Retail Stores Research Articles

Energy and emissions: Comparing short and long fruit cold chains

This paper evaluates GHG emissions and energy usage in “short” and “long” cold chains for oranges, table grapes, and apples transported from South Africa to a retail store in Scotland. Novel formulae assess energy usage and emissions based on cold chain duration. “Short” chains show carbon footprints between 0.87 and 1.28 kg CO2e/kg of saleable fruit, contrasting starkly with extended cold chains. Extending storage durations increases emissions; a one-month extension results in 24–27 % emissions for oranges and grapes and 16 % for apples. Six months of CA storage of apples increases emissions by 96 % compared to “short” cold chains. Energy consumption follows a similar trend as emissions. This research informs policymakers and consumers, emphasising the need for sustainable and “short“ cold chains. This is also the first paper that comprehensively assesses both the energy requirements and emissions outputs in a fruit supply chain based on the combined transport and storage duration of the cold chain from tree to retail markets.

What triggers customers’ privacy protection behavior: The effect of surveillance cameras and data collection disclosure

ABSTRACT Despite all the benefits of what customer data can bring to the marketing field, customers’ privacy concern is one of the key challenges that comes with Big Data, privacy threats have evolved along with the evolution of information technology and resulted in privacy protection behaviour among customers. The present research conducted an experimental study to examine the effects of external stimuli in triggering privacy protection behaviour, including the presence of surveillance cameras, company disclosure of biometric data collection, and customers’ prior knowledge of privacy. The study involved a 3 (environmental awareness: low/average/high) x 2 (company disclosure: yes/no) between subject designs. Data was collected on the Tencent questionnaire platform (https://wj.qq.com/) with 554 effective responses. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to analyze the data. The results revealed that the presence of surveillance cameras, company disclosure in biometric data collection, and the customer’s prior knowledge of privacy are crucial factors in triggering a customer’s privacy protection behaviour in the service industry. Practical implications for retail store operators and theoretical contributions are discussed. The current study extends the knowledge of privacy protection by incorporating additional factors (privacy literacy) into the existing protection motivation theory. Additionally, it extends its application to the physical environment which is often overlooked.

Investigating Potential Sources of Sore Throat: Physico-Chemical Attributes and Microbial Contamination in Rambutan from Fresh Harvests and Retail Stores

Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum), a tropical fruit cherished for its succulent flesh and vibrant appearance, is cultivated extensively across various regions worldwide. However, despite its popularity, the fruit faces challenges related to particulate contamination during the harvesting process. Particulate matter contamination refers to the presence of solid or liquid particles suspended in the air or adhered to the fruit's surface, posing potential risks to both consumer health and fruit quality. Hence, this study aims to identify the factors in rambutan that could cause sore throats by analysing its physicochemical properties and conducting a microbiological study. For this study, two samples of rambutan fruit which are rambutan sold in stores (RS) and rambutan freshly harvested from the tree (RT) were collected and analysed for their external peel, internal peel, and pulp parts (n = 3). The assessment included the weight of visible fine dirt, pH value, oil content, surface morphology and total coliform (TPC). The results showed that the weight of visible fine dirt on RT external peel (93.50 ± 5.00 mg) and the pH value of its external peel and pulp (4.17 ± 0.00 - 5.17 ± 0.00) were significantly higher and more acidic (p<0.05) than those of RS. However, there were insignificant differences (p>0.05) in oil content (0.36 ± 0.7 - 0.38 ± 0.8%) between the external peels of the rambutan samples. Additionally, the surface morphology and image analysis of RS showed more foreign particles, represented as black or white dots on its internal peel and pulp, compared to RT, which was suspected to be yeast. Moreover, the total coliform count for both samples was significantly different (p<0.05) in their external peel and pulp, but it was still within the safe eating limit. The study concluded that environmental pollution and contamination during rambutan handling could cause sore throat.

Design of a Mobile App Interface That Engages Community Members in a Food System Pilot Study.

