Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify consumer segments based on preferences for food quality labels in Czechia. The goal of the research is to identify the attitudes of Czech consumers towards foods bearing quality labels and to create a consumer typology based on attitudes towards food quality labels. Design/methodology/approach The survey was conducted among 444 respondents of Czechia over 18 years of age, addressed in front of grocery stores. Using cluster analysis, the segmentation of Czech consumers based on their attitudes to food quality labels was investigated. Consumer segments were profiled using individual consumer characteristics (knowledge of quality labels, perception of quality labels, willingness to pay more for food quality labels and socio-demographics characteristics). Findings The three most important factors for Czech consumer when buying food are price, origin and appearance. There are three segments of Czech consumers: quality seekers, unconscious shoppers and impulsive shoppers. Consumers from these segments have different attitudes and perceptions regarding food quality labels. The largest segment is unconscious shoppers (almost 50 per cent of respondents, lower values for their attitudes towards quality labels as well as their knowledge, primarily women living in single households or in three- to four-person households), followed by quality seekers and impulsive shoppers. Quality seekers (24 per cent of all respondents) have positive attitudes towards food quality labels and have had previous positive experiences with quality labels and the composition and origin of the foods. These respondents exhibited the highest spontaneous knowledge of food quality labels on the Czech market. They are primarily men with a university education, living in two- to five-person households, and with above-average earnings. Impulsive shoppers (26 per cent of all respondents) consider the price and composition of the product to be the most important criterion. Current taste or preference is an important purchase criterion, and they are focused on BIO and Ceský výrobek labels. They are typically educated women, living in up to four-person households, and with average earnings. Research limitations/implications The study demonstrates that consumers are driven by different factors when buying food. The research sample does not fully correspond with the proportion of males and females in the Czech population. Food quality labels are a favourably perceived decision-making factor. The study is focused on food quality labels on the Czech market, where knowledge of EU quality schemes is lower compared to other EU countries such as France, Italy and Spain. Practical implications Food quality labels bring benefits to consumers as well as producers, because consumers are buying a product with specific value-adding qualities and producers can better promote food products with unique quality. Furthermore, the study confirms a need to extend and intensify promotional and communication activities to increase consumer preferences for food quality labels. Originality/value The study presents some important differences between the developed segments and highlights the importance of various factors in making food choices. Another finding is that the segmentation of Czech consumers based on their perception of food quality labels is better than one based on socio-demographic characteristics.

This study aims to analyse the elements which contribute most to defining the quality of a food product.Geographical provenance, age, propensity to read the label on products, scientific knowledge and self-assessment of knowledge on food safety-related issues emerged as the main differences between the two groups.The perception of quality appears to affect purchase decisions and dietary patterns. The description of the consumer groups who use the same elements to define quality provided a useful insight into consumer choices and potential risk-exposure behaviours.The study of these aspects is therefore relevant for designing effective and targeted communication actions, not only for companies but also for public institutions in charge of safeguarding public health.

The aim of this article is to reveal the perception of green marketing by young consumers from Generation Y and present a research model with variables that influence green consumer behavior (GCB). As the main method, we used a questionnaire survey with a sample of 520 respondents, mainly students at the University of Economics in Prague. Results were subjected to exploratory factor analysis, which examined convergent and discriminant validity. Finally, a model with four variables (Environmentalism, Preference, Payment, Tolerance) that influence GCB was confirmed. Recommendations of the research enable us to better understand the reasons why consumers from Generation Y do, or do not, buy green products. Firms can better focus their marketing strategies and communications with respect to variables that influence GCB. This research uncovers Generation Y consumers’ distinct preferences toward GCB. It also contributes to theoretical and practical aspects of GCB and has implications for research and practice, as green marketing continues to be an important issue. In terms of practical application in industry, the research’s outcomes are essential to promote better market demand, segmentation, targeting, and positioning of green products for Generation Y consumers.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG) utilization on European Union (EU) cheese market. Design/methodology/approach – Secondary data comes from the database of origin and registration. In total, 235 product names registered in the database for cheeses and cheese products were analyzed according to type of label and country of origin. To discover a dependences between the variables, χ2 test and contingency coefficients were calculated. Hierarchical clustering method enabled to identify the clusters of countries with similar distribution of products in the database. Findings – More than 80 percent of cheeses and cheese products are certified with PDO. Leading countries in number of certified products are France and Italy. Taking into account all product classes in the database, only 6 percent of all PGIs, 33 percent of PDOs and 15 percent of TSGs were awarded for cheeses and cheese products. A middle weak correlation between the number of certified products and the country of origin was confirmed. Research limitations/implications – The number of certified products is continuously increasing, their distribution between countries may change slightly over time. Only cluster analysis and two criteria of comparison were used. Practical implications – To local food producers, the findings provide a more deep insight to the EU cheese market. It could stimulate their effort in products certification. Originality/value – The paper brings findings about PDO/PGI/TSG utilization for cheese products in EU countries. There is not research study carried out from the same perspective.

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