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This mixed methods study explored online grocery shopping perceptions by surveying individuals who do and do not receive SNAP benefits (n = 129) and by conducting interviews with SNAP recipients (n = 26) who have grocery shopped online. T-tests assessed survey findings, codebook thematic analysis was used to identify qualitative themes, and results were interpreted collectively. Survey results found no differences in perceptions of online grocery shopping between SNAP and non-SNAP recipients (p-values = 0.2-1.0) and that 97% of SNAP recipients felt comfortable using SNAP online. Five qualitative themes were identified and provided context to the survey results. The study findings can inform policy actions within SNAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tightening competition among food retailers stimulates them to develop new formats of stores for urban spaces, which also can be economically efficient in rural areas. Appearance of a new format of stores that excites clientele’s interest and is able to compete with pick-up points and liquor stores may become a key to the domination in the market. The paper examines the prospects of creating an optimal format for food retailers that hold potential for spread in rural areas. Methodologically, the study relies on a systems approach, the cyclical theory of retail, and spatial development theories. The method encompasses three stages: first, holding a comparative analysis of the format structure of food retailers for 2015–2023; second, evaluating the territorial distribution of the two formats of retail chains (hard discounters and convenience stores) using the case of Volga and Ural Federal Districts; third, determining new formats of retail chains outside cities. Based on the analysis of market trends in the development of retail chain stores the paper suggests a conceptual model of the optimal retail format for rural areas with respect to product range, pricing, distribution of sales area, and additional services. The suggestions about the improvements in the model of the retail format for rural areas may spur the retail trade growth and promote the development of trade infrastructure outside urban areas.

Good manufacturing practices play an important role in obtaining safe food and preventing foodborne diseases. To achieve this goal, food handlers must receive appropriate training to be aware of their responsibilities. In this work, compliance with specific personal hygiene requirements by food handlers was assessed in a cross-sectional study of traditional small retail establishments, namely butcher (n = 56) and fishmonger (n = 17) shops in Almada, Portugal. Food handlers (n = 140, of which 113 worked in butcher shops, and 27 worked in fishmonger shops) were interviewed for data collection, and retail establishments were audited considering specific hygiene requisites. In fishmonger shops, most food handlers are women (89%), aged 18 to 45 years (70%), with a high school degree, having worked for less than 5 years in this activity, while in butcher shops most food handlers are men (90%) over 45 years old (58%), with a basic education level, and more than 26 years of experience. Most food handlers (>95%) attended recent food safety and hygiene training courses and were able to recognize that hand sanitizers cannot replace a proper hand wash, and to identify Staphylococcus aureus transmission routes to food. However, approximately 23% of retail establishments failed to provide hot water in the handwashing basin and exhibited improper placement of handwashing instructions. Furthermore, these establishments did not implement corrective actions following non-conforming microbiological results of hand hygiene monitoring. These findings reinforce the need for consistent management commitment, and for providing food handlers with regular training, which is crucial for maintaining a strong food safety and hygiene culture in these traditional small retail establishments.

Good manufacturing practices play an important role in obtaining safe food and preventing foodborne diseases. To achieve this goal, food handlers must receive appropriate training to be aware of their responsibilities. In this work, compliance with specific personal hygiene requirements by food handlers was assessed in a cross-sectional study of traditional small retail establishments, namely butcher (n = 56) and fishmonger (n = 17) shops in Almada, Portugal. Food handlers (n = 140, of which 113 worked in butcher shops, and 27 worked in fishmonger shops) were interviewed for data collection, and retail establishments were audited considering specific hygiene requisites. In fishmonger shops, most food handlers are women (89%), aged 18 to 45 years (70%), with a high school degree, having worked for less than 5 years in this activity, while in butcher shops most food handlers are men (90%) over 45 years old (58%), with a basic education level, and more than 26 years of experience. Most food handlers (>95%) attended recent food safety and hygiene training courses and were able to recognize that hand sanitizers cannot replace a proper hand wash, and to identify Staphylococcus aureus transmission routes to food. However, approximately 23% of retail establishments failed to provide hot water in the handwashing basin and exhibited improper placement of handwashing instructions. Furthermore, these establishments did not implement corrective actions following non-conforming microbiological results of hand hygiene monitoring. These findings reinforce the need for consistent management commitment, and for providing food handlers with regular training, which is crucial for maintaining a strong food safety and hygiene culture in these traditional small retail establishments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal fuer Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

