In Search of a Theory of Shopping Value: The Case of Rural Consumers

Although the challenges facing rural retailers have been attributed to competition and decreasing population, this paper defines the problem from rural consumers' perspective. It argues that consumers select shopping location on its shopping value, determined by its attractiveness and accessibility. The results indicate that locations closest to the consumer's residence offer the highest shopping value for groceries and other low-order goods. They also show that increasing gasoline prices favor local retailers. Rural retailers may use these results to implement differentiating strategies that increase their attractiveness, accessibility, and consequently their competitiveness.     

Post-market surveillance model for potential human health effects of novel foods

This paper presents a post-market surveillance model for evaluating the potential human health effects of novel foods. It examines the characteristics of current protocols – substantial equivalence and precautionary principle – and argues that post-market surveillance complements the former and provides a sensible rationale for the latter. The paper posits that given the direct consumer claims associated with emerging novel foods, a post-market surveillance system may help policy makers maximize the net benefits of these products given desired health status objectives.