Purpose -This paper seeks to investigate the importance of packaging design for a UK premium own-label food brand, by developing an understanding of how consumers evaluate own-label packaging, providing an insight into their shopping behaviour regarding premium own-label desserts and identifying the factors that influence their purchase decisions. Implicit in this is a need to establish how the packaging designs of premium own-label products influence the purchase decisions of consumers. Design/methodology/approach -The paper reports on the findings of participant observational exercises employed at two Tesco stores. Findings -Overall, analysis of findings would clearly indicate that there is a strong association regarding the influence of packaging on the purchase decision, with over 73 per cent of interviewed consumers stating that they rely on packaging to aid their decision-making process at the point of purchase.Research limitations/implications -This study reports on the preliminary findings of the first stage of a research project. Future studies could extend this research by considering the importance of packaging for products with lower experiential benefits than those offered by premium desserts or, additionally, by employing a comparative study of own-label brands. Practical implications -As own-label brands are exclusive to, and owned by, the retailer they have potentially the opportunity to develop packaging designs that are even more attuned to their customer base than those offered by the equivalent range of branded products. Originality/value -This paper presents empirical research investigating the importance of packaging design for own-label food brands.

As evidence mounts on the importance of small businesses and the opportunities presented by website adoption globally, it becomes important to understand the key issues that determine website adoption. However, the extant literature relating to small business website adoption is fragmented and fails to provide an understanding of what determines adoption.Therefore the key contribution of this article to current knowledge is the development of a conceptualization, supported by the literature, that will provide an interpretation of what determines small business website adoption. Critically, this is the first article to incorporate the important role that the small business marketing context plays within Internet technology adoption. The article develops nine hypotheses, which relate to the critical interactions and integration, within and between four determinant groupings underpinning the conceptualization.The nine hypotheses will guide and direct future research towards generating an empirically based understanding of what determines small business website adoption.

The literature reveals a need for more integrated research contributions to small business Internet adoption and theoretical development. There is also a need for these developments to relate more closely to effective, or optimized, use of web applications in business processes and growth. To address this, and building upon recent integrated theoretical developments, the aim of this study is to explore the determinants and outcomes relating to small business Website optimization. Five determining variables isolated from recent theoretical developments relate to small business Website adoption outcomes. Utilizing an optimization rating instrument with these variables a methodological approach produced four key findings. From these findings we develop an optimization model and focus important contributions as propositions. These propositions provide a new understanding of the enablers and influencers of small business Website optimization and a basis for research to develop further insights in this area.

This article proposes that a complementary relationship exists between the formalised nature of digital loyalty card data, and the informal nature of small business market orientation. A longitudinal, case-based research approach analysed this relationship in small firms given access to Tesco Clubcard data. The findings reveal a new-found structure and precision in small firm marketing planning from data exposure; this complemented rather than conflicted with an intuitive feel for markets. In addition, small firm owners were encouraged to include employees in marketing planning.

Reviews the main food choice trends driving consumer demand for functional foods and the constraints limiting market development. Considers previous research activity in the functional food arena and subsequently identifies paramount research priorities that may facilitate the development of products that will help satisfy consumer demands for convenience, health and sensory pleasure.