During the past five years, the e-grocery sector in China has experienced double-digit growth which accelerated at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Part of this hypergrowth was fueled by changing consumption patterns and pandemic-induced demand for contactless food delivery. However, this study highlights two other important but understudied drivers of the e-grocery boom -the rising financial investment and the deepening engagement of dot-com companies in the food retail sector. This study characterizes the recent financial investments in China's e-grocery sector and analyzes the food security implications, which contributes to the scholarly literature on financialization, corporate power, and digitization in the food system in novel ways. This study advances three research findings: a) the e-grocery sector has become a new site of financialization in the food sector; b) this new site was developed partly through pandemic-induced demand for food delivery and partly as a by-product of the expansion of China's dot-com economy; c) by the last quarter of 2021 and in 2022, many investors fled China's e-grocery sector after an anti-trust crackdown was launched and as most e-grocery businesses struggled to make a profit. Overall, the boom and bust of the e-grocery bubble in China posed multiple challenges to food security, such as causing cash flow crises for grocery suppliers and compromising fair competition in the grocery market. Furthermore, the twin processes of financialization and digitization have forged a mutually reinforcing relationship that has far-reaching implications for China's food system as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reporting key dietary indicators from sales data can help us guide store decision makers in developing effective store policy to support healthier customer purchases. We aimed to develop a web-based reporting tool of key dietary indicators from sales data to support health-promoting policy and practice in stores in geographically remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Tool development included identifying key dietary indicators (informed by sales data from 31 stores), community consultation (19 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander store directors and two store managers) and a web-build. Tool evaluation involved feedback interviews with stakeholders (25 store managers and two nutritionists). Key dietary indicators aligned with Australian Dietary Guideline food groupings and recommendations. An online portal for accessing and customising reports was built. Stakeholder feedback indicated that the strengths of the reports were the visuals, ease of interpretation, providing information that was not currently available and potential to increase capacity to support healthy food retailing. Difficulties were defining healthiness classification with alignment to other nutrition guidelines used and ensuring reports reached relevant store decision makers. This tool may be valuable to support store decision makers in identifying and prioritising nutrition issues and optimising the health-enabling attributes of stores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable transformations in some segments of the food system, which have recently occurred due to military conflicts, extreme climate events and epidemics, necessitate their in-depth study. Ensuring the population's physical and economic access to food to a certain extent depends on food retail (domestic retail trade), which, together with other components of the food system, has undergone transformation and requires an assessment of development trends. The article aims to identify development trends and transformations that occurred from 2012 to 2021 in Ukraine's food retail industry as a component of the food system. The study used general scientific and special methods: dialectical and logical to summarize the scientific basis for identifying transformations in food retail; economic-statistical – for processing and analyzing statistical data; tabular and graphical – for visualizing and summarizing the research results. The authors summarize conceptual approaches to the interpretation and essence of transformations in food systems and features of the formation of modern food policy. The differences in food retail transformations in modern and traditional food systems were revealed. Trends in the development and transformation of food retail during 2012-2021 were identified, including changes in the quantitative structure of stores and retail space, turnover volumes, profitability of trade, volumes of consumption of basic food products, consumer prices, etc. With the advent of Internet commerce, qualitative changes have occurred in serving consumers, mainly through creating online goods delivery services, mobile applications, and social networks. Using innovative food retail management technologies increases the efficiency of trade operations and improves product supply. As a result of the transformation of consumer priorities, health and sports nutrition stores and farm products have become stores with a focus on their safety and quality.

Abstract Numerous research methodologies have been used to examine food environments. Existing reviews synthesizing food environment measures have examined a limited number of domains or settings and none have specifically targeted Canada. This rapid review aimed to 1) map research methodologies and measures that have been used to assess food environments; 2) examine what food environment dimensions and equity related-factors have been assessed; and 3) identify research gaps and priorities to guide future research. A systematic search of primary articles evaluating the Canadian food environment in a real-world setting was conducted. Publications in English or French published in peer-reviewed journals between January 1 2010 and June 17 2021 and indexed in Web of Science, CAB Abstracts and Ovid MEDLINE were considered. The search strategy adapted an internationally-adopted food environment monitoring framework covering 7 domains (Food Marketing; Labelling; Prices; Provision; Composition; Retail; and Trade and Investment). The final sample included 220 articles. Overall, Trade and Investment (1%, n = 2), Labelling (7%, n = 15) and, to a lesser extent, Prices (14%, n = 30) were the least studied domains in Canada. Among Provision articles, healthcare (2%, n = 1) settings were underrepresented compared to school (67%, n = 28) and recreation and sport (24%, n = 10) settings, as was the food service industry (14%, n = 6) compared to grocery stores (86%, n = 36) in the Composition domain. The study identified a vast selection of measures employed in Canada overall and within single domains. Equity-related factors were only examined in half of articles (n = 108), mostly related to Retail (n = 81). A number of gaps remain that prevent a holistic and systems-level analysis of food environments in Canada. As Canada continues to implement policies to improve the quality of food environments in order to improve dietary patterns, targeted research to address identified gaps and harmonize methods across studies will help evaluate policy impact over time.

