Purpose The purpose of this paper is to recognise the areas of implementation of the principles of sustainable development (SD) in the model of retail chains activity. In the paper, the assumption was made that nowadays it is necessary to adopt the rules following SD while making strategic decisions by retail chains. Design/methodology/approach The study uses secondary data sources, reports, academic literature and the case study research method. A case study research is a multi-method paradigm based on full range of a scientist’s tool-kit: reviewing literature studies, examining secondary documents and comparing the websites of investigated retail chains. Findings According to that business model, the authors were recognising selected components of this model, that is to say: recourses and competences of retail chains and value proposition for their customers. The greatest chances of development will be enjoyed by those retail chains that will be able to provide real value to customers. Maintaining a competitive advantage will require constant improvements in the quality of service and innovative business models connected with sustainable elements. Research limitations/implications It seems necessary to develop research tools that allow for identification of the level of use of the SD concept in retail chain’s business models in the future. Practical implications The paper is of interest to practitioners and students of retail management. Social implications The concept of the SD model included in the retailer business models serves to build value for the customer through the care of his quality of life. The vast majority of retailers believe that it is the responsibility of the business sector to respond to social and environmental challenges. Originality/value The paper intends to fill the gap in the literature concerning the influence of SD concept on changes in the business models of retail chains. The SD activities can lead to the development of specific capabilities based on intangible recourses that are sources of competitive advantage (SD). That is the main reason of undertaking this subject.
The purpose of the paper is to recognize consumers’ opinions on the environmental aspects of meat consumption and the intention to limit meat consumption due to the negative influence of meat production on the environment. The objective of the paper was achieved through literature studies, information acquired from industry magazines and direct research. We adopted the research question whether consumers are willing to limit meat consumption due to the awareness of the consequences of meat consumption for the environment. The research was carried out in December 2019 using the online survey technique. The participants of the study were 457 representatives of young consumers — representatives of the generation which is most convinced of the harmful impact of mankind on the natural environment. The results of the research and analysis indicate that a significant proportion of young consumers have already reduced their meat consumption and a relatively significant (approx. 40%) intend to reduce meat consumption for environmental reasons, with the percentage of people who perceive the negative impact of industrial meat production on the environment is even higher and equals about 50%. Slightly less, approx. 35%, believe that limiting meat consumption can improve the state of the natural environment.
The purpose of the article is to identify the possibility of building relationships with consumers in the area of shaping the food offer in retail trade. The subject of the article also concerns consumer needs and changes in their behaviors essential to building these relationships. A critical analysis of the literature of the subject and case study were used to implement the purpose of the article. A diagnosis of solutions implemented by retailers show that the scope and form of activities conducted in the area of building relationships with customers depends on the retail format. Relationships are mainly built on the basis of physical proximity, but also by referring to key consumer needs and trends in their behaviors (mainly “health”, “comfort”, “convenience”, and “new family model”). Retailers in the creation of the food offer refer to the needs of consumers as being related not only to selecting and buying food, but also to their future purchases.
The study employed the online survey technique. In order to determine the types of consumers, 18 diagnostic variables characterizing consumer behavior in the context of sustainable development, including sustainable consumption, were used. The type extraction was carried out in two steps. The first was a cluster analysis conducted with the hierarchical Ward method with the square of the Euclidean distance, and the second was a non-hierarchical cluster analysis adopting the k-means method. Findings: As a result of the conducted analyses, four relatively homogeneous types of consumers were distinguished based on their behaviors that fit into the concept of sustainable development, including consumption. The types are: Apologists, Hedonists, Active when necessary, Moderately involved. Practical Implications: The types of consumers identified and described in the paper may constitute the basis for market segmentation for firms offering consumer goods and services. In addition, the presented results of research conducted in Poland may constitute the basis for carrying out similar research in other European countries. Originality/value: In the case of Poland, there is a lack of knowledge about the types of consumers as regards their behavior in the context of sustainable development, including sustainable consumption, it can therefore be assumed that the research results contribute to the theory of consumer behavior.
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