumer insolvency risk

The objective of this study is to develop a multi-factor decision system predicting insolvency risk for natural persons with the use of fuzzy sets. Considering that the financial situation of households is affected by various endogenous and exogenous factors, the main assumption of this study is that the system for predicting financial difficulties should not be limited to the use of only a few financial variables concerning consumers, but also include variables describing the environment. The author proposes a system consisting of three different forecasting models that connect the macroeconomic and microeconomic environments. It monitors the economic situation of households by also identifying those environmental variables, which may directly, or indirectly, endanger the consumer, such as unemployment rate (job market situation), inflation and interest rates, exchange rates, or economic situation in the country (GDP growth rate, the dynamics of retail sales, etc.). Moreover, the created cause-and-effect tool is in the form of a flexible application that can be easily adapted to changing economic conditions. Another unique feature of the study is the proposed use of newly developed ratios in household finance, similar to that in financial ratio analysis, which is commonly used in corporate finance. The proposed ratios demonstrated high predictive abilities. The paper also identifies the predictive capabilities of selected macroeconomic variables from the perspective of their impact on the risk of consumer insolvency. The research relies on four samples consisting of a total of 2400 consumers from Taiwan and Poland. The author created three forecasting models separately for the South-East Asian and Central European regions, and two multi-factor systems, each consisting of 1260 decision rules. The findings clearly showed that fuzzy logic is a significantly more effective method compared to traditional models based on classical logic.

The Effects of Health Expenditures on Health Outcomes in Türkiye

Aim: In this study, time series and regression analyses were conducted to understand and explore the impact of both public and private health expenditures on health outcomes in Türkiye. Methods: In the study, life expectancy at birth, human development index, disability-adjusted life years per 100,000 people, and share of total health expenditures in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) were employed as dependent variables. Total public and private health investments, current health expenditures for hospitals, current health expenditures for retail sales, and other medical equipment providers were used as independent variables. The data included the period between 2002 and 2019. Results: The results confirm the positive impact of health expenditures in Türkiye, especially public and private health investments, and hospital current expenditures on the burden of disease. However, surprisingly, the results revealed that both public and private health expenditures had no impact on life expectancy at birth, the Human Development Index, or the share of total health expenditures in GDP. As a significant finding, this study demonstrated that public and private health investments and current hospital expenditures in Türkiye have shown improvements in disease burdens, indicating that investment decisions in this area are crucial in terms of both short-term and long-term benefits. Conclusion: These results support the efforts of the country to create a sturdy, objective, and proof-based decision-making process.

A Proposed Framework of E-Customer Satisfaction in China: E-Service Quality, Trust, Repurchase Intention

China's decision-making and deployment on accelerating the development of the digital economy in 2023 will promote e-commerce to play an important role in restoring and expanding consumption and promoting the integration of digital and real, and high-quality development will achieve positive results. Online retail sales for the whole year were 15.42 trillion yuan, an increase of 11%. The rivalry in China's e-commerce sector has increased along with the growth of the sector and the notable rise in merchant numbers. This research theoretically explores the characteristics of e-commerce on customer satisfaction, given that it is impacted in this context. The evaluated literature identifies crucial elements and problems to establish a research framework for this article's upcoming empirical studies.

The price elasticity of heated tobacco and cigarette demand: Empirical evaluation across countries.

The market for heated tobacco products (HTPs) has grown rapidly in recent years, and many governments have started to include HTPs in tax codes to regulate their use. Currently, the evidence on how HTP prices impact tobacco use behaviors or whether consumers consider them as economic substitutes for cigarettes is lacking. This study is the first to answer these questions with a unique database to assess the own- and cross- price elasticities of HTP and cigarette demand. We collect a unique database of quarterly retail prices and sales of heated tobacco units and comparable scale cigarettes from 2014 to 2022, available for most countries where both HTPs and cigarettes are sold, and estimate the own- and cross- price elasticities of cigarette and HTP demand using a seemingly unrelated regression model. We find that HTP demand is price elastic (i.e., sensitive to prices) and has an own-price elasticity of -1.2 to -1.3, about four times greater than the own-price elasticity of cigarettes, which is about -0.3. We also find that cigarettes and HTPs are weak economic substitutes: while HTP demand is responsive to higher cigarette prices, cigarette demand is not sensitive to HTP prices. Our results suggest that tax policies that increase HTP and cigarette prices simultaneously will reduce HTP consumption without increasing cigarette consumption.