Abstract Background Environmental factors can impact the ability of food retail businesses to implement best practice health-enabling food retail. Methods We co-designed a short-item survey on factors influencing food retail health-enabling practice in a remote Australian setting. Publicly available submissions to an Australian Parliamentary Inquiry into food pricing and food security in remote Indigenous communities were coded using an existing remote community food systems assessment tool and thematically analysed. Themes informed survey questions that were then prioritised, refined and pre-tested with expert stakeholder input. Results One-hundred and eleven submissions were coded, and 100 themes identified. Supply chain related data produced the most themes (n = 25). The resulting 26-item survey comprised questions to assess the perceived impact of environmental factors on a store’s health-enabling practice (n = 20) and frequency of occurrence (n = 6). Conclusions The application of this evidence-informed, co-designed survey will provide a first-time cross-sectional analysis and the potential for ongoing longitudinal data and advocacy on how environmental factors affect the operations of remote stores.

Abstract Background Food retailers can be reluctant to initiate healthy food retail activities in the face of a complex set of interrelated drivers that impact the retail environment. The Systems Thinking Approach for Retail Transformation (START) is a determinants framework created using qualitative systems modelling to guide healthy food retail interventions in community-based, health-promoting settings. We aimed to test the applicability of the START map to a suite of distinct healthy food marketing and promotion activities that formed an intervention in a grocery setting in regional Victoria, Australia. Methods A secondary analysis was undertaken of 16 previously completed semi-structured interviews with independent grocery retailers and stakeholders. Interviews were deductively coded against the existing START framework, whilst allowing for new grocery-setting specific factors to be identified. New factors and relationships were used to build causal loop diagrams and extend the original START systems map using Vensim. Results A version of the START map including aspects relevant to the grocery setting was developed (“START-G”). In both health-promoting and grocery settings, it was important for retailers to ‘Get Started’ with healthy food retail interventions that were supported by a proof-of-concept and ‘Focus on the customer’ response (with grocery-settings focused on monitoring sales data). New factors and relationships described perceived difficulties associated with disrupting a grocery-setting ‘Supply-side status quo’ that promotes less healthy food and beverage options. Yet, most grocery retailers discussed relationships that highlighted the potential for ‘Healthy food as innovation’ and ‘Supporting cultural change through corporate social responsibility and leadership’. Conclusions Several differences were found when implementing healthy food retail in grocery compared to health promotion settings. The START-G map offers preliminary guidance for identifying and addressing commercial interests in grocery settings that currently promote less healthy foods and beverages, including by starting to address business outcomes and supplier relationships.

This pilot study assesses barriers to obtaining healthy affordable food and the early-stage acceptability of a novel subsidized healthy frozen meal product designed to address food insecurity and nutritional status among corner store customers in rural North Carolina. A convenience sample of 50 customers were surveyed to examine the perceived availability of healthy food options, barriers to maintaining healthy diets, food shopping and consumption habits, and reception of the product. Findings confirmed barriers to obtaining healthy foods that the product seeks to address, the validity of corner stores as the intervention site, and approval of the product's taste and concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) are highly prevalent among supermarket cashiers. These disorders are frequently related to the adoption of awkward postures and manual materials handling. This study aimed to analyze musculoskeletal loadings in supermarket cashiers, considering the handling of different products and different checkout conditions. To accomplish this, we employed an inertial motion capture system to measure full-body kinematics while simulating 19 cashier tasks. The study included five female cashiers from a supermarket in Northern Portugal, ranging in age from 19 to 61 years old. Using joint angles, material load, and muscle function as input parameters, we conducted the musculoskeletal loadings assessment using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) methods. Results showed that RULA scores were higher for the microtasks that involved product scanning. Regarding microstasks analyzed by REBA, the replacement of paper rolls for the receipt machine at the checkout counter yields the highest scores. Based on these findings, there is a compelling need to redesign supermarket checkout workstations to alleviate the physical demands placed on cashiers and to ensure organizational sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous research methodologies have been used to examine food environments. Existing reviews synthesizing food environment measures have examined a limited number of domains or settings and none have specifically targeted Canada. This rapid review aimed to 1) map research methodologies and measures that have been used to assess food environments; 2) examine what food environment dimensions and equity related-factors have been assessed; and 3) identify research gaps and priorities to guide future research. A systematic search of primary articles evaluating the Canadian food environment in a real-world setting was conducted. Publications in English or French published in peer-reviewed journals between January 1 2010 and June 17 2021 and indexed in Web of Science, CAB Abstracts and Ovid MEDLINE were considered. The search strategy adapted an internationally-adopted food environment monitoring framework covering 7 domains (Food Marketing; Labelling; Prices; Provision; Composition; Retail; and Trade and Investment). The final sample included 220 articles. Overall, Trade and Investment (1%, n = 2), Labelling (7%, n = 15) and, to a lesser extent, Prices (14%, n = 30) were the least studied domains in Canada. Among Provision articles, healthcare (2%, n = 1) settings were underrepresented compared to school (67%, n = 28) and recreation and sport (24%, n = 10) settings, as was the food service industry (14%, n = 6) compared to grocery stores (86%, n = 36) in the Composition domain. The study identified a vast selection of measures employed in Canada overall and within single domains. Equity-related factors were only examined in half of articles (n = 108), mostly related to Retail (n = 81). A number of gaps remain that prevent a holistic and systems-level analysis of food environments in Canada. As Canada continues to implement policies to improve the quality of food environments in order to improve dietary patterns, targeted research to address identified gaps and harmonize methods across studies will help evaluate policy impact over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Environmental factors can impact the ability of food retail businesses to implement best