Retail Stores Research Articles

Disclosure of mandatory and voluntary nutrition labelling information across major online food retailers in the USA.

Nutrition labelling is mandatory on food products in retail stores, but compliance in the rapidly expanding online setting remains unclear. We assessed mandatory and voluntary labelling information across major U.S. online retailers. Between January and August 2022, we evaluated a representative basket of sixty food and beverage items across eight product categories of ten major retailers. We evaluated online presence, accessibility and legibility of four mandatory elements - Nutrition Facts, ingredients, allergen statements and percent juice for fruit drinks - and presence of seven voluntary elements - nutrient content claims, health/qualified health claims, ingredient claims, structure-function claims, additive claims, front-of-package nutrient profiling symbols and other marketing claims. Major online food retailers in the USA. N/A. On average, each mandatory element was present, accessible and legible for only 35·1 % of items, varying modestly by element (from 38·3 % for ingredients lists to 31·5 % for Nutrition Facts) but widely by retailer (6·6-86·3 %). Voluntary elements were present for 45·8 % of items, ranging from 83·7 % for marketing claims to 2·0 % for structure-function claims. Findings were generally consistent across the eight product categories. Voluntary elements were more frequently present than accessible and legible mandatory elements for six of ten retailers and seven of eight product categories. Mandatory nutrition label elements are not commonly present, accessible and legible in online retail settings and are less consistently present than marketing elements. Coordinated industry and regulatory actions may be needed to ensure consumers can access mandatory nutrition information to make healthy and safe food choices online.

Data analytics for visualization of business insights for an online retail store using Python

In today’s world, data is becoming an organization's most important asset. Businesses have easy access to large amounts of data from a range of sources, and when those data are processed quickly and reliably, the chances of obtaining useful insights to inform data-driven decision-making are significantly increased. Modern corporate strategy must include data analytics because it offers critical insights that improve operational efficiency and decision-making. Using data analytics to visualize company insights can significantly improve a number of areas for an online retail store, including marketing strategy, customer experience, inventory management, and sales. This paper aims a thorough examination at the main areas, methods, and approaches that may be used to delve into business insights using data analytics, as well as the advantages it has for online retailers using a sample online retail dataset.. Keywords: Data Analytics, Data Visualization, Inventory, Sales Analysis, Descriptive Analytics.

Study of Factors Affecting Consumers’ Online Clothing Purchase Intention

Online shopping has taken a crucial position in the 21st century, because most people are busy with their working life and make them having less time to go for shopping. In this case, online shopping purchase is the easiest and most appropriate channel for them to do their purchase. Internet has rapidly developed into a global perspective as it has changed the way for customers to shop. The spread of the internet causes the term of “online shopping” exist in year 1979. It is said that online marketing has gained huge popularity and importance all over the world. It is expected that by the end of 2040, the number would increase to more than 1.5 billion as far as internet user is concerned. One of the famous product that customers purchase online was clothing. However, there is a limited research being done regarding on how the customers in Sibu, Sarawak (Malaysia) purchase their clothes, whether they purchase at the retail store or do their purchase online. So, this research study seeks to explore what are the factors affecting customers’ online clothing purchase intention in Malaysia, particularly in Sibu, Sarawak.

Advanced Analytics for Retail Inventory and Demand Forecasting

Achieving operational efficiency and enhancing customer satisfaction levels in the retail sector is directly dependent on efficient inventory management and accurate demand forecasting. The following study employs advanced analytics techniques, such as time series forecasting and machine learning, to bolster these essential functions. By leveraging on historical sales data from 45 retail stores sourced by Kaggle, this paper has constructed predictive models with the aim to optimize inventory levels and forecast demand with precision. The Seasonal AutoRegressive Integrated Moving Average with Exogenous Regressors (SARIMAX) model employed in this study adequately captures linear dependencies and seasonal patterns, while Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks are responsible for the management of intricate, non-linear dependencies. The findings from this study depict the significant seasonal trends, the impact of economic factors, the impact of economic variables and the effectiveness of hybrid models in improving forecast accuracy. The integration of such advanced methodologies clearly highlights their massive potential in improving aspects such as inventory management and operational efficiency in the retail domain.

