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Persons involved in pallet decisions at U.S. grocery distribution centers were surveyed to investigate the degree of material substitution, assess factors influencing pallet material substitution, and quantify consumer perceptions of wood pallets compared to substitutes. A total of 444 questionnaires were mailed nationwide. Underlying reasons for material substitution were investigated through in-depth interviews with 20 respondents. Cost per use was considered by grocery distributors to be the Persons involved in pallet decisions at U.S. grocery distribution centers were surveyed to investigate the degree of material substitution, assess factors influencing pallet material substitution, and quantify consumer perceptions of wood pallets compared to substitutes. A total of 444 questionnaires were mailed nationwide. Underlying reasons for material substitution were investigated through in-depth interviews with 20 respondents. Cost per use was considered by grocery distributors to be the most important factor when choosing a pallet to be sent downstream to their customers. Common advantages of solid wood pallets reported by respondents included: availability, low initial cost, durability/stability (the ability of the pallet to be racked and hold the necessary weight with little deflection), industry standard, ability to exchange, ease of repair. Common disadvantages of solid wood pallets reported by respondents included: easily damaged, short life, high repair and replacement costs, heavy, inconsistent construction, and damages product. Advantages of plastic pallets reported by respondents included: light weight, durability, longer life, true four-way entry, and ability to nest. Plastic pallets were perceived to be superior to wood pallets in terms of overall performance, durability, and recyclability. Although 100 percent of the responding companies use solid wood pallets to ship goods to customers, approximately 20 percent of the companies also use plastic pallets (the dominant substitute pallet material) for this purpose. The common plastic pallet used by respondents was of the twin sheet thermoform type. The primary reason for switching to plastic pallets was perceived overall cost savings resulting from long pallet life. / Master of Science

The research reported in this thesis tested the hypothesis that low-income families purchase private brands of selected food products because they represent acceptable quality at lower prices. The six food products selected were coffee, flour, peanut butter, bread, pork and beans, and margarine. The data collected in field interviews and subsequent statistical analyses consistently refuted the hypothesis. This finding is true for the low-income consumer segment and its sub-categories, white and Negro. The low-income consumers do not purchase private brands heavily, but test data indicate that this market segment buys more private brands than does the C > $7000 consumer group. There is evidence of substantial differences in the buying habits of low-income Negro and white consumers. While neither market segment purchases more private brands than national labels, the N < $3000 consumer tends to buy more private brands than does the W < $3000 consumer. Contrary to the hypothesis the indication is that the C > $7000 consumer knows price better than does the low-income consumer. Also, greater importance is attached to price by the C > $7000 group than by the low-income segment. This is not true of the Negro consumer. As stated above, the N < $3000 consumer buys more private brands than does the W < $3000 consumer. This tendency exists for price knowledge and the importance attached to price. The Negro consumer tends to know prices better, and he attaches more importance to price than does any of the other income segments tested. Regarding private-brand awareness, none of the market segments tested was well informed about private-brand market offerings. However, low-income consumers were able to name more private brands than were the C > $7000 consumers. Negro consumers were able to name more private labels than the W < $3000 group. The field data and test results all indicate that the Negro consumer tends to spend his money on the selected products more knowledgeably than the lower income white consumer. The Negro is better informed as to price and the private-brand offering. / M.S.