practice health-enabling food retail. Methods: We co-designed a short-item survey on factors influencing food retail health-enabling practice in a remote Australian setting. Publicly available submissions to an Australian Parliamentary Inquiry into food pricing and food security in remote Indigenous communities were coded using an existing remote community food systems assessment tool and thematically analysed. Themes informed survey questions that were then prioritised, refined and pre-tested with expert stakeholder input. Results: One-hundred and eleven submissions were coded, and 100 themes identified. Supply chain related data produced the most themes (n = 25). The resulting 26-item survey comprised questions to assess the perceived impact of environmental factors on a store's health-enabling practice (n = 20) and frequency of occurrence (n = 6). Conclusions: The application of this evidence-informed, co-designed survey will provide a first-time cross-sectional analysis and the potential for ongoing longitudinal data and advocacy on how environmental factors affect the operations of remote stores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to conduct a bibliometric mapping and systematic review of the food retail industry's resilience strategy in the context of COVID-19. Specifically, we aim to identify relevant research gaps in the industry during the pre-, during, and post-pandemic periods and highlight the differences between B2B and B2C sectors. We analyzed articles in the Scopus database from 2019 to 2022 using the PRISMA method for article selection, resulting in a total of 69 articles. We employed a VOS viewer for bibliometric mapping. Our analysis revealed that most studies focused on the impact of COVID-19, with only a few examining the pre- and post-pandemic periods critically. In the B2C context, we identified two major topics: changes in purchasing and consumption behavior, and food waste and safety. In the B2B sector, the two most recurrent subjects were retailers' strategies and supply chain management. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers by exploring industry trends and for scholars by highlighting future research agendas based on the identified topics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Food retailers can be reluctant to initiate healthy food retail activities in the face of a complex set of interrelated drivers that impact the retail environment. The Systems Thinking Approach for Retail Transformation (START) is a determinants framework created using qualitative systems modelling to guide healthy food retail interventions in community-based, health-promoting settings. We aimed to test the applicability of the START map to a suite of distinct healthy food marketing and promotion activities that formed an intervention in a grocery setting in regional Victoria, Australia. Methods: A secondary analysis was undertaken of 16 previously completed semi-structured interviews with independent grocery retailers and stakeholders. Interviews were deductively coded against the existing START framework, whilst allowing for new grocery-setting specific factors to be identified. New factors and relationships were used to build causal loop diagrams and extend the original START systems map using Vensim. Results: A version of the START map including aspects relevant to the grocery setting was developed ("START-G"). In both health-promoting and grocery settings, it was important for retailers to 'Get Started' with healthy food retail interventions that were supported by a proof-of-concept and 'Focus on the customer' response (with grocery-settings focused on monitoring sales data). New factors and relationships described perceived difficulties associated with disrupting a grocery-setting 'Supply-side status quo' that promotes less healthy food and beverage options. Yet, most grocery retailers discussed relationships that highlighted the potential for 'Healthy food as innovation' and 'Supporting cultural change through corporate social responsibility and leadership'. Conclusions: Several differences were found when implementing healthy food retail in grocery compared to health promotion settings. The START-G map offers preliminary guidance for identifying and addressing commercial interests in grocery settings that currently promote less healthy foods and beverages, including by starting to address business outcomes and supplier relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dilemma: This teaching case raises a fundamental question: Are the current company’s marketing strategies able to sustain its growth, or should it consider focusing on digital transformation? Educational objective: To empower students in debating complex issues, proposing alternatives for the company’s future and considering business strategy, digital transformation, and consumer behavior. Background: The data collection for the case comprised an in-depth interview with the group’s vice president and documentary analysis based on news and information about the retail group on the Internet and social networks. The results indicated that the usage of heuristics, such as anchoring, significantly impacts consumer choices. Main topic: The marketing strategies of a food retail company, Grupo Supernosso, in Belo Horizonte (MG), Brazil, from the perspective of Consumer Behavior. It uses the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Theory of Heuristics as its theoretical bases. The case investigates how the company’s actions can influence consumers’ purchasing decisions, such as the organization of products on the shelves and the architecture of the stores. Audience: Undergraduate and postgraduate marketing students and training programs for marketing and management executives. Originality/value: This study offers opportunities for learning and debate about the future impacts on businesses, considering that the competitive edge is based on the emotional components of the consumer experience. The case stimulates critical reflection on innovative alternatives for sustaining the company in the face of emerging digital disruptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Alcance is the property of Universidade do Vale do Itajai and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Annals of the Polish Association of Agricultural & Agribusiness Economists is the property of Polish Association of Agricultural & Agribusiness Economists and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Sustainable transformations in some segments of the food system, which have recently occurred due to military conflicts, extreme climate events and epidemics, necessitate their in-depth study. Ensuring the population's physical and economic access to food to a certain extent depends on food retail (domestic retail trade), which, together with other components of the food system, has undergone transformation and requires an assessment of development trends. The article aims to identify development trends and transformations that occurred from 2012 to 2021 in Ukraine's food retail industry as a component of the food system. The study used general scientific and special methods: dialectical and logical to summarize the scientific basis for identifying transformations in food retail; economicstatistical - for processing and analyzing statistical data; tabular and graphical - for visualizing and summarizing the research results. The authors summarize conceptual approaches to the interpretation and essence of transformations in food systems and