Supermarkets are scarce in many under-resourced urban communities, and small independently owned retail stores often carry few fresh or healthy items. The Baltimore Urban food Distribution (BUD) mobile application (app) was previously developed to address supply-side challenges in moving healthy foods from local suppliers to retailers. In-app opportunities for consumers to indicate demand for these foods are crucial, but remain absent. We sought to understand community members' perspectives on the overall role, function and features of a proposed consumer-engagement module (BUDConnect) to expand the BUD app. A series of initial high-fidelity wireframe mockups were developed based on formative research. In-depth interviews (n = 20) were conducted and thematically analyzed using ATLAS.ti Web. Participants revealed a desire for real-time crowd-sourced information to navigate their food environments safely and effectively, functionality to help build community and social networks among store owners and their customers, opportunities to share positive reviews and ratings of store quality and offerings, and interoperability with existing apps. Rewards and referral systems resulting in the discounted purchasing of promoted healthy items were suggested to increase adoption and sustained app use. Wireframe mockups were further refined for future development and integration into the BUD app, the program and policy implications of which are discussed.

AI-Powered Autonomous Checkout System for Retail Stores

Abstract: Auto Bill offers a smart, automated checkout service for shops, leveraging state-of-the-art machine learning and computer vision technologies to provide an exceptional shopping experience. Designed to minimize interactions for security purposes during the pandemic, the innovation lies in utilizing modern techniques like image processing and weight sensors to create a novel shopping experience. This system aims to surpass traditional weight scales by incorporating advanced image recognition technologies, benefiting customers with a highly user-friendly interface, reduced checkout times, and improved accessibility. With a multifaceted approach involving deep learning neural networks and a web-based interface for transactions and inventory monitoring, Auto Bill envisions a future where retail checkout is taken to new heights. Supermarkets adopting this system can enhance customer service throughits advanced machine learning and camera technology, offering a seamless shopping experience. By integrating easily with existing POS systems, this solution streamlines operations and improves overall efficiency in the retail industry. With continuous testing and adjustments, Auto Bill aims to refine retail checkout to unprecedented levels of accuracy and customer satisfaction.

Analisis Store Atmosphere dan Sales Promotion terhadap Impulse Buying yang Dimediasi oleh Shopping Emotion pada Toko Ritel Modern Miniso di Kota Bandung

This research aims to analyze the influence of store atmosphere and sales promotion on impulse buying mediated by shopping emotion at the Miniso modern retail store in Bandung City. Quantitative approach method using surveys based on deductive reasoning. The sample collection technique used was purposive sampling. Data was obtained from a survey distributed online using a Likert scale questionnaire with cross-sectional or shot study data collection techniques. The research results show that store atmosphere and sales promotion have a positive effect on impulse buying directly. However, store atmosphere and sales promotion have no effect on impulse buying through shopping emotion. In conclusion, although store atmosphere and sales promotion have a direct influence on impulse buying, they do not influence shopping emotion. This shows that other factors may be more dominant in mediating the relationship between store atmosphere and sales promotion and impulse buying. Keywords: Store Atmosphere, Shopping Emotions, Impulsive Buying, Sales Promotion

Evaluation of Growth Strategies on the Organizational Performance of Retail Stores – A Case Study of Quick Mart Supermarket Stores In Nairobi, Kenya

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of growth strategies on the organizational performance of retail stores in Nairobi with Quick Mart supermarket stores in Nairobi as the case study. The question guiding this research was: How does technology adoption strategy impact the organizational performance of Quick Mart supermarket stores in Nairobi County? The blue ocean strategy theory provided support for this investigation. A descriptive research strategy was used. The target population for this study was 125 managers who work at Quick Mart. A purposive sampling procedure was used to obtain a sample size of 95. This study used both descriptive and correlational analysis as its research design. Data was gathered using structured questionnaires. The data gathered was analyzed through descriptive analysis and presented in tables. The findings indicated a Pearson correlation of 0.841 for technology adoption and the regression analysis indicated a beta coefficient of 0.620 for technology adoption. The study concluded that technology adoption had a highly positive significant impact on organizational performance. The study suggested that to improve organizational performance, growth tactics should be adopted more widely.

