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Consumers’ purchase intentions towards traced foods: A comparative analysis between the United Kingdom and China

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Andy Jin, Dr Glyn Jones, Professor Lynn FrewerORCiD

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).


Abstract

© 2023Food traceability can potentially facilitate the identification of safe foods, and enable the authentication of different production characteristics, such as sustainability or quality attributes associated with production practices. The successful implementation of traceability systems will depend on the extent to which consumers are willing to purchase traced foods. This may vary between food categories, and the product characteristics which are being traced. This research investigated Chinese and UK consumers’ responses (UK n = 1656 and Chinese n = 1515) to different traced foods (apples, milk and beef), using online survey methodology. The results showed that Chinese consumers expressed greater intentions to buy traced foods than UK consumers overall. Traced beef and milk incurred higher purchase intentions than traced apples in both countries. A hybrid model has been developed and tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling. The results indicated attitudes and perceived affordability are the main determinants of purchase intentions for UK consumers, while perceived affordability and perceived ease of use are the main determinants for Chinese consumers. Consumer purchase intentions exhibited a greater dependence on existing attitudes towards traced food in general for Chinese consumers, indicating potentially stronger cognitive biases. A perceived price premium had negative impacts on UK consumers', but positive impacts on Chinese consumers’ purchase intentions towards traced foods. This could relate to UK consumers being more price-conscious, while Chinese consumers regarded price premium as signifying greater safety and quality during food decision making. Implications for the future implementation of food traceability systems in China and the UK are discussed.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Jin S, Cao Y, Jones G, Li W, Frewer LJ

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Food Control

Year: 2023

Volume: 152

Print publication date: 01/10/2023

Online publication date: 25/04/2023

Acceptance date: 24/04/2023

Date deposited: 17/05/2023

ISSN (print): 0956-7135

ISSN (electronic): 1873-7129

Publisher: Elsevier Ltd

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2023.109828

DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2023.109828

ePrints DOI: 10.57711/dxg6-n440


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
BB/S020985/1

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