Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are rapidly transforming grocery retailing through innovations such as scan-and-go systems, smart carts, and cashierless stores. These technologies promise greater efficiency and convenience but also raise concerns related to job displacement and the broader societal implications of retail automation. At the same time, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is another important factor influencing consumer evaluations of grocery retailers, particularly with respect to ethical business practices and support for local or sustainable food systems. Despite growing interest in both retail automation and corporate responsibility, little is known about how consumers evaluate these factors simultaneously when choosing among grocery stores. This study investigates how AI-enabled checkout technologies (e.g., partially automated and fully automated store formats) and store-level social responsibility attributes jointly influence consumer selection of grocery stores. Using a discrete choice experiment with 855 U.S. consumers, we estimate a mixed logit model to examine trade-offs between store attributes and consumers’ willingness to travel. The results indicate that consumers generally prefer partially automated stores to fully automated stores and place greater importance on store-level ethical practices than on the ethical attributes of food products when making store choices. Furthermore, information emphasizing the positive social impacts of automation increases consumer preference for automated stores, whereas negative information has limited influence. These findings reveal how technological innovation and social responsibility jointly influence consumer store preferences and offer guidance for grocery retailers investing in retail automation and other key attributes to remain and attract consumers.

Vegetable grafting is a sustainable and eco-friendly practice for vegetable producers to manage plant diseases, boost plant nutrients and water absorption, and increase fruit yields and quality. To better promote the practice among U.S. vegetable producers and enhance the research and extension efforts regarding vegetable grafting, an online multistakeholder vegetable grafting economic decision support system (DSS) is developed. Users can rely on the DSS to conduct partial-budget, sensitivity, and breakeven analyses to comprehensively assess the economic implications of using vegetable grafting in various farm operations. The DSS also provides an essential platform for researchers, extension personnel, and producers to share information on the economics of vegetable grafting. It can serve as a valuable tool for stakeholders to analyze the economic feasibility of vegetable grafting and promote connections between various stakeholders, including producers, extension personnel, and researchers.

Food labels are created to reduce information asymmetry and help consumers make better food choices. However, the labels may have unanticipated effects, especially when they share common characteristics that may introduce confusion in making food choices. This study investigates how perceived relationships between different food labels may affect the price premiums of organic and local attributes for milk and fresh strawberries. Results show that the impacts of perception vary by product and label, and different food labels could positively affect price premiums on organic and local products. Results provide policy implications for better labeling and educational programs to reduce inadvertent confusion and improve consumer decision-making.

Purpose In this paper, we provide a simple conceptual framework with empirical analysis to investigate the effect of product attributes and e-vendor characteristics that are potentially included in the online shopper's information search on their online shopping behavior in China. Design/methodology/approach This paper examines consumers' online shopping frequency for food/grocery using an ordered logit model and for fresh food (a subcategory of food/grocery) using a two-part model, considering product attributes, e-vendor characteristics, and consumer perceptions and characteristics. Findings The results show that product origin is an influencing factor in shopping for fresh food online, reflecting consumers' growing interests in imported food or specialty food from other areas. Consumers are more likely to shop online for fresh food if they perceive online shopping as having a price advantage. But consumers who view price as a top factor are less likely to buy fresh food online frequently. Thus competitive prices might be a motive for online fresh food shopping, but consumers concerned about price do not necessarily shop frequently. Negative perceptions of product freshness reduce consumers' likelihood and frequency of shopping for fresh food online. Concerns on food quality and e-vendors' credibility prevent consumers from frequently shopping for fresh food online. Social and demographic characteristics also influence consumers' decisions. Originality/value This paper provides a better understanding of consumer's online grocery shopping preferences and sheds light on policy and regulation design and implementation in the e-commerce industry, which will ultimately protect and benefit consumers.

Community supported agriculture (CSA) serves as a platform for local producers, especially for small size farms, to sell fresh, local products directly to its members. CSA is an important approach to promote local economic growth and contribute to sustainable agriculture. Although CSA is widely accepted across the United States, the total number of CSA membership is still very low. It is important to determine the factors that affect the future development of CSA because of its social and environmental benefits. In this study, we analyze how the motivation, barriers, and methods of advertisement influence the participation dynamics of CSA by segmenting consumers based on their past, current, and future CSA participation. Based on a national survey with 795 responses, the results show that the younger generation, high-income families, and people who support sustainable agriculture are more likely to renew their CSA subscription. CSA members are found to be very sensitive to the time of food distribution, the price of products, and the location of CSA farms. Moreover, the impacts of perceived barriers of CSA participation and advertisement method vary based on respondents’ membership status. This paper sheds light on factors that influence various consumer groups and offers a more dynamic analysis of CSA consumer behavior. This analysis enhances understanding of CSA members’ preferences and could help CSA programs expand in the future and to better promote local food systems and sustainable agriculture.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) serves as platform for local producers, especially for small size farms, to sell local fresh products directly to local residents. Joining CSA will benefit the local economy as well as the local agriculture. Although CSA is widely accepted across the United States, the amount of CSA membership is still very low. Some people argue that the CSA membership is prevented by lack of choices in variety of products, or inconvenience of picking-up. In this study, we apply quantitative methods to identifying barriers that prohibit CSA participation or factors affecting unsubscribe of the CSA membership. We also compare characteristics and food perception of different consumers group (non-CSA members, previous CSA members and current CSA members). Based on the 780 responses collected from a consumer survey at the national level, our results show that only 6% of the total sample is current CSA members. The top two reasons for unsubscribing of the CSA membership are that they prefer farmer’s market and not cooking at home. On the other hand, the top two important factors for participation in CSA are supporting local and family farms.

Meat is a perishable food which appears in the market in a variety of forms. Using a choice experiment survey conducted across four Chinese cities, this paper studies consumers' preferences for packaging and preservation methods and place of origin for fresh pork. Results showed that Chinese consumers preferred chilled and locally produced pork packaged in plastic. They discounted frozen and imported pork more than hot pork. Consumers believed that meat, which had been frozen or preserved over a long period, was not as fresh. Many consumers believe their own perceptions about meat preservation methods are correct when in fact they may be wrong. When scientific information about meat preservation methods was introduced, a significantly positive effect could be observed on their preferences and on the willingness-to-pay for frozen meat, chilled meat, and imported meat. This suggests that using science-based information to educate consumers can increase the economic value of pork. The implications on the marketing and trade of pork are explored.