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Reserach question: To what extent has consumer behaviour been influenced by supermarkets’ CSR responses to the COVID-19 pandemic? Purpose: To what extent the perceived importance of CSR responses by supermarkets to the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced consumer behaviour and what implications this have for the business-consumer relationship. Method: Quantitative study by collecting 137 responses from Swedish consumers. A deductive approach to theory development alongside a positivist and partially interpretivist philosophical position is utilized to explain the extent of change in consumer behaviour. Conclusions: The results of the study indicate that the perceived importance of CSR responses to the COVID-19 pandemic of supermarkets has influenced consumer behaviour which has implications for the business-consumer relationship. The authors also discovered that the effect of cause-fit CSR activities is particularly strong in the Swedish empirical context.

Esta investigación se centra en las promociones de venta de la categoría vitivinícola peruana y busca determinar el grado de importancia de la variedad percibida y real dentro de las acciones de promoción monetarias como las rebajas de precio y los descuentos frente a la intención de compra en los supermercados de Lima Metropolitana, donde actualmente el sector está siendo impulsado. Se profundizó en la sobrecarga de información causada por la gran variedad del vino mostrada en el estante, donde se determinó que las promociones de venta son un fuerte atractivo para que los jóvenes tomen una decisión frente a la góndola y realicen la compra final. Sin embargo, los beneficios de las acciones de promoción no serían percibidos por la complejidad frente a la elección. Asimismo, se determinaron hallazgos importantes como los hábitos de un consumidor joven, al cual no se le brinda la suficiente importancia dentro de la categoría. / This research focus on the sales promotion in order to the low-quality wine context. It searches to find the importance grade of the perceived and the real variety within the price reductions and the discounts against the purchase decision in the supermarkets of Metropolitan Lima, where actually the category is being driven. The study deepens in the overload information caused by the huge variety of the wine and the attributes that it has as a hedonic product, where the sales promotion are attractive for the young consumer in front of the display to take it to the final purchase. However, it the benefits are not perceived from the consumers because of the complexity versus the choice when they are looking at the display. Likewise, important findings were determined as the habits of a young consumer, who is not given sufficient importance within the category of wine. / Trabajo de investigación