Spatial patterns and their influencing factors for China’s catering industry

The catering industry plays an essential role in providing life services. Understanding its spatial patterns offers insights into the economic, cultural and spiritual image of a society. Especially in urban settings, the catering industry is often considered a key element for improving the competitiveness of cities. With rapid urbanization and economic growth in China, the catering industry has become the main driving force to stimulate China’s service sectors. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive spatial analysis to explore the distribution patterns by calculating kernel density and applying the geographically weighted regression (GWR) model with 4.49 million restaurants across 336 cities in China in 2020. The restaurants were categorized into four types: Chinese restaurants (CRs), Western restaurants (WRs), fast-food restaurants (FFRs), and dessert and drink restaurants (DDRs). We incorporated a diverse set of socio-economic indicators to explore potential causal influences, including population size and density, GDP, etc. Our study revealed a gradual decrease in restaurant density from southeast to northwest China, with high density observed in the Pearl River Economic Delta, Yangtze River Economic Delta, Chongqing, and Chengdu regions. In terms of the potential influencing factors, we observed that in west and southwest regions, density appeared to be more affected by GDP per unit area, total tourism revenue, disposable income per capita of urban residents, and total retail sales of social consumption. While in northeast areas, restaurant density was more affected by total retail sales of social consumption, GDP per unit area, number of urban population, and the proportion of tertiary industry in GDP. These insights serve as a direct scientific foundation for informing the strategic planning of different types of restaurants at municipal, provincial, and regional levels.

Surveillance of AMR in Escherichia ⁠coli on Raw Fresh Beef and Pork Meat in Retail Sale in Northern Ireland in 2023

• Mandatory anonymised reporting (without product details) under EU regulation 2020/1729 (https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Feur-lex.europa.eu%2Flegal-content%2FEN%2FTXT%2F%3Furi%3Duriserv%3AOJ.L_.2020.387.01.0008.01.ENG=05%7C02%7C%7C728e0578d2584889e4b308dcac7237a7%7C8a1c50f901b74c8aa6fa90eb906f18e9%7C0%7C0%7C638574853788123226%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C=KmvOFBnQh8Nlkib8E6S2hsMSMyJrJeQA%2FosdNhJvZtM%3D=0) for the monitoring and reporting of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in zoonotic and commensal bacteria has been submitted to the EU for antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolated from fresh pork and beef purchased for retail sale in NI from September to December 2023. • In this survey 96 pork and 98 beef fresh retail meat samples were tested for AMR E. coli according to EU guidelines. • No isolates were resistant to last line antibiotics, including colistin and carbapenems. • The prevalence of AMR E. coli was low (3%) from 194 raw fresh beef and pork samples. • The risk of acquiring AMR related infections through the handling and consumption of retail contaminated meats is very low, provided that good hygiene and cooking practices are followed when handling raw meats.

Influences of Gender, Age and Income Differences on Consumers’ Purchase Items

This paper studies whether gender, age and income differences matter for in-store purchases of selected non-durable and durable consumer goods in the Southwest region of the State of Louisiana. Primary data are collected by face-to-face interviewing of randomly selected adult population within the age groups 15 years to 64 years, and above. Using the collected primary data for categorical variables, -tests are implemented for six separate null hypotheses of statistical independence between/among variables of interest. The results reveal that only gender difference matters the most for in-store purchases of both non-durable and durable goods in the region. Age and income differences to have no significant influences on such purchases. As the findings suggest, the regional in-store retailers should focus more on female shoppers to promote sales of non-durable goods. At the same time, they should focus more on male shoppers for promotion of sales of durable goods in the region. Due cautions are in order for any kind of generalization of the findings of this study, given the extreme regional characteristics of the primary data. Key Words: Retail Sales, In-Store, Non-Durable Goods, Durable Goods, Shoppers, Age, Gender, Income JEL Classifications: D10, D11, D12

The mediation effect of supervisor support and total rewards on the relationship between flexible work arrangements and turnover intentions in Gen Z

