A RETAIL EVALUATION OF PROMOTIONAL TACTICS IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY

In an effort to ease communication between packaged goods manufacturers and retailers, this study investigates food retailers'Â’ preferences concerning the various promotional programs used in their stores. Through the use of a mail survey, retail executives from supermarket companies shared their perceptions of 22 specific promotional programs regarding each program'Â’s use, effectiveness, and attractiveness for future support. According to retailers, clear and consistent promotional performers include targeted direct mail, shipper displays, in-store coupons, in-ad coupons, and in-store demos and sampling. It is noted, however, that the use and perceived effectiveness of these programs may not always seem consistent. For example, retailers felt that promotions tied to local charities are relatively ineffective for increasing product movement or overall store sales, and yet this promotional tool is used by 92 percent of surveyed retailers. On the other hand, frequent shopper programs received favorable marks regarding program effectiveness, and yet they are not commonly used by retailers in this survey. Ultimately, the value that a retailer places on any given promotion is a function of that promotion'Â’s ability to meet stated retail objectives, which may extend beyond any hard sales statistics.Marketing,

ITEM PRICING IN NEW YORK STATE

New York State is one of only seven states that has an item pricing law. In anticipation of the law expiring on June 30, 1991, a study was undertaken to determine the impact the law has had on the food industry and consumers alike. The study focused on: 1) the accuracy of supermarket pricing systems, 2) the public's perception of the importance of item pricing and, 3) the cost of item pricing to supermarkets.Agribusiness,

THE EMERGING FOOD STORE DELICATESSEN: SOME PRELIMINARY ECONOMICS

Agribusiness,

The Promotion World According to Retail

E.B. 99-01In an effort to ease communication between packaged goods manufacturers and retailers, this report investigates the preferences retailers have concerning the various promotional programs used in their stores. Through the use of a mail survey, retail executives from supermarket, drug, and mass merchandise companies shared their perceptions of 22 specific promotional programs regarding their use, effectiveness, and attractiveness for future support

A history of activities from 1963 – Retirement, 1998

Gene German describes his Cornell journey from the Food Industry Management Program and the Home Study Program in Food Industry Management to his experiences teaching popular courses, advising students and leading the Food Executive Program. He also describes his interest in athletics and his work with the food industry, with alums, and his sabbatical leaves

What's In Store for Home Shopping?

E.B. 96-05Home shopping is currently being tested and tried by many supermarket companies. For many, home shopping could well be one method of gaining incremental customers and sales. The major purpose of this study was to determine the current status of home shopping services in the U.S. supermarket industry and to document consumers' reactions to the home shopping services provided. In order to achieve these objectives, an integrated approach was employed consisting of a four part methodology: 1) a comprehensive review of research, trade literature, and other secondary information, 2) a mail survey to selected supermarket companies, 3) field visits and interviews with supermarket companies, and 4) consumer focus groups comprised of past, current and potential home shoppers

An Analysis of Consumer Trends and Employee Training in the United States Supermarket Delicatessen industry

A.E. Res. 90-1

Supermarket Development in China

E.B. 96-20China's 1.2 billion population is an enormous attraction to many retailers and manufacturers of consumer products that have begun to vie for this huge potential market. Not only does the number of consumers continue to grow, but China's economy has experienced an impressive growth since its reform in 1978. China's GNP grew 10 percent or more during the early 1990's. This figure is especially impressive when compared with the rest of the world which was facing an economic downward trend. Also, percapita income rose at an average rate of 10.8 percent since 1990. Chinese consumers can now afford a better quality of life with an increase in consumption.of both necessary and luxury products. However, the old system of centrally controlled distribution and retailing can no longer cope with the increasing consumption rates under the new market economy. This increasing demand has provided the proper environment as well as strong incentives for developing new supermarkets as part of China's retail industry. Since the late 80's and early 90's, in order to stay competitive locally as well as globally, many Western and Asian retailers have actively explored opportunities in China hoping to capture as much market share as possible in this attractive and dynamic market. China has been undergoing many transitions including its economic system, social structure, consumption habits, etc. It is this dynamic nature of China that makes national growth rates or income numbers insufficient in understanding the retail market as a whole. Therefore, this paper will attempt to provide the reader with an understanding of the issues regarding China's population, economic growth and development, purchasing power, development of the new wealthy, and new economic zones as a background for retail development. Next, the paper will address: ean overview of the economy ewhat defines a supermarket in China ethe stages of development in the supermarket industry edevelopment in three key regions of China egovernment involvement esummary of operational performance from store surveys eissues facing supermarket development in China eanalysis of data on four major cities from retail census Finally, the paper will provide concluding remarks on the prospects and recommendations for future supermarket development in China

Supercenters: The Emerging Force in Food Retailing

A.E. Ext. 93-15The distinctions between various types of retail firms, such as supermarkets, mass merchants, and discount drug stores are disappearing as part of the continuing evolution of retailing. With the overall US population growing slowly and the near saturation of good retailing locations in most market areas, retailers have increasingly sought to grow sales and profits by expanding their appeal to include a broader spectrum of consumer products. As various retailers expand their product offerings into the traditional domains of other retailers, competition for consumer spending reaches new heights while the distinctions between retail alternatives are greatly reduced. During the 1980's, supermarkets, seeking higher profit margins, aggressively expanded their product offerings to include general merchandise and other non-grocery products. With the dawn of the 1990's, traditional general merchandise retailers, seeking higher customer traffic, have aggressively added grocery items to their product offerings. The grocery retailing universe has expanded to include supercenters, mass merchants, wholesale membership clubs, drug stores, limited assortment stores and convenience stores as well as traditional supennarkets and grocery stores. At least initially, consumers appear to benefit as this frantic race results in lower prices and a myriad of shopping choices. However, in the longer run, intensified competition for sites and customers, results in some retailers gaining while others are forced to sell out due to unprofitable operations. As the strong become stronger and the weak weaker, mergers, acquisitions and consolidations result in fewer but larger competitors. The introduction of the supercenter concept presents a new competitive challenge to traditional supermarket operators. Drug stores of all types have also expanded merchandise lines so that these retailers now compete directly with both supermarkets and mass merchandisers. Each type of retail fonnat has certain competitive strengths that need to be understood and addressed in the strategic planning of all firms in this increasingly competitive retail sector. The states of New York and New Jersey have recently become focal points for expansion by some of these alternative grocery retailing formats and will soon see the physical presence of all these retail formats in a number of marketing areas. Understanding the dynamics and strategies of these alternate retail formats will be critical to establishing and maintaining a clear competitive advantage