Cette thèse est un travail empirique sur la dispersion des prix, c'est-à-dire le fait qu'un bien identique puisse être vendu à des prix différents, en violation de la célèbre loi du prix unique. L'approche s'inscrit dans une littérature initiée par Stigler (1961), qui note que "la dispersion des prix est (...) la mesure de l'ignorance dans le marché". Il en découle que de simples observations de prix peuvent révéler beaucoup d'information sur le fonctionnement d'un marché.Le premier chapitre étudie l'impact de la création d'une enseigne à bas prix sur le marché français de la distribution de carburant. Cette création implique que de nombreuses stations sont confrontées à une baisse de prix importante d'un proche concurrent. La réaction agrégée mesurée au niveau national est faible, mais masque des hausses et des baisses en proportions équivalentes. L'hétérogénéité des réactions souligne l'importante segmentation du marché. Le second chapitre, utilisant le même jeu de de données, examine la pertinence de modèles qui identifient la dispersion des prix à des équilibres en stratégies mixtes. Empiriquement, on observe que l'ordre des prix des stations concurrentes tend en effet à varier dans le temps, et que sa volatilité croit lorsque la distance qui sépare les points de vente augmente. La dispersion est donc croissante d'un coût recherche supporté par les consommateurs. Par ailleurs, l'enseigne des stations détermine largement leur stratégie de prix. Les stations qui pratiquent les prix les plus bas sont relativement plus susceptibles de maintenir des prix parfaitement alignés sur ceux des proches concurrents, tandis que la dispersion mesurée entre les stations plus onéreuses est corrélée positivement avec le coût du diesel et le nombre de stations présentes sur le marché. Ainsi, les résultats renforcent la thèse de la coexistence d'un marché proche d'une concurrence à la Bertrand avec un marché moins concurrentiel, où des stations tirent parti de frictions importantes.Le dernier chapitre s'intéresse à la grande distribution, s'appuyant sur des données collectées sur un comparateur de prix en ligne. J'observe que les comparaisons réalisées entre chaînes de magasins par le site sont relativement peu informatives compte tenu de l'hétérogénéité des résultats au niveau local. L'échantillon de produits retenu peut en outre conduire à des résultats largement différents. La volatilité des comparaisons augmente avec la distance séparant les supermarchés, ce qui, comme dans le cas du carburant, dénote la présence de coûts de recherche. A l'échelle locale, le niveau des prix ne croit pas avec la concentration approximée par les parts de marché, ce qui conduit à remettre en question la pertinence de cet indicateur en matière de politique publique. La dispersion est positivement corrélée au niveau des prix, ce qui suggère que l'imperfection de l'information permet effectivement aux supermarchés de pratiquer des prix plus élevés qu'en concurrence parfaite. / This thesis is an empirical study of price dispersion, namely the fact that a homogenous good can typically be purchased at various prices, in violation of the famous law of one price. The approach belongs to a literature initiated by Stigler (1961), which notes that “price dispersion is (...) the measure of ignorance in the market”. A noteworthy consequence is that simple price observations can be very informative about competition in a market.The first chapter analyses the impact of the creation of a discount chain on the French retail gasoline market. This creation implies that many gas stations are confronted with a sharp price decrease by a competitor. The aggregate reaction, measured at the national level, is weak but it conceals increases and decreases in equivalent proportions The heterogeneity of measured reactions highlights an important market segmentation. Using the same data, the second chapter explores the relevance of models which identify price dispersion with an equilibrium in mixed strategies. Empirically, the rank of competing gas stations is indeed observed to vary over time, and its volatility is positively correlated with the distance that separates the outlets. Dispersion thus increases with a search cost incurred by customers. The chain affiliation of gas stations largely determines their pricing strategies. Retailers which have low price policies are more likely than others to keep prices aligned with nearby competitors, while dispersion measured between more expensive gas stations is positively correlated with diesel cost and the number of sellers in the market. Results thus provide further support the coexistence of a market close to Bertrand competition with a less competitive market, where gas stations take advantage of significant frictions.The last chapter focuses on grocery stores, using data collected from an online price comparison website. Aggregate national chain comparisons that are displayed on the website are found to provide information of little value to consumers given the heterogeneity observed within store level comparison results. These can furthermore vary significantly depending on the set of compared products. Volatility tends to increase with the distance that separates supermarkets, which, as in the case of gasoline, suggests that search cost influence competition. Within local markets, the measured concentration is negatively correlated with price levels, which leads to question its effective relevance in terms of public policies. Price dispersion is found to increase with market price levels, which is consistent with sellers taking advantage of consumer search costs to post higher prices.

Several CO2 transcritical booster systems in supermarkets use the potential of integrating geothermal storage, enabling subcooling during warm climate conditions as well as being a heat source during cold climate conditions. First of all, field measurements of one of these systems located in Sweden were analysed with particular focus on the heat-recovery performance. The best theoretical operational strategy was compared to the one really implemented and the differences in the annual energy usage were assessed through modelling. The results show that an alternative to the best theoretical operational strategy exists; heat can be extracted from the ground while low-temperature heat is rejected by the gas cooler. Such an alternative strategy has important technical advantages with a negligible increment of the energy usage. In the second part of this work, the benefits of geothermal subcooling were evaluated. Applying the BIN hours method, it was demonstrated that this system is expected to save on average roughly 5% of the total power consumption, in Stockholm’s climate. The models utilized for the winter and summer season were combined to find the relationship between geothermal storage size and annual energy savings. In this way, it was possible to calculate the present value of the operational savings for the study case. Furthermore, a general methodology for assessing the economic feasibility of this system solution is presented. Finally, several scenarios were investigated to produce parametric curves and to perform a sensitivity analysis. Comparing the results with the typical Swedish prices for boreholes, the cases where this system solution is economically justified were identified. These are supermarkets with a Heat Recovery Ratio (HRR) higher than the average. For examples, supermarkets supplying heat to the neighbouring buildings (considering the Stockholm’s climate, systems with an annual average HRR of at least 70%). Relying only on savings from subcooling was found to be not enough to justify a geothermal storage, a not-negligible amount of heat must be extracted in winter. Finally, some interesting concepts and alternatives to a geothermal integration are presented to point out relevant future work.

