Since the late 1990's, "food deserts" have dominated the academic and policy literature on food access and food security. Food deserts are defined as areas that lack easy access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food, and are typically measured using Geographic Information Systems and spatial data sets. However, while food deserts may provide a useful measure for identifying food insecurity at a broad scale, they fail to account for individual definitions and perceptions of food access (Barnes et al. 2015; McEntee 2009). Furthermore, the food desert model assumes a lack of agency on the part of low-income populations (Alkon et al. 2013), and ignores other factors of food access, such as walkability, grocery store safety, customer service, and personal preference. In this research, I examine the food access perceptions of residents, non-profit employees, and business owners in the Lents neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. Although Lents is classified as a food desert, there is also an abundance of ethnic grocers and specialty markets within the neighborhood. These grocers reflect the neighborhood's racial and cultural diversity, and are often overlooked by the spatial datasets typically used to measure food access. The research that I conducted in Lents revealed a disconnect between how the residents I interviewed perceive their food environment, and how government, non-profits employees, and business owners within the neighborhood view local food access. The findings underscore the importance of factors other than physical proximity when measuring food access, and also show the importance of ethnic and specialty markets in the landscape. These findings support the assertion that binary measures of food access often fail to capture the complexities of individual perceptions of food access (Alkon et al. 2013).

近年來由於資訊科技的發達與通訊網路的開放，國內流通業者逐漸意識到資訊科技的可得性與重要性，尤其是電子資料交換(EDI) 近來在國內更是方興未艾，成為業者因應通路革命的一大競爭武器。本研究主要是探討行銷通路與 EDI的互動關係，分析 EDI應用對通路體系效益的影響以及個別通路成員所分配到的成本效益，並說明第三者機構 (如政府單位與加值網路業者) 在推動 EDI 交易的角色定位。本研究屬於探索性研究，主要是藉由實地訪談國內食品飲料業的上中下游廠商，參考國外相關文獻，以探討通路成員目標、政府機構、組織特質對 EDI應用策略的影響，進一步分析 EDI交易對通路結構、通路關係、及通路效益的衝擊。經由理論與實務之觸發印證，本研究發現在通路系統中，由於零售商與供應商的通路地位不同，不但引進 EDI的動機有所差異，由電子連線交易中所獲致的效益亦有層次之分。此外，在建立 EDI系統初期，政府機構的介入有其必要性，而加值網路業者在通路系統中的角色亦將益形重要。最後，必須強調的是 EDI系統雖然對後勤活動的助益最顯而亦見，但是與 POS系統相結合應 用之後，將可幫助通路成員在行銷活動上發揮更大的效益。 EDI 對通路成員的長期涵義仍未十分明確，與交易對象建立電子連線也可能對組織造成複雜的管理問題，然而，EDI 將逐漸成為企業經營的必要方式，其對競爭態勢的衝擊值得吾人重視。

<p>The Swedish food retail market contains of three major actors, ICA, KF and Axfood, all in all dominating 75 percent of the total market shares. The scant number of retailing actors indicates that the Swedish food retail market is a highly concentrated oligopoly, which as a fact has given rise to definite discussions and argumentations concerning the market situation. But is the food retail market imperfect and how do we reach a workable competition? Economic theory does not provide any clear answer on these questions, but is rather divided into two fundamentally different approaches to define competition: the static and the dynamic perspective on competition. </p><p>In an attempt to examine the competition on local Swedish retail markets, the purpose of this study is to carry out an econometric model estimating the situation. The model serves to explain the variation of ICA’s achievements measured in terms of turnovers obtained in the company. The explanatory variables composing the model are divided into three separate groupings: degreeof market concentration, storespecific factors and region-specific factors. Furthermore, in order to find out which one of the competitive explanations best fits the reality, the regression results are interpreted from a static and a dynamic perspective of competition. In part, we also aim to compare the results with the outline of the Swedish competition law. </p><p>We found that the level of concentration obtained in our material is high and is steadily increasing. We also found that stores do not, in any great extent, use price, service and quality as competitive methods. Thus, to gain competitive advantage, market actors must find other ways to carry out strategic market activities. The region-specific variables had either none or very little influence on ICA’s turnover. According to these findings, neither the static nor the dynamic perspective of competition is solely able to produce an accurate method for reaching a state of a workable competition. Instead, a combination of the static and the dynamic ideas may be regarded as the most advantageous way to generate suitable conditions for competition to be efficient. Therefore, in order to promote workable competition, the Swedish competition law must consist of a balance between the static and the dynamic view of competition.</p>