What makes consumers buy from the informal rather than formal retail market? A consumption value perspective

Purpose This paper aims to understand consumption values buying from informal retail markets (i.e., street vendor retailing). It also explores why consumers prefer daily necessary goods from the informal compared to the formal retail market (such as supermarkets, retail chain outlets and e-commerce). Design/methodology/approach Employing the qualitative research approach, this study collected data from nine respondents in two areas in Malaysia. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analysed using the thematic analysis technique. Only representative verbatim codes were presented under five themes of consumption value theory. Findings Consumers are triggered by the convenience, ease, and exclusive products (conditional value), friendly and known relationship with informal sellers, as well as the availability of some particular food items (emotional value) and lower price and freshness of groceries (functional value) while buying from informal compared to formal retail vendor. Research limitations/implications This study provides knowledge implications to the consumption value theory. Functional, emotional, and conditional values are the dominant components of purchase behaviour in informal compared to formal retail channels. Social values are common, whereas epistemic value is more substantial in formal retailing. Practical implications Findings are helpful for informal retail businesses to understand consumers' buying behaviour. Informal retail owners should ensure that commodities are fresh, highly affordable and available in the local communities. Building a friendly relationship with consumers would be a key to the success of this retail sector. Social implications Authorities should support informal sellers to set up mobile retail stores in residential areas. This effort would offer greater convenience to both parties in informal businesses and ensure informal sellers' financial and social well-being. Originality/value Despite the widespread acceptance of buying goods from informal retail vendors, research on consumption value in informal retailing is largely overlooked. Previous research primarily deals with formal market phenomena due to their size and economic contribution. Consequently, current literature lacks an understanding of why consumers prefer to buy from informal retail vendors for their daily groceries when the formal retail channel could fulfil similar needs. Using a qualitative research design, this research uncovers consumers' buying motives from informal compared to formal vendors.

A hybrid stochastic data envelopment analysis and decision tree for performance prediction in retail industry

Assessing the retail industry's efficiency is pivotal for economic growth and corporate productivity. This study employs a novel approach, utilizing a regression-based Stochastic Data Envelopment Analysis (SDEA) model, Balanced Scorecard (BSC), and Decision Tree. The integration of these methods is a pioneering effort in the retail sector. This is a data-driven decision-making framework, aiding managers in predicting efficient and inefficient Decision-Making Units (DMUs). Results from a case study in 44 retail store chains in Iran indicate that the accuracy of the SDEA model is 99%. The Decision Tree highlights low branch efficiency due to a low customer count, a unique finding in comparison to prior studies.

Appealing characteristics of E-cigarette marketing in the retail environment among adolescents

BackgroundNearly 3 million U.S. adolescents use e-cigarettes. E-cigarette marketing is associated with adolescent e-cigarette use; however, studies have not asked adolescents their perceptions about whether and which e-cigarette marketing in retail stores influences purchase and use. MethodsEleven 90-minute focus groups with 12–19-year-olds (mean age 15.7, 46.6 % female) from 11 U.S. states (n = 58) recruited through Instagram and schools (May 2021-Aug 2022). Photographs of e-cigarette marketing in and around retail stores were used to aid discussion. Thematic analysis identified themes related to appealing marketing characteristics. ResultsAdolescents indicated that e-cigarette marketing in and around retail stores arouses their curiosity, reminds them to buy, and normalizes using e-cigarettes. Adolescents identified specific e-cigarette marketing characteristics that they believed influence their decision to purchase and use e-cigarettes including the Tobacco Power Wall, free samples and flavor smelling samples, price incentives such as discounts and starter-kits, e-cigarette displays near checkout encouraging grab-and-go, displays near food, snacks or candy, and e-cigarette advertising through posters on store windows and stickers at checkout. Adolescents reported combining online and social media strategies to bypass age verification in retail stores (e.g., buying gift cards online and using them in stores). Adolescents suggested adding warning images on negative health effects of e-cigarettes, increasing prominence of minimum-age-of-tobacco-sale signs, and developing marketing education as counter-marketing strategies. ConclusionsAdolescents indicate that specific e-cigarette marketing characteristics in retail stores influence their purchase and use decisions. Addressing such e-cigarette marketing exposures in retail stores through counter-marketing messages may bolster adolescent e-cigarette prevention efforts.