Since retailing conceptualisation, it has been at the forefront of societal distribution of necessities, goods and experiences. Human beings, the consumers of retail, have daily or multiple times used supermarkets to express their purchase behaviour and elevate their consumer lifes. In the retail space itself the consumer uses their senses of visual, auditory, olfactory and touch to accurately perceive all around them. But there is a group of individuals who face various challenges in the retail experience: people who are visually impaired. For them, the retail experience differs significantly from the norm. Thus, the purpose of this study is to explore how people who are visually impaired experience the retail setting of supermarkets. With an aim to analyse how in-store design and sensory cues can be used to enable and affect supermarkets for the visually impaired. Additionally, the impact of using aids will be explored to facilitate their role in retail experience. Empirical findings were collected with the help of qualitative single case studies with semi structured interviews. In total, one pilot-study was conducted and 15 visually impaired people were interviewed in Sweden. The informants were asked about their retail experience in supermarkets and how in-store design, senses and aids affect their personal experiences. The findings were analysed and coded through thematic analysis and later discussed with various peer-reviewed literature. Conclusively, this thesis found that visually impaired people experience a significant difference from sighted people in supermarkets. Facing numerous challenges and obstacles in their visits. It was found that visually impaired peopleare separated from other customer segments through various inaccessible factors in the retail setting. However, as these factors work as barriers, the research shows that there exist solutions and potential in the supermarket setting, extending through in-store design, sensory cues, and aids. By facilitating and developing the areas, major improvements to customer accessibility can be introduced.

The purpose of this research is to describe the management of the fresh produce marketing system in retail supermarket chains and to assess the marketing opportunities for specialty produce therein. Results provide new growers with knowledge of the retail industry necessary to establish good relationships with retailers. A selective sample of 17 retail supermarket chains in the Virginia area were identified for inclusion in the study. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the person most responsible for produce merchandising within each chain. Interviewees were asked to discuss management positions and operations and produce procurement and merchandising practices. Results of the interviews provided for a generalization of management structures within supermarket chains. Distribution of strategic responsibilities within the different structures are described. Product movement is found to be the primary criterion used to measure the success of a produce item. Firm image is found to be important in explaining a firm's space allocation and other merchandising decisions. Full service supermarket chains carry the greatest variety of produce, but may be less likely to work with small growers. A core of 40 specialty items are carried by two-thirds of the chains in the study. Items that can be grown in Virginia are identified. Results suggest that marketing niches exist for innovative growers who are willing to place special emphasis on high quality and service to retailers. Most direct relationships between growers and retailers are initiated by growers. An algorithm for produce market identification is presented. / Master of Science

The following is an examination of the effects of multi-tier pay structures upon worker perceptions of pay equity. This study represents a synthesis and replication of two earlier studies that achieved substantially different results. The core elements of the two primary studies (Martin and Peterson, 1987 and Cappelli and Sherer, 1990) were replicated in a unionized retail food operation. It was hypothesized that top tier workers would have more positive perceptions of pay equity, pay satisfaction, company commitment, and union commitment than would lower tier workers. Further, it was hypothesized that positive perceptions of job mobility would be inversely related to the above measures. Support was found for between-tier differences in both pay satisfaction and pay equity. Support was also found for the inverse relationship between job mobility and all of the above dependent measures. / Master of Science