<p>Technology based self-service (TBSS) used in supermarket self-scanning checkouts is a relatively new phenomenon in Sweden. Studies on TBSS as a self- checkout device have been formerly carried out but with focus on the customer perspective. The authors therefore saw a challenge in covering the self-scan checkout concept, from a company perspective. The purpose of this research paper is to investigate, through a management perspective, the changes brought about by implementing an innovative TBSS system in Swedish supermarkets, and its effect on the competitiveness of the company. This is done by presenting and linking the theoretical framework and empirical study in the research. The theoretical framework of the paper includes the following topics: role and importance of innovation in a business context and TBSS as innovation as well as product life cycle connected to innovation; competitive advantage theory and complementary concepts, value chain theory, and finally the importance of customer relationship management in the ‘new’ self-service economy. The empirical study consists of two Swedish supermarkets in the city of Linköping, Coop Forum and ICA Maxi. Results of the research paper mainly include the following: Changes brought about by implementing technology-based self-service systems in supermarkets must be discussed in the view of short-term and long- term perspectives separately. Changes involve the value creating activities of supermarkets and include increased quality of services to customers. It has been further found that TBSS can add to the competitiveness of supermarkets. However, positive financial results can only be expected in the long-term which in the case of Swedish supermarkets offering TBSS services is not yet apparent. The empirical findings have shown that Coop Forum and ICA Maxi had to carry out changes and make adjustments to their value activities and customer relationship management in order to operate TBSS checkouts successfully. Competitiveness between them has been also affected due to the TBSS service offering.</p>

The Swedish food retail market contains of three major actors, ICA, KF and Axfood, all in all dominating 75 percent of the total market shares. The scant number of retailing actors indicates that the Swedish food retail market is a highly concentrated oligopoly, which as a fact has given rise to definite discussions and argumentations concerning the market situation. But is the food retail market imperfect and how do we reach a workable competition? Economic theory does not provide any clear answer on these questions, but is rather divided into two fundamentally different approaches to define competition: the static and the dynamic perspective on competition. In an attempt to examine the competition on local Swedish retail markets, the purpose of this study is to carry out an econometric model estimating the situation. The model serves to explain the variation of ICA’s achievements measured in terms of turnovers obtained in the company. The explanatory variables composing the model are divided into three separate groupings: degreeof market concentration, storespecific factors and region-specific factors. Furthermore, in order to find out which one of the competitive explanations best fits the reality, the regression results are interpreted from a static and a dynamic perspective of competition. In part, we also aim to compare the results with the outline of the Swedish competition law. We found that the level of concentration obtained in our material is high and is steadily increasing. We also found that stores do not, in any great extent, use price, service and quality as competitive methods. Thus, to gain competitive advantage, market actors must find other ways to carry out strategic market activities. The region-specific variables had either none or very little influence on ICA’s turnover. According to these findings, neither the static nor the dynamic perspective of competition is solely able to produce an accurate method for reaching a state of a workable competition. Instead, a combination of the static and the dynamic ideas may be regarded as the most advantageous way to generate suitable conditions for competition to be efficient. Therefore, in order to promote workable competition, the Swedish competition law must consist of a balance between the static and the dynamic view of competition.

Technology based self-service (TBSS) used in supermarket self-scanning checkouts is a relatively new phenomenon in Sweden. Studies on TBSS as a self- checkout device have been formerly carried out but with focus on the customer perspective. The authors therefore saw a challenge in covering the self-scan checkout concept, from a company perspective. The purpose of this research paper is to investigate, through a management perspective, the changes brought about by implementing an innovative TBSS system in Swedish supermarkets, and its effect on the competitiveness of the company. This is done by presenting and linking the theoretical framework and empirical study in the research. The theoretical framework of the paper includes the following topics: role and importance of innovation in a business context and TBSS as innovation as well as product life cycle connected to innovation; competitive advantage theory and complementary concepts, value chain theory, and finally the importance of customer relationship management in the ‘new’ self-service economy. The empirical study consists of two Swedish supermarkets in the city of Linköping, Coop Forum and ICA Maxi. Results of the research paper mainly include the following: Changes brought about by implementing technology-based self-service systems in supermarkets must be discussed in the view of short-term and long- term perspectives separately. Changes involve the value creating activities of supermarkets and include increased quality of services to customers. It has been further found that TBSS can add to the competitiveness of supermarkets. However, positive financial results can only be expected in the long-term which in the case of Swedish supermarkets offering TBSS services is not yet apparent. The empirical findings have shown that Coop Forum and ICA Maxi had to carry out changes and make adjustments to their value activities and customer relationship management in order to operate TBSS checkouts successfully. Competitiveness between them has been also affected due to the TBSS service offering.