Mark Ups and Pass-Through in Small and Medium Retailers for Rice, Tomato Sauce and Oil

Abstract In this paper, we recover and decompose markups, and estimate the pass-through rates from cost to prices in small and medium retail stores for oil, tomato sauce, and rice in Uruguay using a structural model of demand and assumptions about the competitive behavior of producers. The market power for these products has been under study by the Commission of Promotion and Defense of Competition since 2016, and the proposed methodology allows for a deeper exploration of the measurement and understanding of the origin of that market power. In addition to providing a fundamental input for competition defense policies in Uruguay, this study enhances the international academic literature by contributing evidence on cost-to-price pass-through in a developing economy with potentially greater market power than that found in developed countries. About 65 % of the market power under the Nash Bertrand assumption is explained by the ability of firms to differentiate products and 35 % by the ownership structure in the case of oil and sauce. In the case of rice, 49 % is explained by differentiation and 51 % for ownership structure. Finally, the pass-through rates are low for the three products, being under both behavioral assumptions lower than 55 % for the three products.

Inventory Management System

For organizations that handle transactions involving consumer goods, an inventory management system is critical for quality control. A huge retail store could run out of supply of a critical item if inventory is not properly managed. When it’s time to reorder, an effective inventory management system will notify the retailer. This inventory management system is also useful for tracking huge shipments automatically. Counting each pair of stocks by hand will almost certainly result in a mistake. The risk of human error can be reduced by using an automated inventory management system. An Inventory Management System also aids in the tracking of retail product theft, providing useful information regarding store revenues and the need for theft-prevention devices. Scanning a barcode on the item or a barcode scanner is how Automated Inventory Management Systems function. The central computer system then keeps track of this data. The purchase order can also include a list of items that need to be pulled for packaging and shipping. In this situation, the Inventory Management System can perform a range of tasks. It can assist a warehouse worker in locating things on an order list, encoding shipment information such as tracking numbers and delivery addresses and removing purchased items from the inventory tally to maintain a correct count of in-stock items. All of this information works together to give firms real-time inventory tracking data. The simple search in a database makes it easy to find and look at inventory information in real-time.The inventory management system project abstract tells the overall function of the software. It consists of the reason why the project was proposed and the solutions made to answer the needs of the targeted users. To enlighten you with this, here’s the Inventory Management System Project Abstract

A benchmark dataset for the retail multiskilled personnel planning under uncertain demand

In this data article, we present and describe datasets designed to address multiskilled personnel assignment problems (MPAP) under uncertain demand. The data article introduces simulated datasets and a real dataset obtained from a retail store in Chile. The real dataset provides details on the structure of the store, including the number of departments and workers, the type of labor contract, the cost parameter values, and the average demand across all store departments. The simulated datasets, consisting of 18 categorized text files, were generated through Monte Carlo simulation to encapsulate information about the stochastic demand for store departments. These text files are classified based on: (i) type of sample (in-sample or out-of-sample), (ii) type of truncation method (zero-truncated or percentile-truncated), and (iii) demand coefficient of variation (5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%). This categorization allows academics and practitioners to select the scenarios that meet with their specific research or application needs, increasing the flexibility and applicability of the datasets. In addition, researchers and practitioners can use these comprehensive real and simulated datasets to benchmark the performance of diverse optimization methods under uncertain demand, thereby ensuring robust multiskilling levels for similar MPAPs. Furthermore, we offer an Excel workbook with the capability to generate up to 10,000 demand scenarios for varying coefficients of variation in demand.

