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Special Issue "Consumers’ Preferences and Food Products"

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Food".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2022.

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Manuela Vega-Zamora
E-Mail Website

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Guest Editor

University of Jaén. Campus Las Lagunillas s/n, 23071, Jaén (Spain)
Interests: marketing; agri-food marketing; olive oils; consumer behavior; organic olive oil; organic foods; green marketing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

At this time, competition in the markets is highly intense, and the food market is no exception. In addition, consumers are increasingly demanding new functions in food, apart from the function of sustenance. In this context and considering that consumers play a very important role in the success of products, several key issues present themselves: knowing consumers’ behavior; knowing their interests in food; and understanding their attitudes, perceptions, motivations, and preferences towards food. This increased consumer knowledge will enable strategies to be designed and decisions to be made more effectively, not only to respond to consumer demands from a business point of view, but also, from a public policy point of view, to support new products and guide consumers towards food choices that lead to more sustainable consumption patterns.

Therefore, this Special Issue is focused mainly on collecting research papers on consumer behavior towards food in general. By its nature, this also involves papers about market research. More specifically, but not exclusively, the main topics of this Special Issue are as follows: consumer behavior towards food products; motivational studies of food consumers; food attitudes; market research; food choice studies of environment, health, biodiversity, organic, or any other attributes; differences (geographical, cultural, or individual) in perception and preferences towards food products; and acceptance of new food products.

Prof. Dr. Manuela Vega-Zamora
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All papers will be peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Consumer behavior
Marketing
Motivations and barriers to consumption
Food attitudes
Market research
Food choice
Perceptions and preferences
Acceptance of food products

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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Open AccessArticle

How Successful Is Origin Labeling in a Developing Country Context? Moroccan Consumers’ Preferences toward Local Products

Fatima Lambarraa-Lehnhardt

Rico Ihle

and

Hajar Elyoubi

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8433; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158433 - 28 Jul 2021

Viewed by 370

Abstract

The Green Moroccan Plan (GMP) is a national long-term strategy launched by the Moroccan government to support the agricultural sector as the main driver of social and economic development. The GMP involves a labeling strategy based on geographical indications, aimed at protecting and promoting the marketing of locally produced food specialties and linking their specific qualities and reputations to their domestic production region. We evaluated the success of this policy by comparing consumers’ attitudes and preferences toward a local product having a geographical indication label to one without. We conducted a survey of 500 consumers in main Moroccan cities. The potential consumer set for the local product was found to be segmented, indicating the potential for a domestic niche of environmentally aware consumers preferring organically and sustainably produced food. We applied the analytical hierarchy process to prioritize the attributes of the commodities of interest, which underscores the importance of the origin when choosing a local product without origin labeling; for the labeled product, intrinsic quality attributes are considered to be more important. These findings demonstrate the limited promotion of the established origin labeling in the domestic market. Hence, we recommend that the Moroccan government reinforce the labeling scheme with an organic label to increase the market potential of the environmentally aware consumers by ensuring sustainable production of local products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Consumers’ Preferences and Food Products)

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Open AccessArticle

Household Food Consumption and Wastage during the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak: A Comparison between Peru and Brazil

Mirza Marvel Cequea

Jessika Milagros Vásquez Neyra

Valentina Gomes Haensel Schmitt

and

Marcos Ferasso

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 7583; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147583 - 07 Jul 2021

Viewed by 778

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has represented a major global challenge. In Latin America, both Brazil and Peru reported the highest levels of impact in terms of proportional infection and death rates. Within this context, this study sought to compare food consumption and wastage patterns in Peruvian and Brazilian households. For these purposes, the authors conducted a quantitative research study based on a self-reported online survey submitted during the pandemic outbreak. Results revealed that the intention of reducing food wastage and implementing leftover management routines are related to the economic value of wasted food. In addition, in both countries, shopping lists are used as planning elements, and food purchases are influenced by on-sale products. Leftover management is also similar in both countries, and the expiration date on the label is the most commonly used criterion for consuming or discarding food items. Nevertheless, within the framework of the health and economic crisis generated, opportunities for change toward the adoption of smarter and more sustainable purchasing behaviors are emerging for both households and companies, in addition to giving equal importance to environmental, social, and economic benefits. This research study provided insights into food consumption and food wastage behaviors in times of crisis, such as a pandemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Consumers’ Preferences and Food Products)

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Open AccessArticle

Towards Sustainable Private Labels in an Autonomous Community during COVID-19—Analysis of Consumer Behavior and Perception on the Example of Tenerife

Maksymilian Czeczotko

Hanna Górska-Warsewicz

Wacław Laskowski

and

Barbara Rostecka

Sustainability 2021, 13(13), 7467; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137467 - 04 Jul 2021

Viewed by 595

Abstract

Our study aimed to analyze consumer behavior and perception towards private labels (PLs) in Tenerife as an autonomous community during COVID-19, with special attention given to sustainability aspects. The research was conducted on a sample of 500 adults purchasing PLs using quota selection and the CAWI method. We formulated four research questions related to factors of PL choice, the relationship between frequency of PL purchases, consumers’ age and income, perceived changes in PLs, and evaluation of PL products including sustainability. The latter research question referred to such product characteristics as local and environmentally friendly production, organic production, and production according to traditional technologies using only natural ingredients. For a detailed analysis of consumer behavior, we used Pearson’s chi-square test, the rho-Spearman correlation coefficient, and cluster analysis. The most important factors for purchasing PL products were lower prices compared to leading brands, attachment to a given chain, and the feeling of safety and trust in PL products. The frequency of purchase of PL food products, except for alcohol, significantly negatively correlates with age, which means that the purchase of PLs from the analyzed product categories decreases with age. The increased availability and improved image and quality of PLs were identified as the most important changes in PLs. PL food products were rated by consumers as fresh, minimally processed and with quality certificates. Environmentally friendly production methods, nutritional value, and origin from an area close to home were also indicated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Consumers’ Preferences and Food Products)

