Understanding Apple Attribute Preferences of US Consumers
Apple preferences of US consumers are widely explored. However, the key factors that drive the importance that US consumers place on apple attributes are rather unexplored. To fill this literature gap, an online survey with 383 US apple buyers was conducted. A two-step analysis consisting of descrip...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Foods |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/11/2/166 |
| _version_ | 1797494119358005248 |
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| author | Rombach Meike David L. Dean Tim Baird |
| author_facet | Rombach Meike David L. Dean Tim Baird |
| author_sort | Rombach Meike |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Apple preferences of US consumers are widely explored. However, the key factors that drive the importance that US consumers place on apple attributes are rather unexplored. To fill this literature gap, an online survey with 383 US apple buyers was conducted. A two-step analysis consisting of descriptive statistics and partial least squares structural equation modelling indicates that subjective knowledge was the most important factor, determining both the discernment of buyers and attitudes towards US fruit growers. Objective knowledge and sociodemographic factors, other than education, were not found to have any impact. The discernment of a buyer and their ability to distinguish apple varieties had the greatest impact on the importance that US consumers placed on physical and commercial product attributes. It was also found that attitudes towards growers impacted on the importance which consumers place on both types of attributes. Given that consumer attitudes were shown to be a strong driver of their buying preferences, growers and grower associations should also consider highlighting the positive health and societal benefits that their products provide. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T01:29:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-79ef1634532347d3ae4e9b0030540b5a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2304-8158 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T01:29:44Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Foods |
| spelling | doaj.art-79ef1634532347d3ae4e9b0030540b5a2023-11-23T13:44:46ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582022-01-0111216610.3390/foods11020166Understanding Apple Attribute Preferences of US ConsumersRombach Meike0David L. Dean1Tim Baird2Department of Land Management and Systems, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New ZealandDepartment of Agribusiness and Markets, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New ZealandDepartment of Agribusiness and Markets, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New ZealandApple preferences of US consumers are widely explored. However, the key factors that drive the importance that US consumers place on apple attributes are rather unexplored. To fill this literature gap, an online survey with 383 US apple buyers was conducted. A two-step analysis consisting of descriptive statistics and partial least squares structural equation modelling indicates that subjective knowledge was the most important factor, determining both the discernment of buyers and attitudes towards US fruit growers. Objective knowledge and sociodemographic factors, other than education, were not found to have any impact. The discernment of a buyer and their ability to distinguish apple varieties had the greatest impact on the importance that US consumers placed on physical and commercial product attributes. It was also found that attitudes towards growers impacted on the importance which consumers place on both types of attributes. Given that consumer attitudes were shown to be a strong driver of their buying preferences, growers and grower associations should also consider highlighting the positive health and societal benefits that their products provide.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/11/2/166apple varietiesattitudesknowledgeUS consumers |
| spellingShingle | Rombach Meike David L. Dean Tim Baird Understanding Apple Attribute Preferences of US Consumers Foods apple varieties attitudes knowledge US consumers |
| title | Understanding Apple Attribute Preferences of US Consumers |
| title_full | Understanding Apple Attribute Preferences of US Consumers |
| title_fullStr | Understanding Apple Attribute Preferences of US Consumers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding Apple Attribute Preferences of US Consumers |
| title_short | Understanding Apple Attribute Preferences of US Consumers |
| title_sort | understanding apple attribute preferences of us consumers |
| topic | apple varieties attitudes knowledge US consumers |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/11/2/166 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rombachmeike understandingappleattributepreferencesofusconsumers AT davidldean understandingappleattributepreferencesofusconsumers AT timbaird understandingappleattributepreferencesofusconsumers |