Determining how packaging and labeling of Requeijão cheese affects the purchase behavior of consumers of different age groups

Abstract

Purpose The buying process is affected by many aspects, in which consumer’s age is certainly an important feature to be considered. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the influence of packaging and labeling of Requeijão cheese on the purchasing behavior of different age groups of consumers in order to obtain marketing information that aid in increasing sales of Requeijão cheese. Design/methodology/approach Three focus groups were created, each one composed of ten participants. The first group was aged 18-30 years old, the second group included people aged 31-50, and the third group participants were aged between 51 and 70 years old. Requeijão cheese labeling and packaging was presented to all groups to facilitate a discussion. A moderator asked participants in the three groups about the factors on the packaging and labeling of Requeijão cheese that influence their desire to purchase. Seven final themes were analyzed by thematic analysis: packaging, color and images on label, information, lid, price and brand. Findings The factors of greatest importance that influenced purchasing for the first and second group were glass packaging and color labels. Groups 2 and 3 preferred a packaging size of 250 g, an aluminum cap protected with a plastic cap, information, and affordable prices. Group 1 demonstrated high interest in 220 g packaging, metal lid and brands. Group 3 preferred plastic packaging. All groups were attracted by images on labels related to the product origin. The results from this study may be advantageous for creating marketing strategies to increase sales of Requeijão cheese and similar milk products that are sold in comparable ways. Practical implications Concept and attitudes toward packaging and labeling have changed in modern times. The present study demonstrates how consumers of different age groups have divergent opinions about packaging and labeling of Requeijão cheese, factors that have huge influences in the purchasing of this product. The results from this study will aid in creating marketing strategies to increase sales of Requeijão cheese and similar milk products that are sold in similar conditions. The findings will also assist manufactures in creating bonds with costumers once packaging and labeling might be produced in accordance with the preference of each age group of consumers, and consequently makes the visual aspects of packaging more attractive to them. Originality/value This study collected information about the most features in packaging and labeling of Requeijão cheese that attract consumers in the food buying process. There are many companies that sell Requeijão cheese. Then, it is necessary to understand the needs of consumers in relation to packaging and labeling of similar products, to make it more competitive in the market and to meet the expectations of consumers in order to create bond with them.

Packaging design elements and consumers' decision to buy from the Web: A cause and effect decision‐making model

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“…Traditional qualitative methods such as focus groups and interviews have proven to be a reliable source of information since they facilitate consumers being engaged in the decisions made during the package creation process. They can help explain the purposeful behaviors of individuals, which include understanding how and why a specific product perception is formed, the impact on consumers' purchasing attitudes, and product choice . However, the use of traditional qualitative methods for acquiring information related to consumers' preferences for one product or another is not without contention.…”

The Effect of Consumer Perceived Trust and Image Toward Food Brands on Consumers’ Willingness to Buy

“…Marketing strategies using both of visual and informational elements of packaging to serve different purposes, like attracting customers to the product at points of sale, protecting the product, make it easier to handle, use and store the product, facilitate transportation and storage, …etc. (STEENIS et al, 2017;RIBEIRO et al, 2018). Moreover, packaging can be used as a differentiation tool that marketers can use in their positioning strategies (RIBEIRO et al, 2018).…”

“…(STEENIS et al, 2017;RIBEIRO et al, 2018). Moreover, packaging can be used as a differentiation tool that marketers can use in their positioning strategies (RIBEIRO et al, 2018). Therefore, in designing food package, package's design is considered an important decision, since previous studies show that packaging decisions can profoundly affect the consumer's expectations of the product quality and their willingness to buy it (REBOLLAR et al, 2017).…”

Consumer Habits of Local Food: Perspectives from Northern Sweden

“…With particular reference to artisan cheeses, the studies by Filipović [56], Silvestri [57], Ribeiro et al [58], Giraud et al [59], Adanacioglu and Albayram [60], Paxson [61] and Brunori [26] highlighted consumer trends towards the search for cheeses produced in specific areas. The local artisanal cheese is recognised and appreciated by consumers for its qualitative aspects and for its economic, social, environmental and ethical values.…”