Introduction: The retail market in the 21st century will be determined on how quickly and efficiently the retailer can respond to shifts in consumer demands. Due to the physical environment of the store (store value) and the interaction with the consumer (shopping trip value), the local retail store has the advantage of generating this tangible and intangible information. It is then of importance that this information will be transferred towards the retailer, who has the opportunity to use this information and generate it into outputs that can be used as negoitables; this value creation process is an unique success indicator for creating a value network within retail supply chain. Purpose: The aim of this research is to present an understanding on the value creation process in the grocery retail chain. Methodology: Having an inductive nature, this thesis tried to bring a new understanding on value creation in grocery retail business, by using hermeneutics as a methodology approach. For empirical study, the qualitative approach was used. Data was collected through open-ended interviews with representatives in grocery retail chains. Conclusion: The main players in the value network were determined in a grocery retail chain as retailer, local retail store and other stores in the chain; and the suppliers. An intensive value exchange between the retail store and the retailer was found and following that, it was concluded that the retailer converts the value input from the local retail store into tangible and intangible value outputs towards suppliers. Combining the conclusions, the research defines that a value network is existing, but on a very low level. But more to the point, the study shows the importance of value creation by the retail chain, and that creating the possibility to share information about products, in-store experience, consumer knowledge, and consumer requirements is one of the biggest advantage the grocery retail chain has to develop this value network further.

Aim: The concept of CSR is getting more attention among various fields but there has been a lack of research in enhancing the awareness of CSR within the field of retailing. In order to fill this gap, the aim of this study is to investigate the significance of CSR and green marketing (ecological labels) in the business of retailing while evaluating the affect of it on consumer behavior.   Method: Case study research method is opted for this study to answer “why” and “how” questions. Furthermore, quantitative data has been collected through in store and online customer interview. The research data is analysed by using Microsoft Office Excel.   Result &amp; Conclusions: The result shows that CSR is well incorporated and practiced by ICA Kvantum, AB. Their business philosophy is focused on customer, product, environment, diversity and community. They provide environmental and organic products by abiding the rules and law of goods production that also protects the environment. Moreover, the quantitative study reveals that Swedish female consumer between the ages of 26-35 are more responsible towards environment. It also shows that most of the consumers are still buying conventional (non-ecological) products and majority of them don’t check eco-labels before purchasing but they are willing to pay more for ecological and organic foods. Thus, CSR and green marketing affects consumer buying behavior through different ways.   Suggestions for future research: The similar research can be performed by adopting qualitative data from company’s experts to record their perspective about CSR and green marketing. Moreover, it would be interesting to investigate multiple retail companies operating in different cities. Furthermore, it could give innovative results, if the study investigates the link of trust and loyalty on consumer behavior, as they are the key components in consumer purchase decision.   Contribution of the study: This study identifies and explains the concept of CSR and the important elements of CSR in grocery retailing. The novel concept of green marketing and ecological products has been studied in relation to consumer behavior. The investigation of CSR and green marketing on consumer behavior is a unique combination which has not investigated extensively within the field of grocery retailing.