Data-driven decision-support system for expansions in retail stores: Dexter

ABSTRACT The expansion of retail stores is an important decision in the retail industry, involving significant investments and long-term consequences for customer service, satisfaction, and revenue growth. The decision-making process for store expansion is complex, and requires detailed information and a multilevel view of store operations over time. Yet, the literature shows a scarcity of data-driven decision-support systems for retail store expansions. To address this gap, we propose a data-driven decision support system called Dexter, which provides store expansion recommendations using a novel ensemble algorithm. Dexter was developed in collaboration with an industry partner, who provided access to various critical datasets. The results of the evaluation with domain experts show that Dexter has the potential to assist store owners in making informed decisions for retail store expansions. This work paves the way for further research and acts as an entry point to attract more works in this under-researched area.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Consumer Perceptions of Local Food Market Channels

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on food systems. Despite disrupting conventional markets—such as grocery stores—farmers that focused on short supply chains found new market opportunities. As consumers increasingly became concerned with the safety of in-person shopping, some turned to purchasing directly from farmers and markets that carried products marketed as local, organic, and/or sustainable. With these changes in mind, I ask how consumer perceptions of local food systems (LFSs) changed in the two years after COVID-19. If consumers are more aware of local markets, farmers might reorient production to focus on local supply chains and sustainable production methods. To evaluate consumer perceptions, I use survey responses from residents in five communities in the US South in 2019 and 2022. Using a treatment effects model with propensity score matching, I show that residents became more aware of most local market channels, such as specialty retail stores and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Some residents were also more likely to have a positive perception of markets that provide fresh vegetables to low-income residents. Finally, residents wanted more investment into markets that make fresh, local products more available, such as community-owned groceries and CSA.

Proposal of innovative smart solutions for retail store in order to support competitiveness and sustainable development

The Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming an increasingly important concept in various areas of our daily lives. With the development of information and communication technologies, the possibilities of IoT implementation are also expanding. The retail sector is also starting to make more significant use of IoT to improve and increase the efficiency of its business processes and more effective interaction with customers. Even though several partial IoT solutions have been implemented in retail, according to publicly available sources, there is no comprehensive IoT implementation in this sector. Therefore, we focused on the possibilities of creating a comprehensive proposal for the use of IoT in a retail enterprise in Slovakia. The main reasons for this transformation are the development of intelligent technologies, the increased demand of consumers for more convenient purchases and the efficiency of business processes, as well as to increase the competitiveness of the company. The aim of the contribution is to create a proposal for the implementation of IoT in retail, which will contribute to the sustainable development and competitiveness of the company. The result of the contribution is the creation of a proposal for the integration of the Internet of Things in retail, while the proposal is also applicable in other similar enterprises. The research methodology includes secondary sources and primary inquiry using an online questionnaire. The results of the primary research showed that a large part of respondents are interested in using IoT solutions in retail and that the implementation of these solutions affects their purchasing behavior. The conclusions of the paper indicate that the implementation of IoT solutions in retail would have a positive impact on the competitiveness of businesses. Factors that influence the choice of brick-and-mortar and online stores by customers were also identified. Customers’ interest in IoT solutions, as well as their preferences when choosing stores, represent a guideline for businesses operating in the retail sector. The implementation of the proposed solutions is relatively demanding on financial resources, therefore a good financial condition of the company is a necessary condition. Further research should focus on the security risks, barriers, ethical privacy issues associated with the use of IoT in retail stores.

Sources of exposure to non-tobacco nicotine electronic nicotine delivery systems and associations with susceptibility to use and use behaviors among young adults in the United States.

The Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) industry recently introduced non-tobacco nicotine (NTN), which is not tobacco-derived and is often marketed as "tobacco-free nicotine." Given its novelty, it is important to understand where young adults learn about NTN ENDS. This study examined sources of exposure to NTN ENDS and relationships with NTN ENDS use and susceptibility. We analyzed online survey data collected in Fall 2021 from 642 young adults (18-25 years) who had heard of NTN ENDS. We assessed 9 sources of NTN ENDS exposure (e.g., retail stores, social media) and examined associations between sources of exposure and NTN current (past-month) use, lifetime (non-current) use, and susceptibility to use, adjusting for demographics and other tobacco product use. Participants reported current NTN ENDS use (37.4%), lifetime use (12.0%), susceptibility (18.5%), or no susceptibility to use (32.1%). The most common sources of NTN ENDS exposure were retail stores (87.7%) and social media (81.0%). Exposure to NTN ENDS via social media was associated with greater odds of current NTN ENDS use (vs. no susceptibility) (aOR = 1.83, 95%CI: 1.02-3.28). Exposure via online streaming platforms was associated with greater odds of current (aOR = 1.75, 95%CI: 1.08-2.82) and lifetime NTN ENDS use (aOR = 2.42, 95%CI: 1.25-4.68). Young adults were exposed to and learned about NTN ENDS from diverse sources, primarily retail shops and social media. Further, exposure via social media and streaming platforms were associated with NTN ENDS use. Future studies should explore the content of NTN information from various sources to inform prevention efforts.

Determinants of Tomato Seed Purchasing Decisions among Coimbatore Farmers

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) typically constitutes an essential part of the daily diet and it has great demand round the year. The commercial value of tomato in terms of direct consumption, processing as well as trade has risen substantially in recent years. The top ten major tomato producing countries are China, India, USA, Turkey, Italy, Egypt, Spain, Iran, Brazil and Mexico of the world area and production. China ranks first in an area under tomato 10 lakh hectares with annual production of 50 million tonnes fallowed by India ranks second in an area under 8.8 lakh hectare with annual production of 18 million tonnes. Among the tomato cultivation districts, Coimbatore district was purposively selected, which accounted tomato area of 3033 ha. The collected data were analysed with reference to the objectives set forth for the study. The analytical techniques employed in this study are explained by Conventional (Percentage) analysis, Factor analysis, Marko chain analysis, Garrett ranking technique, Multi-dimensional scaling technique. Our study revealed that, nearly 52% of the sample farmers learned about hybrid tomato seeds via dealers, and the majority of the farmers (65%) are aware that hybrid tomato seeds exist in the Coimbatore district. Retail stores make up the majority of places to shop (76 percent). Approximately 60% of farmers favor making purchases with cash. Family members account for 71% of the information that influences a decision to purchase tomato seeds. The purchase of distinct firm seeds is influenced by several key elements, including recommendations from other farmers, prior experience, retailer insistence, advertising campaigns, and demonstrations.

Who Will Spare a Dime? Impulse Giving Decisions at the Checkout

Campaigns asking for donations at the checkout of retail stores through rounding-up, donating an amount, or purchasing a token are becoming ubiquitous. The concept of “checkout charity” is really one of impulse giving, i.e., a prosocial activity done under time constraints. Industry reports inform us how much money the corporate campaigns are generating, but we have yet to develop a philanthropic profile of an “impulse giver” or compare them with traditional donors. Using the social heuristics hypothesis, this research helps us to better understand impulse giving and the individuals who engage in it. Women, the middle class, and those who are married or divorced were all more likely to give at the register. In contrast with formal giving, education levels had little relation to giving, and those approaching and over 50 years old were less likely to give. Familiarity with the charity and being Black or African-American correlate with greater amounts donated.

Analysing the spatial pattern of retail store locations in the urban environment of accra using GIS

Analysing the spatial pattern of retail store locations in the urban environment of accra using GIS