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.

The question of access to food has three components: physical access to food, financial access to food and access to information about food. This study explores the issue of financial access to food. The affordability of food is a major consideration for consumers, an important marketing tool for retailers and a principal theme in food policy. Research methods included a comparative shopping exercise (shopping basket analysis) in 109 stores across four towns (two urban and two rural) in Northern Ireland. Store type included multiples (major supermarket chains) and symbol group stores (those stores operating under a franchise from one main buying group). Results indicate that in the main it is cheaper to buy from the multiples, shopping from a symbol group store can incur cost penalties of up to 39.4% above the multiples’ prices. Price disparities, analysed using z‐scores, were apparent between towns and across store types. Similarly, an availability audit of foodstuffs portrayed the multiples as the most comprehensive from which to shop, whereas symbol group stores fared poorly in the availability of fresh green vegetables, carcass meat and wholemeal breads. This is an important issue because it plays an integral part in the health inequality debate and also relates to social exclusion. Fundamentally, financial access to food impinges upon the whole question of food‐purchasing behaviour in terms of accessibility, affordability and availability. Therefore, economic access to food can be used as a useful precursor to a comprehensive analysis of food access in its entirety. It is also useful as an indicator of social exclusion. This study seeks to inform and influence the food policy debate.

No abstract

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.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate consumer attitudes towards packaging design as a tactical strategy for increasing the commercial value of liquid milk within the dairy industry.Design/methodology/approachIn total, six focus groups were conducted containing 33 participants and data were analysed using QSR Nvivo 7. Findings were categorised based on the form, function and appearance of packaging design.FindingsResults highlighted that the majority of participants found milk packaging to be functional; however, beyond this use, vast improvement could be made in terms of the aesthetics surrounding packaging design.Research limitations/implicationsEven for commodity products the use of packaging transcends beyond a functional role as consumers are becoming more demanding in their attitudes towards packaging design.Practical implicationsThe study provides insights for managers in relation to opportunities for adding value through packaging design within the liquid milk sector.Originality/valueThe paper explores consumer attitudes towards milk packaging to identify possible new market opportunities.