Sammanfattning Bakgrund Att minska matsvinnet är en viktig del i arbetet mot att nå en hållbar utveckling. Utsläpp av växthusgaser och övergödning sker i alla produktionsled i livsmedelskedjan från producent till konsument och utgör en negativ klimatpåverkan. Livsmedelsbutiker har en betydelsefull roll eftersom de hanterar stora mängder varor och tillhandahåller mat till många hushåll. Forskning finns om typ och omfattning av matsvinn slänger men få studier har belyst hur chefer och personal i livsmedelsbutik upplever och tänker kring ämnet. Syfte Syftet var att undersöka upplevelser och tankar kring matsvinn hos butikschefer samt anställda i livsmedelsbutiker. Metod Studien genomfördes som en kvalitativ studie där butikschefer och anställda vid åtta livsmedelsbutiker intervjuades. Datamaterialet transkriberades och analyserades därefter med kvalitativ innehållsanalys enligt Graneheim och Lundman. Resultat  Matsvinn sågs som ett problemområde som deltagarna upplevde svårt att motverka. De beskrev det som ett etiskt dilemma när fullgod mat kastas och det samtidigt finns svält och en miljö som belastas. Det fanns faktorer utanför livsmedelsbutikernas kontroll som gjorde arbetet med matsvinn besvärligt. Ekonomi var enligt deltagarna betydande för livsmedelsbutikers överlevnad och de upplevde minskat svinn som en möjlighet till att spara pengar. Andra betydelsefulla faktorer för att motverka matsvinnet hos livsmedelsbutikerna var rätt hantering och goda rutiner. Kunskap upplevdes bidra till att minska matsvinn och därför ansåg deltagarna att den borde öka hos både anställda och kunder. Tanken om samarbete med producenter upplevdes som god men däremot svårt gällande konkurrenter.   Slutsats Denna studie har påvisat att matsvinn är ett komplext ämne eftersom det samexisterar med svält och miljöpåfrestningar. Det är bra om livsmedelsbutiker ändrar sina attityder gällande samarbete för att möjliggöra gemensamma åtgärder mot matsvinn. Möjligheten att tjäna pengar driver butikerna till handling. Livsmedelsbutikerna bör utforma bättre och rakare direktiv till personal och kunder för en bättre hantering och minskat matsvinn. / Abstract Background Reducing the amount of food waste is an important factor in achieving sustainable development. Grocery stores play important roles since they handle large amounts of groceries and provide food for numerous households. Studies concerning what and which amounts grocery stores throw away exist. However, few studies have examined how personnel in grocery stores experience and think about the subject.  Objective The aim was to examine managers and employee’s experiences and thoughts about food waste at grocery stores. Method The study was conducted as a qualitative study where interviews with managers and employees at eight grocery stores were carried out. The data material was transcribed and analyzed with content analysis according to Graneheim and Lundman. Results Food waste was seen as a problem area that participants believed was difficult to avert. They described it like an ethical dilemma when food is thrown and at the same time people are starving and the environment is affected. There are external factors that affect the stores, and thus can make working with food waste difficult. The financial matter was an important factor for the survival of supermarkets and it was found that the participants’ main reason for reducing food waste was the opportunity to save money. Other factors to reduce food waste were proper handling and good routines. Adequate knowledge was something that contributed to lower food waste and therefore participants found it should increase in both staff and customers. The idea of​​cooperationwith producersperceived asgoodbutdifficultcurrentcompetitors. Conclusion This study has shown that food waste is a complex issue as it coexists with starvation and environmental stress. Grocery stores ought to change their attitudes regarding cooperation to enable joint actions against food waste. The possibility to save money drives the participants to act. The best way to minimize food waste is to educate personnel and to make more precise orders based on the actual demand.

Summary                                                               Overweight and obesity in Sweden and in the rest of the industrialized world continues to increase. This results in increased costs both to society and the healthcare system. Part of this development is the increasing consumption of sugar and that is what should be restricted to tackle this growing social problem. Part of the increased consumption of sugar in Sweden was the launch of pick and mix ingrocery stores.  This study aims to examine how store managers look at their public health responsibilities, and investigate how managers of grocery stores think about health and health aspects in general and about the sugar consumption in particular. Semi-structured "face to face" interviews was used to collect data and seven grocery store managers participated in the study. The interviews were analyzed using concentration of sentences that involves compiling the interviewees' statements into shorter formulations. Results of the study showed that all the store managers claimed to take the health responsibilities that can be expected of them. The health aspects taken into account by the store managers were that they provided good organic and locally produced groceries and that some of them had collaboration with a dietician or people with other professions related to food. It was considered easy to buy good and healthy food by all store managers. The question regarding the introduction of a sugar tax divided the store managers, 4 of them were positive to taxation, while 3 of them were more hesitant about its effects. The conclusion of this study is that store managers are taking some responsibility to the public health by providing healthy alternatives. However there is much more they can do to reduce sugar consumption among the population, thus contributing to an important public health work.