The introduction in 1990 of the Minimum Pricing Policy without allowing generic substitution had a relatively small impact on the selection of medicines within the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. However the effect of generic substitution at the pharmacist level, which was introduced in December 1994, resulted in a marked increase in the percentage of eligible PBS items dispensed at benchmark. Case studies showed a larger premium resulted in a greater shift of patients from drugs with a brand premium to the benchmark alternative.

The main purpose of this study was to determine consumer preferences as influenced by type of packaging, size of container, and price when purchasing ornamental plants. From February to May 1991 over 1000 questionnaires were completed through personal on site interviews conducted at Flower/Garden shows and Garden Centers. Forty one percent of participants preferred to purchase their trees as balled in burlap form and 47% chose to buy their shrubs in containers. Shoppers purchased 60% of their nursery plants from Garden Centers followed by 22% at discount outlets such as K-mart. The most important factors in purchasing nursery stock were the price and quality of the plants followed by its size. Packing was an important factor but ranked much lower than price and quality.

Consumer preferences as influenced by type of packaging, size of container, and price when purchasing landscape/nursery plants were determined. From February to May 1991, nearly 1,100 questionnaires were completed through personal on-site interviews conducted at flower/garden shows and traditional garden centers. Consumers preferred by almost a two to one margin to purchase trees as balled & burlapped stock and by almost a three to one margin, to purchase shrubs in containers. Over 90% of respondants normally purchased nursery plants from garden centers where they make 60% of their plant purchases. Almost half, 48.6% of these same respondants also purchased nursery plants from discount stores where they made 22.8% of their plant purchases. In 1990, 45% of those surveyed spent $100–500 for nursery stock. Respondants were willing to spend an average of $98 on a single tree. The most important factors in purchasing nursery stock were plant quality, availability of professional help, and plant selection. Plant cost and size were less important.

During the Spring of 1992 a survey of over 2000 respondants was conducted as personal interviews at Flower/Garden Shows in Atlanta, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Portland. When asked how the plants you buy are packaged? Nine percent of the Los Angeles (LA) sample said they purchased trees as balled and burlapped (B & B) while over 40% of the consumers from the other regions purchased trees as B & B. Over 40% of all respondents purchased shrubs in “container”. When asked how would you like to have landscape plants packaged? While only 31% of the LA sample chose to purchase trees as B & B, over 70% of the consumers from other regions preferred to buy in a B & B form. More than 50% of all respondents also preferred to purchase trees in “Container”. By a two to one margin consumers chose to purchase ornamental shrubs in “Container”. Regardless of the region of the country, “bare-root” and “plastic package” were least desired. About 1/2 of the respondents were couples, 80% owned their own homes, over 50% had an income of $25,000 to $75,000 and more than 75% did own plantings.

Correctly anticipating consumer preferences for goods and services can have a large impact on profitability. A survey to measure the influence of plant value and consumer preferences for store services was conducted at flower, lawn and garden shows in Los Angles, Portland, Kansas City, Atlanta and Philadelphia. All five regional markets placed a greater importance on plant quality than on price or plant size. A trained professional sales staff and the availability of a large quantity and good selection of plant material were the highest rated store services in all of the markets. Offering free delivery had the lowest rating in every market. Having the store open on Sunday was more important in the markets on the west coast than in the Kansas City or east coast markets.