Search

The consumption of tropical fruits has been increasing throughout the world, especially in non-producing countries. Among the fruits in this category, bananas (Musa spp.) have consistently demonstrated a growing trend in both purchases and consumption throughout the world, and also in Italy. The following question therefore arises: is there a correspondence between the quality characteristics of bananas on the market and the consumers' preferences? The objectives of this study were twofold: 1) to qualitatively and sensorially characterize bananas at three different stages of commercial ripening (Banana quality assessment); and 2) to explore the consumption habits, perceptions, and preferences of Italian consumers regarding tropical fruits, focusing in particular on fruit quality, health, and sustainability (Consumers' perception of tropical fruits). The results indicated that ripe bananas were preferred by the sensory panel and maintained high-quality attributes even after five days of storage at room temperature. Moreover, the importance of the sustainability of tropical fruits and a preference for ripeness of bananas during the decision-making stage were found to be influenced by individual factors. Different levels of awareness and purchasing styles were identified. However, the connection between the findings of the sensory analysis and the declared preferences revealed several insights that can be used to improve managing the supply and assortment of bananas for distribution to satisfy the consumers’ preferences, improve communication strategies, encourage waste reduction, and enhance supply chain sustainability.

This study analysed the main aspects of the communication of local beekeepers on their websites, to identify the most popular elements and to check whether companies communicate differently. A Web Content Analysis of all textual material on Piedmontese beekeeping websites was carried out, taking into consideration all variables such as domain authority, monthly organic traffic, backlinks and the presence (or absence) of the company on social media. The main findings highlighted a low differentiation between communication strategies related to honey organoleptic and sensorial characteristics. Claims concerning the Gastronomic pairings, Quality and certification, Links to territory and Organic honey categories were the most widespread current on beekeeping websites, while there was slight information related to health aspects and ethical/social sustainability. This research has identified a trend in the communication strategies of beekeeping companies that deviates from classic agribusiness strategies in terms of innovation, value creation and product and brand differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meat consumers around the world are increasingly paying attention to product quality and safety, and are starting to reduce their meat consumption, especially with regard to red meat. This trend is prevalent in households with children who prefer health-certified meat products. Our study compares meat consumption habits in households with and without children or adolescences (0–18 years). A structured questionnaire was distributed to 401 retail purchasers at 12 different points of sales of meat in the Piedmont region in northwest Italy. Socio-demographic variables and quantitative-qualitative meat consumption habits of retail purchasers were investigated. One part of the questionnaire analyzed the relative importance of 12 meat choice purchasing attributes by employing the Best-Worst scaling methodology, a type of choice experiment. Our research found that households without children (subset B) have higher weekly meat consumption habits than those with children (subset A). Alternatively, the households with children (subset A) have a diet characterized by a greater variety of protein sources, such as legumes and fish. Both of the considered subsets preferred trusted butchers for meat buying, with supermarkets as a second choice. However, only consumers of subset A bought meat from farm butchers. Our team performed a consumer analysis to identify meat consumption patterns in the two considered subsets. Simultaneously, a Best-Worst analysis evidenced several choice attributes with different relevance for the two investigated samples segmentation in three clusters of purchase.

With the growth of the Internet and the technology, the relationship between companies and consumers evolves by providing more and more the use of new strategies and forms of communication. Companies are increasing the use of the Internet so that it is possible to give the highest number of information in the faster way possible. This work wants to focus on the attention paid by wineries to the network by checking if there are some important differences between differing Italian production areas.

The evolution of the society and of its habits, the advent of the technology and of new forms of communication and social networks is gradually changing the way that communication happens between the consumer and the company as more importance has been given to the network and to the many facets that it can offer. Social networks now represent an important resource for an easy and immediate connection with a large number of consumers easy. Another important feature is the ability to get a direct contact with a target characterized by an interest in the product, so that fewer resources are dispersed. Thanks to this work, it was possible to check the on-line presence of a large number of companies of Langa and Roero areas, and to evaluate the usage of such channels and the perceived importance about the contacts coming from the network. Moreover, it was possible to realize a first comparison with other areas like those of Cuneo.

The continuous consumption of resources and the progressive climatic changes have contributed to develop a new range of products with a “greener” vocation. After the shift to organic and biodynamic production, companies have started to promote products' sustainability. The wine sector has undergone a transformation connected with the emergence of several projects related to the concept of sustainability. But what the consumer knows and thinks of all this? In this regard, it was carried out a study about the perception of the consumer on issues related to sustainability. The goals are multiple: to define the concept of sustainability perceived by consumers, to evaluate the spread of eco-friendly products, to measure the interest and willingness in spending on these products and finally to assess the knowledge of the main brands that identify some sustainable projects. Thanks to this first part that fits into a larger study still in progress, it was possible to obtain an initial assessment of the motivations that influence the purchase of wine, learn more about the consumer on these issues and assess the prevalence of brands associated with each of these major projects on the Italian scene.

