People make hundreds of decisions about foods and drinks every day. Our food habits are multifaceted and, at several levels, integrated with aspects of which foods and drinks we choose to consume. Food choices in different situations are governed by social and cultural aspects, geography, education, tradition, and religion, as well as by genetics and hormonal processes. Food habits are also influenced by marketing and distribution efforts of actors in the food system, where food retailers are the hub that connects food demand and food supply.
There should be no doubt that there are high stakes involved in the need for change of food habits and the food system. Most of the sustainability goals set by the UN in Agenda 2030 are, either directly or indirectly, related to healthy and sustainable food habits. Increasing global concerns include, for example, climate change and its impacts linked to food processing and food distribution, unhealthy food habits leading to increases in cardiovascular disease and diabetes and poverty, and inequality and its links to access to healthy and safe food.
A significant part of our households’ climate impact is related to food. In recent years, increased attention and pressure has been put on the food system and food retail, to step up and play a part in the promotion of healthy and sustainable food habits. The retail sector has in many ways taken on the challenge, but many steps remain. To capture how the food system and food retail can play its part in the promotion of healthy and sustainable food habits, we welcome contributions on any aspect on food retail and food consumption. Conceptual papers are welcome, as are empirical papers using any methodological approach (e.g., case-studies, action research, surveys etc.), and any focus on topics including, but not limited to, the role of food retail in the following areas:
- Consumer behavior, food habits and food culture
- In-store marketing
- Retail strategy and sustainability
- Food distribution and food packaging
- Food labelling and branding
- Product development and food supply
- Store and employee management
This is not intended to be a proscriptive list and we welcome contributions on any topic related to retail, distribution and consumer research with particular focus on the promotion of healthy and sustainable food habits.