Purpose Flexibility in the workplace is increasingly considered an important aspect of human resource strategy aimed at attracting and retaining a high-quality workforce. The purpose of this study is to explore the direct relationships between both employee- and employer-centered flexible work arrangements and turnover intentions, specifically focusing on Generation Z employees. In addition, this study also examines the mediating role of supervisor support and total rewards in these relationships. Design/methodology/approach This study used a quantitative research design using a cross-sectional survey method to gather data from employees born from 1995 across three industries – logistics, retail sales, and manufacturing. Partial least-squares structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. The survey was conducted online, ensuring a diverse geographical spread and adherence to the representativeness of Generation Z within these sectors. Findings Contrary to existing literature, the findings reveal no direct correlation between flexible working arrangements (FWAs) and turnover intentions in this demographic. Instead, the results highlight the significant mediating roles of perceived supervisor support and total rewards. Specifically, these factors were found to influence turnover intentions in relation to the availability of employee-centered FWAs. The findings provide theoretical and practical implications, suggesting an adaptation of human resource strategies to better align with the preferences and expectations of Generation Z in the workplace. Originality/value In contrast to existing literature, this study examines the relationship between the availability of two different types of flexible work arrangements (employee- and employer-centered) and turnover intentions, specifically among Generation Z employees. In addition, this research introduces mediation analysis to investigate the roles of perceived supervisor support and total rewards – constructs that have been rarely considered in the context of these relationships.

Analysis of Factors Influencing Total Retail Sales of Consumer Goods in Hainan Province, China

The total retail sales of social consumer goods is a comprehensive reflection of a country's consumption capacity, consumption structure and living standard, which is of great significance for evaluating a country's economic vitality and social development level. In recent years, with the continuous expansion of the consumer market and the improvement of consumers' purchasing power, the total retail sales of social consumer goods has continued to grow, and its role in the national economy has gradually increased. However, there are many factors that affect the total retail sales of social consumer goods, including economic environment, policies and regulations, consumer behavior and so on. Under this background, this paper takes Hainan Province as the empirical research object, and selects per capita disposable income, rural residents' per capita disposable income, gross domestic product, resident population at the end of the year and local government's general budget expenditure as explanatory variables to analyze the factors affecting the total retail sales of social consumer goods. The results show that the average disposable income of rural residents and the general budget expenditure of local governments are significant factors affecting the total retail sales of social consumer goods in Hainan Province. Finally, the model is analyzed economically, and some conclusions are drawn, and some policy suggestions are put forward.

Education, organizational changes, and enforcement challenges of the 2019 flavored tobacco sales restriction in Massachusetts

ObjectivesIn November 2019, the Massachusetts legislature passed An Act Modernizing Tobacco Control and became the first state to restrict retail sales of all flavored (including menthol) cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and other tobacco products (the Act). Additional tobacco control policies and health insurance coverage for tobacco treatment were included as part of the Act. Implementation of these policies occurred between November 2019 and June 2020. This study explored challenges and facilitators during the implementation of the Act experienced by public health officials, school personnel, and healthcare providers. MethodsWe conducted in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of 9 public health officials and advocates, 9 school personnel, and 8 healthcare providers from March to December 2021. We conducted thematic analysis of interview transcripts using inductive codes of key themes emerging from the interviews. ResultsInterviewees highlighted three key themes that impacted the implementation of the Act: 1) Education of those impacted by the Act, 2) Organizational-level changes to incorporate the Act, and 3) Enforcement challenges. Examples of challenges to the implementation of the Act included COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, navigating tobacco industry tactics around naming flavors, and confusion regarding health insurance coverage for tobacco use cessation programs. Examples of facilitators were enforcement leading to retailer compliance, committed advocacy efforts of leadership/champions, and strong coordination within and between organizations. ConclusionsThese findings of Massachusetts’s experience in policy implementation can inform the preparation to implement similar tobacco control policies in other states.

Impact of Spatial Characteristics on Gendered Retail Consumption in Seoul: A Gender-Sensitive Urban Planning Perspective

This study examines the impact of spatial characteristics on gendered retail consumption in Seoul, South Korea, providing empirical evidence for gender-sensitive urban planning. Gender-sensitive urban planning integrates gender perspectives into all stages of urban development, aiming to address the diverse needs and experiences of all genders spatially. While existing research has predominantly focused on gender differences in labor participation, this study shifts the focus to retail consumption, which is a critical aspect of daily life. Our research analyzes the spatial attributes of urban spaces at the neighborhood scale and their influence on aggregated retail consumption by gender. The aggregated retail sales by census output area (jipgyegu) represent the aggregated retail consumption. Utilizing spatial regression methods, this study identifies significant spatial autocorrelations and clustering patterns in retail sales data. The findings reveal that traditional markets, less-developed commercial areas, and specific retail sector (retailing, medical, and educational services) densities positively impact SMW (subtraction of men’s retail sales from women’s retail sales), while city center areas, developed commercial districts, special tourism zones, and specific retail sector (restaurants and entertainment) densities have negative impacts.