features of the formation of modern food policy. The differences in food retail transformations in modern and traditional food systems were revealed. Trends in the development and transformation of food retail during 2012-2021 were identified, including changes in the quantitative structure of stores and retail space, turnover volumes, profitability of trade, volumes of consumption of basic food products, consumer prices, etc. With the advent of Internet commerce, qualitative changes have occurred in serving consumers, mainly through creating online goods delivery services, mobile applications, and social networks. Using innovative food retail management technologies increases the efficiency of trade operations and improves product supply. As a result of the transformation of consumer priorities, health and sports nutrition stores and farm products have become stores with a focus on their safety and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The public health burden of obesity and non-communicable diseases in Mexico is one of the highest in the world, and one of its main causes is the change in diet of the population. The urban food environment has been suggested as a key contributor towards the increasing deterioration in diets. Our objective was to present the first spatial and health characterization of the food environment of Mexico City. The data source was the National Statistics Directory of Economic Units 2020, which provides data on the urban supply of food and beverages. Food outlets were classified into 14 types according to the food items that are mainly sold. Local spatial autocorrelation methods were used to assess the existence of spatial patterns. The results suggest all types of food outlet showed high- density clusters and low -density clusters, with the geographic location of these clusters varying based on the type of establishment and by socioeconomic status of the census tracts. This paper puts forward a health-based classification of food retail outlets, to identify the spatial distribution of food outlets in relation to nutrition and health. This could guide researchers and policymakers towards improvements, particularly to direct interventions towards specific areas of the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the determinants and impacts of rising market concentration in food retail. We argue that the differentiated nature of food retail complicates the common assumption that rising market concentration is evidence of growing market power and rising prices. We provide a theoretical explanation for rising market concentration but relatively unchanging market power and prices. We also provide empirical data on prices, gross margins, profit margins, and demand elasticities to support our hypothesis that rising fixed costs have been the main driver of rising market concentration with little impact on market power and prices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current tools scoring the healthiness of food retail outlets do not reflect outlets found in rural locations. This study aimed to adapt pre-existing Australian scoring tools to represent non-metropolitan areas. Rural nutrition experts were identified, and a modified Delphi technique was used to adapt two pre-existing, food-scoring tools in five iterative stages. Stages included identifying all relevant outlets, providing a description and score for each, ensuring consistency between outlet scores and pre-existing, metro-centric tools, and providing instructions for correct use. Six rural nutrition experts were identified and engaged in the modified Delphi technique. The final tool consisted of 12 categories of food outlets and listed 35 individual outlets. Consistent with pre-existing Australian tools, scores ranged from +10 to −10 and included descriptions reflective of rural retail outlets. Scores were based on whether the majority of foods offered within the outlet were consistent with foods recommended in national health guidelines. The developed tool was designed to accommodate the diverse nature of food retail outlets found in non-metropolitan areas. This study assists in explaining the link between the food environment and health in populations living rurally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research into the link between food environments and health is scarce. Research in this field has progressed, and new comprehensive methods (i.e., incorporating all food retail outlets) for classifying food retail environments have been developed and are yet to be examined alongside measures of obesity. In this study, we examine the association and temporal trends between the food environment and BMI of a repeated cross-sectional sample of the adult population between 2008 and 2016. Methods: Food retail data for 264 postal areas of Greater Melbourne was collected for the years 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2016, and a container-based approach was used to estimate accessibility to supermarkets, healthy and unhealthy outlets. Data on BMI for postal areas was obtained from the Victorian Population Health Survey (n = 47,245). We estimated the association between the food environment and BMI using linear mixed models. Results indicated that BMI increased as accessibility to healthy outlets decreased by up to −0.69 kg/m2 (95%CI: −0.95, −0.44). BMI was lower with high and moderate access to supermarkets compared to low access by −0.33 kg/m2 (−0.63, −0.04) and −0.32 kg/m2 (−0.56, −0.07), and with high access to unhealthy outlets compared to low access (−0.38 kg/m2: −0.64, −0.12) and moderate access (−0.54 kg/m2: −0.78, −0.30). Conclusion: Our results show that increasing access and availability to a diverse range of food outlets, particularly healthy food outlets, should be an important consideration for efforts to support good health. This research provides evidence that Australia needs to follow suit with other countries that have adopted policies giving local governments the power to encourage healthier food environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Reporting key dietary indicators from sales data can help us guide store decision makers in developing effective store policy to support healthier customer purchases. We aimed to develop a web-based reporting tool of key dietary indicators from sales data to support health-promoting policy and practice in stores in geographically remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Tool development included identifying key dietary indicators (informed by sales data from 31 stores), community consultation (19 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander store directors and two store managers) and a web-build. Tool evaluation involved feedback interviews with stakeholders (25 store managers and two nutritionists). Key dietary indicators aligned with Australian Dietary Guideline food groupings and recommendations. An online portal for accessing and customising reports was built. Stakeholder feedback indicated that the strengths of the reports were the visuals, ease of interpretation, providing information that was not currently available and potential to increase capacity to support healthy food retailing. Difficulties were defining healthiness classification with alignment to other nutrition guidelines used and ensuring reports reached relevant store decision makers. This tool may be valuable to support store decision makers in identifying and prioritising nutrition issues and optimising the health-enabling attributes of stores.