Research on the Predictive Ability of Economic Policy Uncertainty on Stock Returns of Industries

In recent years, the emergence of economic policy uncertainty has had a certain impact on stock returns. It can be used as a research object to explore whether economic policy uncertainty can significantly predict future stock returns. This paper studies the predictive ability of economic policy uncertainty based on relevant data from major industries in the United States from January 1985 to December 2023, including Food industry (Food), Retail Stores industry (Rtail), Fabricated Products industry (FabPr), Drugs, Soap, Perfumes, Tobacco industry (Cnsum), Construction and Construction Materials industry (Cnstr), Consumer Durables industry (Durbl), Automobiles industry (Cars), Textiles, Apparel & Footwear industry (Clths), Machinery and Business Equipment industry (Machn), Chemicals industry (Chems), and Transportation industry(Trans), Utilities industry (Utils), Steel Works Etc industry (Steel), Mining and Minerals industry(Mines), Oil and Petroleum Products industry (Oil), and Banks, Insurance Companies, and Other Financials industry (Finan). Through both in-sample and out-of-sample examines, it is found that economic policy uncertainty is a reliable indicator for predicting stock returns, and its predictive performance is better in Food industry, Retail Stores industry, Fabricated Products industry, Transportation industry, Construction and Construction Materials industry, Consumer Durables industry, Automobiles industry, Textiles, Apparel & Footwear industry, Machinery and Business Equipment industry, Chemicals industry, and Drugs, Soap, Perfumes, Tobacco industry than in Utilities industry, Steel Works Etc industry, Mining and Minerals industry, Oil and Petroleum Products industry, and Banks, Insurance Companies, and Other Financials industry. Meanwhile, by replacing the measurement indicator of economic policy uncertainty, conducting long-horizon forecasting, and using different evaluation periods for robustness checks, it is found that the research conclusions are robust.

ELEMENTS OF RETAIL STORE INTERIOR DESIGN : A QUALITATIVE STUDY ON ENHANCING CUSTOMER IN STORE EXPERIENCE

This research aimed to formulate the essential elements in retail store interior design. The retail store landscape is expected to undergo significant changes and trends in 2024. In this context, digitalization is expected to grow directly in proportion to e-commerce. Several AI-related concepts are also becoming increasingly favored. There are opportunities to explore key design elements in adapting to these developments. A good understanding of these elements can enhance the store’s image and create a positive experience. A qualitative method was also used to obtain 10 participants through focus group discussions involving retail store visitors as well as experts and interior product designers. The results showed that there are several important elements in designing retail store interiors, including physical elements such as the exterior area, interior area, display area, interior layout, and point of purchase. These physical elements play a significant role in creating an attractive and functional store appearance. Additionally, social elements are also important, including merchant characteristics, merchant outfits, crowding, customer characteristics, and privacy. These elements help in creating symbols and meanings relevant to visitors. Therefore, retail interior design that considers the store exterior, store interior, interior layout, and store displays can create a pleasant and meaningful shopping experience for customers

Pengaruh Green Marketing Communication terhadap Green Behaviour (Studi Kasus Pemberdayaan Penggunaan Kantong Plastik pada konsumen Alfamart di Kota Bandung)

Plastic waste is a major problem in environmental pollution, both on land and at sea. Indonesia is ranked second in producing plastic waste in the world's oceans. The Ministry of Environment and Forestry stated that plastic waste generated from 100 retail stores or members of the Indonesian Retailers Association (APRINDO) reached 10.95 million pieces of plastic waste within one year. The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) created a paid plastic bag policy to address the plastic waste problem. The aim of this research is to determine the influence of green marketing communication on green behavior regarding empowering the use of plastic bags among Alfamart consumers. The data collection technique used was purposive sampling which is included in non-probability sampling with a total of 100 respondents who had used paid plastic bags at Alfamart in Bandung City aged 17 years and over. The empirical data in this research was collected using a one-shot study approach and then processed and analyzed using simple regression using SPSS version 26. The results of the research show that green marketing communication has a positive effect on green behavior. Therefore, Alfamart management can prioritize improving all the indicators that make up green marketing communication because it is hoped that this can have a positive impact on green behavior.

LLM for Retail Business (Optimizing Clothing Sales with AI)

This research paper presents an end-to- end implementation of a chatbot system tailored for the retail industry, utilizing a large language model (LLM). The chatbot is designed to assist employees of retail stores, such as clothing outlets, by providing real-time access to critical business data, including inventory levels, sales metrics, and profit margins. The solution aims to streamline decision- making processes, enhance operational efficiency, and improve information accessibility by reducing dependency on manual data retrieval. This approach leverages advanced natural language processing to simplify the interface between business systems and employees, ensuring accurate and timely responses to queries.

Transfer of beef bacterial communities onto food-contact surfaces.