Open AccessArticle

How Do Brazilian Consumers Relate to Chocolate Brands? Validity and Reliability Evidence of the Chocolate Brands Relationship Scale

and

Sustainability 2021, 13(10), 5635; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13105635 - 18 May 2021

Viewed by 473

Abstract

Although the chocolate market has become increasingly larger and more competitive, no diagnostic measures were found to evaluate relationship marketing from customer perspectives in this very attractive market in the B2C context. Thus, the main purpose of this paper is to obtain validity evidence for the Chocolate Brands Relationship Scale (CBR Scale), a scientific instrument that enables the identification and measurement of the prime aspects perceived by chocolate brands’ customers as relevant in their relationship with such brands. Additionally, we tested the influence of the relationship, evaluated from the validated CBR Scale, with the chocolate consumers’ satisfaction. We conducted a survey with 523 Brazilian consumers, and data were analyzed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis. The CBR Scale is composed of 21 items divided into three factors: Brand Trust, Shopping Experience and Perceived Quality. As theoretical implications, we produce a valid and reliable operational measure, offering a useful starting point from which further theoretical and empirical research of customer relationship management, branding strategies, brand loyalty, and brand experience in the chocolate market can be built. Managerially, the CBR Scale is a valid instrument for practitioners and managers in the chocolate sector to access customers, establishing and developing long-term relationships with them. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Consumers’ Preferences and Food Products)

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Open AccessArticle

Intentions to Consume Sustainably Produced Fish: The Moderator Effects of Involvement and Environmental Awareness

Kåre Skallerud

John Armbrecht

and

Ho Huy Tuu

Sustainability 2021, 13(2), 946; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020946 - 18 Jan 2021

Viewed by 680

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to apply the conceptual framework of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to explain the consumption of sustainable produced fish in Sweden. We seek to understand the moderating role of food product involvement and environmental awareness as extensions of traditional constructs such as attitudes, social norms, and perceived behavioral control. The data were derived from a representative sample of 1974 Swedish consumers. Structural equation modeling was applied to test the relationships between constructs and evaluate the reliability and the validity of the constructs. Attitudes had a significantly positive effect on intention to consume fish in general and sustainably produced fish in particular. Social norms had significantly positive effect on intention to consume fish in general, but no effect on intention to consume sustainably produced fish. Behavioral control had no effect on behavioral intention. Interestingly, involvement negatively moderated the effect of attitudes on both intention to consume more fish and to consume more sustainably produced fish. Environmental awareness also negatively moderated the effect of attitudes on intention to consume more sustainably produced fish. It seems that attempts to create food product involvement and environmental awareness among consumers may have the opposite effect—a boomerang effect—than what conventional wisdom and much of the research on fish consumption indicates. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Consumers’ Preferences and Food Products)

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Open AccessArticle

Promoting the Absence of Pesticides through Product Labels: The Role of Showing a Specific Description of the Harmful Effects, Environmental Attitude, and Familiarity with Pesticides

Pablo Farías

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 8912; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12218912 - 27 Oct 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 690

Abstract

Few studies have analyzed the mechanisms of how environmental labels influence consumers’ perception and consequent behavior. The present study puts forth specific questions of how pesticide-free products should be promoted through product labels. Data were collected via controlled experimentation. The results demonstrate that pesticide-free labels with specific information on the harmful effects of pesticides have a more positive impact on perceived value and purchase intention relative to pesticide-free labels with a general description of the harmful effects of pesticides. The results also show that the positive effects of promoting the absence of pesticides through product labels on perceived quality, perceived value, and purchase intention are stronger among individuals who are high in environmental attitude and familiarity with pesticides. Policymakers, producers, and retailers could use these findings for better decision-making. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Consumers’ Preferences and Food Products)

Review

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Open AccessReview

Chocolate Consumption and Purchasing Behaviour Review: Research Issues and Insights for Future Research

Margherita Del Prete

and

Antonella Samoggia

Sustainability 2020, 12(14), 5586; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12145586 - 11 Jul 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2790

Abstract

Chocolate is consumed all over the world. Since its origin, it has undergone many transformations to meet changing market demand. A better understanding of consumer behaviour is a key objective of any business, and so it is for chocolate businesses. In order to fulfil this aim, the current study presents a systematic literature review of consumers’ consumption and purchasing behaviour towards cocoa and chocolate. Two databases have been used to collect the literature: Scopus and Web of Science. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram was used to identify the articles through the process of data screening and extractions. A total of sixty-four scientific articles have been selected. Research topics, methodological approach and data collection method were identified for each article selected. Then, the identified topics were grouped into four categories in order to obtain a model of major determinants in chocolate consumption: personal preferences, product attributes, socio-demographic factors and economic attributes. Results show that there is a strong focus on Fair Trade in chocolate. Moreover, the current literature review supports the fact that the price and promotion are under-investigated issues. This research represents a valuable tool, especially from a marketing point of view, by creating new channels and new sales opportunities for chocolate products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Consumers’ Preferences and Food Products)

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