Nowadays, sustainability is the focus of consumers, companies, and researchers, driving changes in both company and consumer behavior. Through this research we wanted to find out how Generation Z adults’ position towards the sustainability of food retailers in the city of Iasi using qualitative research conducted through interviews. The analysis of the interviews revealed interesting aspects, a new definition of the concept and possible ideas for changes which could be adopted by food retailers to achieve a higher degree of sustainability. Among the components related to the sustainability of food retailers, our research showed that respondents consider that the most important are the selective waste collection and the use of green technologies, giving less importance to the employment of people with disabilities or contracting with local suppliers and the lowest priority being the level of employee wages. Some changes the interviewees proposed consist of installing solar panels and more efficient lighting systems, using biodegradable packaging for products and being more careful to the waste management system.

Abstract Introduction Co-creation of healthy food retail comprises the systematic collaboration between retailers, academics and other stakeholders to improve the healthiness of food retail environments. Research into the co-creation of healthy food retail is in its early stages. Knowledge of the roles and motivations of stakeholders in intervention design, implementation and evaluation can inform successful co-creation initiatives. This study presents academic experiences of stakeholder roles and motivations in the co-creation of healthy food retail environments. Methods Purposive sampling of academics with research experience in the co-creation of healthy food retail initiatives. Semi-structured interviews conducted between October and December 2021 gathered participants’ experiences of multi-stakeholder collaborative research. Thematic analysis identified enablers, barriers, motivations, lessons and considerations for future co-creation of healthy food retail. Results Nine interviewees provided diverse views and applications of co-creation research in food retail environments. Ten themes were grouped into three overarching areas: (i) identification of stakeholders required for changes to healthier food retail; (ii) motivations and interactions, which included the intrinsic desire to build healthier communities along with recognition of their work; and (iii) barriers and enablers included adequate resourcing, effective and trusting working relationships and open communications. Conclusion This study provides insights that could help future co-creation in healthy food retail environments. Trusting and respectful relationships and reciprocal acknowledgement between stakeholders are key practices in the co-creation process. These constructs should be considered in developing and testing a model that helps to systematically co-create healthy food retail initiatives that ensure all parties meet their needs while also delivering research outcomes.

Monitoring food retail stock‐outs or the unplanned unavailability of certain food items for purchase assists policymakers in responding to food supply chain disruptions. This study focuses on identifying food stock‐outs using store‐level scanner data on US grocery store sales during the COVID‐19 pandemic in 2020. The total median stock‐out rates of fixed‐weight items increased by approximately 130% after March 15, 2020. Categories such as meat and poultry products, some convenience and frozen foods, baby formula, and carbonated beverages had the highest stock‐out rates. The analysis also explores the relationship between stock‐out rates, sales increases, and food prices during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract During the COVID-19 pandemic, grocery shoppers face a moral dilemma: to go inside the store or to use online alternatives, such as curbside pickup or home delivery to limit physical interaction. The veil of ignorance, a hypothetical state of mind, is an experimental tool used to nudge people toward the social welfare option during a decision-making process. We empirically test the effect of the veil of ignorance on grocery shopper preferences by implementing an online choice experiment with 613 U.S. consumers. Subjects who are veiled by ignorance about the state of the COVID-19 pandemic are not willing to pay significantly more for curbside pickup or home delivery than (unveiled) subjects in the control group. We also find heterogeneous effects by vaccination status. Consistent with limited evidence in the prior literature, the veil of ignorance is seemingly unable to induce moral choice behavior in real-world scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: There is growing interest in expanding healthy eating interventions in the retail setting. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implementation of a successful 2-for-1 price incentive for fruits and vegetables (F&V), including frozen and canned, that took place in partnership with a large chain grocery retailer in Maine. Intervention Approach. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) pilot study was conducted in 2015–2016, followed by a larger RCT in 2016–2017, to assess whether a supermarket double-dollar F&V incentive increased purchases of these items. Evaluation Methods: A convergent, parallel mixed-methods design was used to examine barriers and facilitators to implementing the interventions, using six implementation outcomes: acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, feasibility, implementation fidelity, and perceived cost. Results: The intervention was deemed highly acceptable, appropriate, and feasible by shoppers, retailers, and researchers. The F&V discount had a high rate of initial adoption. There was a moderate degree of fidelity, which improved over time based on lessons learned from the pilot and applied to the subsequent RCT. Specific costs associated with implementation from the research perspective are reported. Implications for Practice, Policy, and Research. Partnerships between academic researchers and retailers can be an effective model for improving healthful purchases among shoppers. These findings are relevant for investigators, public health advocates, and retailers interested in implementing similar grocery retail-based interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We characterized three food retail models that coexist in Colombia: corporate, traditional, and alternative, and investigated the governance within each model in terms of regulation and transparency through a case study. We established the geographic density of the three models and found that in Colombia, the corporate model is widespread; the traditional model has low concentration, but a high presence; and the alternative model has a growing albeit low presence. Through our case study we found that these models have different behaviors in their core production, distribution activities, and forms of governance. Even though private regulation prevails in the corporate and traditional models, the traditional model contains specific characteristics of public regulation, while the alternative model is grounded on social regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This article provides a comprehensive exploration of the varied Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) actions in relation to supporting communities reported by the UK's leading food retailers. Findings are discussed against a backdrop of enduring inequalities, exacerbated by the on-going global Coronavirus pandemic, with actions considered for their potential contribution to community-based approaches to addressing local wellbeing and inequalities. Method: This article presents the structure and key characteristics of community-oriented CSR in food retailing in the UK. A thematic analysis of comprehensive documentary evidence from the 11 principle UK food retailers was conducted, drawing on asset-based frameworks of community-centred actions towards wellbeing. Findings: The findings suggest an increasing acknowledgement in food retail that local community is of key importance. Initiatives were categorised according to a typology, comprising national partnerships, local store-based funding and support actions, targeted programmes on healthy lifestyles or employability, and changes to store operations, in the favour of priority groups, prompted by the pandemic. Conclusion: The article combines an up to date overview of community-focused CSR agendas and support by food retailers at a time of significant economic and social challenge for the UK. It highlights the potential of the sector to contribute more strategically to reducing inequalities and supporting community wellbeing, alongside statutory and voluntary sector partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Adoption of health-enabling food retail interventions in food retail will require effective implementation strategies. To inform this, we applied an implementation framework to a novel real-world food retail intervention, the Healthy Stores 2020 strategy, to identify factors salient to intervention implementation from the perspective of the food retailer. Methods A convergent mixed-method design was used and data were interpreted using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). The study was conducted alongside a randomised controlled trial in partnership with the Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation (ALPA). Adherence data were collected for the 20 consenting Healthy Stores 2020 study stores (ten intervention /ten control) in 19 communities in remote Northern Australia using photographic material and an adherence checklist. Retailer implementation experience data were collected through interviews with the primary Store Manager for each of the ten intervention stores at baseline, mid- and end-strategy. Deductive thematic analysis of interview data was conducted and informed by the CFIR. Intervention adherence scores derived for each store assisted interview data interpretation. Results Healthy Stores 2020 strategy was, for the most part, adhered to. Analysis of the 30 interviews revealed that implementation climate of the ALPA organisation, its readiness for implementation including a strong sense of social purpose, and the networks and communication between the Store Managers and other parts of ALPA, were CFIR inner and outer domains most frequently referred to as positive to strategy implementation. Store Managers were a ‘make-or-break’ touchstone of implementation success. The co-designed intervention and strategy characteristics and its perceived cost–benefit, combined with the inner and outer setting factors, galvanised the individual characteristics of Store Managers (e.g., optimism, adaptability and retail competency) to champion implementation. Where there was less perceived cost–benefit, Store Managers seemed less enthusiastic for the strategy. Conclusions Factors critical to implementation (a strong sense of social purpose; structures and processes within and external to the food retail organisation and their alignment with intervention characteristics (low complexity, cost advantage); and Store Manager characteristics) can inform the design of implementation strategies for the adoption of this health-enabling food retail initiative in the remote setting. This research can help inform a shift in research focus to identify, develop and test implementation strategies for the wide adoption of health-enabling food retail initiatives into practice. Trial Registration. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN 12,618,001,588,280.