Food spoilage and pathogenic bacteria on food-contact surfaces, especially biofilm-forming strains, can transfer to meats during processing. The objectives of this study were to survey the bacterial communities of beef cuts that transfer onto two commonly used food-contact surfaces, stainless steel (SS) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and identify potentially biofilm-forming strains. Top round, flank, chuck, and ground beef were purchased from 3 retail stores. SS and HDPE coupons (approximately 2cm × 5cm) were placed on beef portions (3h, 10°C), after which, the coupons were submerged halfway in PBS (24h, 10°C). Bacteria from the beef cuts and coupon surfaces (n = 3) were collected, plated on tryptic soy agar plates and incubated (5 days, 25°C). Bacterial isolates were identified by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and assayed for biofilm formation using a crystal violet binding (CV) assay (72h, 10°C). Additionally, beef and coupon samples were collected for bacterial community analysis by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Sixty-one of 972 beef isolates, 29 of 204 HDPE isolates, and 30 of 211 SS isolates were strong biofilm-formers (Absorbance>1.000 at 590 nm in the CV assay). Strong-binding isolates identified were of the genera Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Psychrobacter, Carnobacterium, and Brochothrix. Coupon bacterial communities among stores and cuts were distinct (p < 0.001, PERMANOVA), but there was no distinction between the communities found on HDPE or SS coupons (p > 0.050, PERMANOVA). The bacterial communities identified on the coupons may help determine the communities capable of transferring and colonizing onto surfaces, which can subsequently cross-contaminate foods.

HUBUNGAN ASUPAN MAKAN, DURASI TIDUR DAN AKTIVITAS FISIK DENGAN STATUS GIZI KARYAWAN TOKO RITEL KOTA BATAM TAHUN 2023

Background: Nutritional status remains a global issue, including in Indonesia. Nutritional status is influenced by several factors, namely food intake, sleep duration, and unbalanced physical activity, which can lead to either excessive or insufficient nutritional status. This study aims to investigate the relationship between dietary intake, sleep duration, and physical activity with the nutritional status of retail store employees in Batam City in 2023. Methods: This research is a cross-sectional analytical study with accidental sampling technique involving 60 samples. Food intake is measured using a semi-qualitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), sleep duration is measured using a questionnaire on average weekly sleep duration, physical activity is measured using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), and nutritional status is measured using the Body Mass Index (BMI) by measuring weight and height. Data analysis using correlation gamma test. Results: The correlation gamma test results indicate a significant relationship between food intake and nutritional status with a p-value of 0.000 (p ≤ 0.05)(r=0,919). However, the relationship between sleep duration and nutritional status resulted in a p-value of 0.137 (p &gt; 0.05)(r = -0,284), and the relationship between physical activity and nutritional status resulted in a p-value of 0.758 (p&gt;0.05)(r = -0,067). Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between food intake and the nutritional status of retail store employees in Batam City in 2023. However, there is no significant relationship between sleep duration, physical activity, and the nutritional status of retail store employees in Batam City in 2023. Keywords: Nutritional Status, Food Intake, Sleep Duration, Physical Activity

Fumonisins in infant cereals marketed as complementary food in Argentina

ABSTRACT Infant cereals are typically the first foods introduced as complementary foods. Cereals used to elaborate complementary foods, such as wheat, maize and rice, are susceptible to mycotoxin contamination. Among mycotoxins, fumonisins have been epidemiologically associated, in humans, with oesophageal cancer, neural tube defects and stunting. Fumonisins have been found in maize and wheat grains in Argentina. In the present study, a survey was conducted to determine their occurrence in 82 wheat-based and multicereal-based infant cereal items collected from retail stores in Rio Cuarto, Argentina, using HPLC-MS. Of these samples, 84% showed FBs contamination with levels ranging from 0.05 to 992 μg/kg). Although FB1 was the most prevalent fumonisin, FB2 was found at higher levels. Most samples had levels below the limit of 200 μg/kg set for Argentinean cereal products for children. The outcome of this survey provides information on the naturally presence of fumonisin in infant cereal intended for children in Argentina, which can be helpful to consider relevant monitoring programmes.

Antibiotic resistant bacteria in goat meat and hygienic practices among retail stores in Nashville, Tennessee