Craft beer is an authentic product characterised by unique sensory features that distinguish it from industrially produced beers. The typical consumer also closely associates craft beers with the concept of traditional products, also in terms of consumption habits and the manner in which they are packaged. In this research, 482 beer consumers were interviewed face-to-face using a paper questionnaire during the Oktoberfest (Piedmont-Northwest Italy), a traditional beer festival that draws thousands of craft beer fans. Two consumer samples were defined on the basis of individual statements regarding their preferred method of beer packaging: The "traditional" consumer, loyal to the conventional beer packaging material (glass bottle) and the "innovative" consumer more inclined to packaging innovation (the use of aluminium cans). The preference scores towards beer attributes of the two identified samples were assessed using a 5-points Likert scale. In addition, the individual socio-demographic characteristics, together with craft beer consumption habits were recorded during the data collection phase. Significant differences between the two consumer samples were found using a non-parametric test; the Mann-Whitney Wilcoxon. In particular, traditional and innovative consumer groups expressed different preference levels towards beer clarity, colour, bitterness and body. For both samples, taste intensity resulted as the top attribute for beer evaluation, highlighting that, even when canned, the consumer is able to evaluate and appreciate the aromatic and quality characteristics of the product. Therefore, although glass remains the preferred packaging material for craft beer consumers, given the increasing acceptance of canned packaging by the traditional consumer, brewers could conceivably focus on canned product lines in order to exploit the inherent logistical and marketing advantages (i.e. graphical communications). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fresh-cut salads are ready-to-eat foodstuffs with a growing market share and increasingly popular with consumers. However, a significant part of public opinion considers that bagged salad production processes have an effect on sustainability. In parallel, fresh-cut salads producers implement high resources and innovation strategies to improve the production process and product sustainability, highlighting an increasing awareness of their responsibility. The objective of this study was to investigate whether a correspondence exists between consumer preferences and the fresh-cut salad sustainability attributes (environmental, economic and social), indicated by producers (on their packaging and/or company website). Consumer preference analysis of 12 attributes of fresh-cut salads was made using the Best-Worst scaling methodology. Among the selected attributes, 9 were related to sustainability issues and 3 to the intrinsic product characteristics. A paper questionnaire was developed and submitted directly to consumers (n = 216), at different points of sale of several large retail chains in the Turin metropolitan area (Northwest Italy). The analysis of the results highlights that no direct correspondence can be found between the companies' communications regarding sustainability and the real interest of consumers of fresh-cut salads towards these attributes. Moreover, in contrast to the growing 'green' attitude among consumers, the lack of consumer interest in the attributes of environmental sustainability underlines the need to increase consumer awareness of the issue. Thus, this research could contribute to the development of more targeted and accessible communication strategies towards consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to compare the perception and attitudes of animal welfare meat values between consumers belonging to two different European contexts. A questionnaire was employed to investigate animal-friendly meat attributes and communication strategies, as well as the recognition of this product by consumers on the market. A total of 321 individuals were involved in a cross-national online questionnaire conducted in seven northern European countries (Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Finland and Ireland). Results were compared to those previously obtained by the Italian consumer sample investigation. This study demonstrated that the geographical context is an important discriminatory factor that influences the way in which the consumer sets his or her decision-making process, especially for meat. Difference in perception of animal welfare emerged when comparing consumers from the diverse geographical areas. Animal-friendly meat for the North European consumer is a better product of greater ethical value, which should not become a means of enrichment for the producer, but rather a product that derives from a guaranteed condition. These latter results were partially in contrast with those obtained from analysing Italian sample opinions. In addition, differences in terms of meat consumption frequency were highlighted: consumers in northern Europe consume more meat than those in southern Europe, but choose a local, organic product and also buy directly from the farm. However, both consumers' samples reveal that labels are the preferred method to recognise and obtain information about animal-friendly meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The "organic" attribute for food products has become an important driver for consumer decision-making in meeting requirements for safety, sustainability and quality. Our study investigated Italian consumer preference in different milk attributes and determined the importance of the organic attribute to better define the milk consumer profile. An intercepted survey was made in Piedmont (northwest Italy) during which 328 milk consumers were interviewed by means of a paper questionnaire. The factors determining consumer choice during milk purchase were examined through the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The five-factor solutions for milk consumption accounted for 58% of the variance in the original data. A clusters analysis facilitated the definition of three milk consumer clusters (organic sensitive; price sensitive; local origin and quality sensitive). From our results emerged the importance of the organic milk attribute for a specific consumer profile defined as young with a high level of education and high average income. Additionally, these individuals were health conscious, brand sensitive, paid no attention to the local product origin, and evaluated organic certification as a discriminatory factor during the milk purchasing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]