Obesity epidemic: the role of retailing sector in promoting fruit and vegetable consumption

Fioriti, Linda and Marchini, Andrea and Diotallevi, Francesco and Pampanini, Rossella (2012): Obesity epidemic: the role of retailing sector in promoting fruit and vegetable consumption. Published in: Proceedings of 6th International European Forum (Igls-Forum) on System Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks (6 May 2012)

Abstract

After a deep review of the main economic studies and applications about the emerging problem of obesity, this paper focuses on a particular aspect of the issue: the improvement of fruit and vegetable purchasing in retailing sector. First of all it has been analyzed the actual presence of strategies aimed at improving fruit and vegetable consumption in the main retailing companies operating in Italy. Then the study investigates the role of price in consumers’ purchasing choices. High price elasticity of F&V products could suggest the implementation of lower prices to consumers instead of implementing other policy interventions. The methodology is based on qualitative and quantitative research methods. In particular, in depth interviews to retailing sector experts have been run to gather useful insights about retailers’ management of F&V department. Then quantitative analysis on IRI data about F&V consumption in Italy has been conducted to evaluate the influence of price on consumers’ attitude towards F&V. The results obtained provide meaningful insights to formulate marketing strategies and policy interventions.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Obesity, fruit and vegetables, consumer behaviour, food promotion
• Subjects: Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q1 - Agriculture > Q13 - Agricultural Markets and Marketing ; Cooperatives ; Agribusiness; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q1 - Agriculture > Q18 - Agricultural Policy ; Food Policy

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