This study explores into the levels of coliform contamination, prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and the hygienic practices in goat meat retail stores. Goat meat from 10 retail stores was analyzed for E. coli, Salmonella, and S. aureus using serological and PCR methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Data on hygienic practices were collected through a structured observational questionnaire. Pearson’s correlation analysis was also employed to establish the relationship between hygienic practices and coliform loads. The average coliform loads on goat meat ranged between 0.88–5.04 log10 cfu/g. Our results revealed that 52% of examined goat meat was deemed unacceptable (&amp;gt;3.30 log10 CFU/g). The overall level of good meat handling practices among meat handlers in our study was 45.75%. Further, the study establishes a significant correlation between the level of food safety practices and coliform load. Hence, stores with higher hygienic practice scores exhibited lower coliform loads. The prevalence of S. aureus (44%) in goat meat was significantly higher (p &amp;lt; 0.05) as compared to E. coli (29%), and Salmonella spp. (20%). E. coli isolates displayed the highest resistance to penicillin (31.2%), Salmonella spp. to oxytetracycline (13.9%), and S. aureus to ampicillin (29.0%). Resistance was observed across selected antibiotic classes, particularly in beta-lactams and tetracyclines, with penicillin (78.5%) and oxytetracycline (64.5%) exhibiting notable resistance. Cephalosporin resistance was noted, with 48.4 and 33.3% of isolates showing resistance to cephalothin and cefpodoxime, respectively. Bacterial isolates also demonstrated resistance to phenicol antibiotics, including chloramphenicol (9.7%) and florfenicol (16.1%), respectively. Approximately 44.1% of bacterial isolates displayed multidrug resistance and MAR index ranged from 0.25 to 0.75. The study’s findings reveal heightened levels of coliform contamination, the presence of pathogenic and multidrug-resistant bacteria in goat meat, and suboptimal meat handling practices in retail stores. The significance of improving food safety practices in retail settings is emphasized to ensure the safety of goat meat, a matter of increasing importance due to its growing demand globally.

Consumer Perception And Willingness To Pay For Plastic Bags In Somalia's Traditional Markets: Evaluating The Ban's Effectiveness

The policy prohibiting the use of disposable plastic bags in Somalia represents a governmental effort to mitigate plastic waste accumulation. The policy's effectiveness remains uncertain, as it is implemented solely in modern retail stores, whereas the primary source of plastic bag waste originates from traditional markets. This study seeks to assess consumer perceptions of government policies concerning the ban on disposable plastic bags in traditional markets, as well as their willingness to pay for each plastic bag utilised. Data were collected through a survey questionnaire administered to consumers of traditional markets. The study's results indicated that most consumers concurred with the policy's implementation in traditional markets, albeit with a recommendation for gradual application. The implementation of paid plastic bags was also agreed upon. Their argument relies on the belief that the policy may enhance public awareness and concern regarding the reduction of disposable plastic bag usage. The average value of consumers' willingness to pay for a plastic bag is variable, indicating that consumers remain inclined to pay higher amounts. To decrease the utilisation of plastic bags within the community, it is essential to either increase the cost of plastic bags significantly or to explore alternatives, such as shopping baskets, reusable bags, or environmentally friendly plastic options

The Moderating Effect of Artificial Intelligence Marketing Activities on the Relationship between Brand Activism and Repurchase Intentions applied on E- Retail Stores in Egypt

The Moderating Effect of Artificial Intelligence Marketing Activities on the Relationship between Brand Activism and Repurchase Intentions applied on E- Retail Stores in Egypt

Drivers of Ethical Behavior Disruption among Drugstore Retailers: An Investigation on Customers' Perspective

In any retail store, it is necessary to maintain ethical behavior by the retailers by providing accurate information to the customer about the usefulness and side effects of the product, not inducing people in an unethical way to the customer so that the retailer can attract the attention of the customers. In addition, the dishonest behavior of drugstore retailers may lead to a massive health crisis in the community. Considering the novelty and significance of this issue, the current study aims to analyze the ethical behavior disruption of drugstore retailers. Quantitative research design has been utilized to analyze drugstore retailers' ethical behavior disruption from the viewpoint of consumers. A structured questionnaire was delivered to 219 customers using a convenient sampling technique. The PLS-SEM was utilized for data analysis. It is identified that the independent variables like easy access to antibiotics, charging higher prices, and selling expired medicine are responsible for the disruption of the ethical behavior of the drugstore retailers. In conclusion, it is noteworthy that the drugstore retailers in Bangladesh are not maintaining ethical behavior towards the customers, which is unacceptable. The paper strives to assist policymakers, particularly the Ministry of Health, in formulating strategies to combat the unethical practices of drugstore sellers in Bangladesh. Furthermore, future research might be conducted from the standpoint of different retailers.