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The South African business arena forms a rich platform for tertiary research in strategic management to post graduate students attending South African business schools. The problem exists, however, that very few of these case studies are written up and therefore available as research material to the students. The researcher contributes with this case study to the lean body of research material available for research of South African businesses. The chosen company for research purposes are Pick 'n Pay Stores Limited. This company is typically a leader in the food retailing industry. Information regarding this company is readily available, which increases the learning experience for the student. The study project is presented in the form of a case study that urges the student to work through the material and answer the questions. The questions are formulated with the purpose of guiding the student through the logical steps of a strategic analysis of a company. The case study also includes a model answer that serves the purpose of guiding the lecturer towards the expected answers to the questions of the case study. Initially the student is introduced to a model that could typically be used in the strategic analysis of a company. This model serves as a framework for the strategic analysis of Pick 'n Pay. The student is invited to use this model in the strategic analysis of the company. In so far as this model is not adequate, the student may introduce a new model as long as business-minded and/or academic arguments underpin it. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Suid-Afrikaanse besigheidsarena skep 'n ryk platform vir tersiêre navorsing in strategie bestuur aan nagraadse studente by bestuurskole. Die probleem bestaan egter dat min sodanige gevallestudies opgeteken is en derhalwe beskikbaar is as leerstof. Die navorser dra by wyse van hierdie werkstuk by tot die uitgedunde bron van leermateriaal beskikbaar vir strategiese analises van Suid-Afrikaanse gevallestudies. Die gekose maatskappy vir analise, is Pick 'n Pay Stores Limited. Hierdie maatskappy is tipies 'n leier in die kleinhandel voedsel industrie. Daar is baie inligting beskikbaar en opgeteken aangaande hierdie maatskappy, wat die leerervaring vir die student vergroot. Die werkstuk word opgeskryf in die vorm van 'n gevallestudie wat die student noop om , deur die leesstof te werk en die opgestelde vrae te beantwoord. Die vrae is geformuleer met die doel om die student deur die logiese stappe van 'n strategiese analise van 'n maatskappy te lei. Die gevallestudie sluit ook 'n modelantwoord in wat ten doel het om die dosent te lei in die antwoorde wat verwag word in die gevallestudie. Die student word aanvanklik voorgestel aan 'n model wat gebruik kan word in 'n tipiese strategiese analise van 'n maatskappy. Hierdie model dien as raamwerk vir die strategiese analise van Pick 'n Pay. Die student word uitgenooi om hierdie model te gebruik om die strategiese analise van die maatskappy te doen. In soverre hierdie model nie voldoende is nie, kan die student 'n nuwe model bekend stel, solank dit met weldeurdagte akademiese en/of besigheidsbeginsels onderstreep word.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The book industry in South Africa is under severe pressure the last couple of years. The reason why the book industry in South Africa is under severe pressure is because of various reasons; one of the reasons is that the South African Government is spending less each year on education, specifically on school text books. As per the Willem Struik (2009) during the SABA conference in Durban, government has spend by more than 87% less on school text books. There is a further challenge for Publishers in order to generate more sales and that is that digitalization has a big impact on the turnover of publishers. The study is not doing an in-depth research on digitalisation and the impact thereof. The biggest impact that digitalisation has on the book industry and specific to publishers is that the gross profit is less for a digital book than a physical book. The main reason why the gross profit (GP) is less for a digital book is because all input costs remain the same for a digital and physical book, it is only the logistics where there is a cost saving (no more warehousing and physical distribution). The study analysis the potential additional revenue there is for publishers if they were to decide to supply to Supermarkets and not to the traditional book outlets only. The study as per Appendix A clearly indicates that there is definitely more revenue for the publishers to make if they were to supply books to supermarkets. The study also identifies that there are basically four role players in the business concept of supplying books to supermarkets and they are the publisher, retailer, logistics company and the end-consumer. The study indicates that in order for the business concept of supplying books to supermarkets to be successful all four role players have to believe in this concept and agree on the terms conditions from the various parties.