Increasing the efficiency of communications with customers maintains the economic development and growth in the services and food retail industry. One way to succeed in this objective is introducing digital technologies for interaction with clientele. The paper aims to assess the efficiency of the customer loyalty programmes in food retail that are based on digital technologies. Methodologically, the study relies on the system approach, the relationship marketing, and the organisational economics. The index method and comparative analysis are applied to examine the data on customer loyalty programmes of ten food retailers. Comparison of these data reveals the most prevalent tools for attracting customers and helps create a conceptual model of the CRM system that provides for a combination of these tools. Following these findings, the paper specifies the indicators for examining the efficiency of the customer loyalty programmes and develops recommendations on refining the operation of CRM systems by retailers. The research results may become a basis for creation, implementation, and assessment of loyalty programmes of retail chains, which are targeted at enhancing the quality of interaction with clientele.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) are highly prevalent among supermarket cashiers. These disorders are frequently related to the adoption of awkward postures and manual materials handling. This study aimed to analyze musculoskeletal loadings in supermarket cashiers, considering the handling of different products and different checkout conditions. To accomplish this, we employed an inertial motion capture system to measure full-body kinematics while simulating 19 cashier tasks. The study included five female cashiers from a supermarket in Northern Portugal, ranging in age from 19 to 61 years old. Using joint angles, material load, and muscle function as input parameters, we conducted the musculoskeletal loadings assessment using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) methods. Results showed that RULA scores were higher for the microtasks that involved product scanning. Regarding microstasks analyzed by REBA, the replacement of paper rolls for the receipt machine at the checkout counter yields the highest scores. Based on these findings, there is a compelling need to redesign supermarket checkout workstations to alleviate the physical demands placed on cashiers and to ensure organizational sustainability.

This paper aims to conduct a bibliometric mapping and systematic review of the food retail industry’s resilience strategy in the context of COVID-19. Specifically, we aim to identify relevant research gaps in the industry during the pre-, during, and post-pandemic periods and highlight the differences between B2B and B2C sectors. We analyzed articles in the Scopus database from 2019 to 2022 using the PRISMA method for article selection, resulting in a total of 69 articles. We employed a VOS viewer for bibliometric mapping. Our analysis revealed that most studies focused on the impact of COVID-19, with only a few examining the pre- and post-pandemic periods critically. In the B2C context, we identified two major topics: changes in purchasing and consumption behavior, and food waste and safety. In the B2B sector, the two most recurrent subjects were retailers’ strategies and supply chain management. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers by exploring industry trends and for scholars by highlighting future research agendas based on the identified topics.

Introduction: Co-creation of healthy food retail comprises the systematic collaboration between retailers, academics and other stakeholders to improve the healthiness of food retail environments. Research into the co-creation of healthy food retail is in its early stages. Knowledge of the roles and motivations of stakeholders in intervention design, implementation and evaluation can inform successful co-creation initiatives. This study presents academic experiences of stakeholder roles and motivations in the co-creation of healthy food retail environments. Methods: Purposive sampling of academics with research experience in the co-creation of healthy food retail initiatives. Semi-structured interviews conducted between October and December 2021 gathered participants' experiences of multi-stakeholder collaborative research. Thematic analysis identified enablers, barriers, motivations, lessons and considerations for future co-creation of healthy food retail. Results: Nine interviewees provided diverse views and applications of co-creation research in food retail environments. Ten themes were grouped into three overarching areas: (i) identification of stakeholders required for changes to healthier food retail; (ii) motivations and interactions, which included the intrinsic desire to build healthier communities along with recognition of their work; and (iii) barriers and enablers included adequate resourcing, effective and trusting working relationships and open communications. Conclusion: This study provides insights that could help future co-creation in healthy food retail environments. Trusting and respectful relationships and reciprocal acknowledgement between stakeholders are key practices in the co-creation process. These constructs should be considered in developing and testing a model that helps to systematically co-create healthy food retail initiatives that ensure all parties meet their needs while also delivering research outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the effectiveness of two types of impression management tactics implemented around negative attributes: egocentric (claiming the absence or low presence of a negative attribute in a focal organization) and alter-centric tactics (claiming the greater presence of a negative attribute in an organization's competitor). We claim that the effectiveness of each tactic depends on the risk of audiences' skepticism, which stems from the incongruence between the information conveyed in the tactic and audiences' default expectations about the presence of the attribute among members of a given market segment. Audiences expect a conspicuous presence of the attribute, we propose, the more stakeholders contest a market segment for that very attribute. Thus, we advance that egocentric (alter-centric) tactics are less likely to be effective for contested (uncontested) attributes because the information conveyed in such tactics clashes with audiences' default expectations, triggering skepticism. We find support for our predictions looking at the impact of nutrient content claims on product sales in the U.S. food retail industry between 2006 and 2015. Funding: H. Pinto de Sousa acknowledges the support, in the form of a research scholarship, granted by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia), under the European Social Fund and the Human Capital Operational Program (Programa Operacional Capital Humano) funding program [Grant SFRH/BD/128536/2017]. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2022.1612. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: E-commerce has emerged as a good response to the pandemic of COVID-19. However, the costs of providing a service, which includes a driver and a vehicle, in a regular vehicle that can transport goods that need positive cold (0° to 5°C) are very high.