Transcending Food-Miles: Unpacking the Drivers of In-Store Vertical Farming Adoption Among Food Retailers in France

This paper examines the potential of in-store vertical farming technologies in urban food retail as a solution to the increasing demand for fresh, locally sourced food. By enabling a “sell where you produce” model, vertical farming can reduce food miles, enhance traceability, and lower carbon emissions. The study applies the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to analyze factors influencing the adoption of these technologies among food retailers in Rouen, France, with a particular focus on the role of risk aversion in shaping attitudes and decisions. The findings highlight that performance expectancy and facilitating conditions are the key drivers of adoption intentions among retail store managers. However, perceived risks, such as high investments and operational costs, pose significant barriers, while social influence appears to have little impact on their decisions. The study underscores the importance of conducting economic evaluations and risk assessments of vertical farming practices to ensure their long-term viability. As vertical farming holds the potential to boost fresh food production in urban areas, reduce food miles, and create sustainable supply chains, it is crucial to carefully weigh its benefits and risks to support its successful adoption in urban food retail.

Innovation by Retail Store Salespersons:

Innovation by Retail Store Salespersons:

Sell your soul for a pot of gold: Privacy paradox in surveillance capitalism

The current study aims to examine the underlying psychological processes involved in privacy protection behaviors among tourists in retail environments using surveillance technologies. Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) and Privacy Calculus Theory (PCT) were employed to understand threat and coping appraisals, benefits (control vs monetary), and their relationships with protective behavioral intentions and actual behaviors. Data was collected from 554 respondents who had visited a retail store while traveling in the past 6 months using an online questionnaire. Three structural equation models, full mediation, partial mediation, and moderated mediation were tested and compared. The partial mediation model exhibited the best fit. Perceived severity and susceptibility increased protective behavioral intentions, while self-efficacy decreased intentions. Control compensation positively influenced intentions only. Behavioral intentions partially mediated relationships between independent variables and actual protective behaviors. No significant moderation effects were found. Integrating PMT and PCT addresses a significant gap in examining tourists’ privacy-protective behaviors in retail surveillance contexts. Additionally, it clarifies the effectiveness of control and monetary benefits in mitigating privacy concerns.

Developing Flowcharts for Hazard Analysis in Seafood Retail: Critical Control Point Verification

Background: Implementing Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) management across the supply chain is promoted globally to ensure the safety of marine food products due to their rapid quality deterioration. However, many seafood retail stores deviate from adopting these practices. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to create a flowchart based on HACCP and validate it in retail stores. Methods: Chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus), scallops (Patinopecten yessoensis), and whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) specimens were purchased from a supermarket from August to December 2020. The handling information of these products from receipt to sales was obtained to prepare an HACCP plan for retail stores. Groups adhering to and deviating from flowchart conditions were categorized as Critical Control Point (CCP)-compliant and CCP-deviant, respectively. Four samples of each product for each condition were analyzed. Bacterial viability was evaluated using the flat agar culture method. Escherichia coli and Vibrio parahaemolyticus were detected using the Brilliant Green-Lactose-Bile and material point methods, respectively. Product freshness was assessed by determining K-values using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. Results were compared using Student’s t-test. Results: At elevated storage temperatures, bacterial growth rates were higher in chub mackerel and whiteleg shrimp than those in scallops. E. coli was not detected in any sample, whereas V. parahaemolyticus was detected in scallops and whiteleg shrimp but not in chub mackerel. CCP-deviant refrigerated scallops had increased V. parahaemolyticus counts; however, it did not differ between the frozen scallop and whiteleg shrimp. K-values increased more rapidly in CCP-deviant chub mackerel, whiteleg shrimp, and refrigerated scallops, but not in frozen scallops. Inadequate temperature control during display and sale markedly deteriorated the quality of marine products. Conclusion: Setting CCPs for marine food product display and sale while controlling temperature can preserve product quality. The flowchart created in this study can be broadly used for marine retail stores.

Exploring the genetic variability, virulence factors, and antibiotic resistance of Listeria monocytogenes from fresh produce, ready-to-eat hummus, and food-processing environments.

Listeria monocytogenes is ubiquitous in nature and persistent in food-processing facilities, farms, retail stores, and home and restaurant kitchens. Current research suggests ready-to-eat (RTE) products (including RTE hummus and fresh produce) to be of increasing interest and concern. These foods are typically stored at refrigeration temperatures suited to the survival of L. monocytogenes and are consumed without further processing. Since L. monocytogenes is ubiquitous in agricultural environments, the cultivation of fresh produce predisposes it to contamination. The contamination of RTE foods originates either from raw ingredients or, more commonly, from cross-contamination within food-processing facilities. Research on the food-processing environment has been recommended to reduce the incidence of L. monocytogenes in foods. The consumption of contaminated foods by immunocompromised individuals causes invasive listeriosis, with a 20% to 30% fatality rate despite treatment. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains has reduced the effectiveness of modern medicine and may increase morbidity and mortality. Without epidemiological surveillance and identifying trends in disease determinants, no action can be taken to improve food safety and mitigate the risk of such outbreaks.