Consumer Preference of Brighton & Hove Teenagers on Organic Food, Do They Really Care?

Title

Consumer preference of Brighton & Hove teenagers on organic food, do they really care?

Research Background

There have been many studies investigating the influences on consumer purchasing and consumption of organic foods. It has a Journal of the Human Environment that argues that parts of researches have frequently taken the form of asking consumers directly about their reasons for purchase or nonpurchase of organic foods rather than seeking which types of beliefs and attitudes are actually related to purchase or consumption. (Shepherd, Magnusson, & Sjödén, 2005) In recent year, other researchers have examined what beliefs and attitudes predict consumption. (Shepherd, Government office for Science, 2011) In several studies, a majority of the customers have a preference for and an interest in organic food. However, "the proportion of regular purchasers of organic food is low". (Shepherd, Magnusson, & Sjödén, 2005) So, this phenomenon showed a discrepancy between consumers' attitudes and behavior, which is most of Consumers' attitude are positively for organic foods, but not often to buy them. It seems the consumers not have a concerned the organic foods become an important purchase criterion. Since the 1920's, the organic food has first appeared in Europe. (Baourakis, 2004) Until now, even the organic foods not take big market share, but in recent years, according to the British Food Standards Agency said 'identifies the role that organic food plays in providing choice for customer.' (Food Standards Agency, 2011) Lampkin & Padel (1994, cited in Baourakis, 2004) researched that consumer demand for organic food increased rapidly, thus, the number of famers increased reasonably, this phenomenon is not only in Europe, but also is in the United States.

Problem Statement

The problem to be explored is the purchase behavior of teenagers toward organic food in Brighton & Hove. As mentioned before, the sales of organic food are increasing in UK. Nevertheless, Non-organic food still dominates in the food market. In addition, while there has some consumers who are already familiar and know with the organic food. It still has many consumers who are not yet know about them. Because of organic food produced without using any artificial chemicals, pesticides or fertilizers, which is better and fresher taste than other nonorganic foods. (Georgiou, 2002) There are different reasons why consumers tend to prefer to buy organic food. To discover the teenagers of Brighton & Hove behavior on organic food, these are some of the variables that will be taken into account when do the research, which can separate to extrinsic factors and internal factors. External factors are environment influence, like education level influence, cultural influence, and family influence. Internal factors are product attributes, which are benefits of organic food, like environmentally friendliness, good for animal welfare, taste good and personal health. These may influence consumer buying decision.

Research aims and objectives

This research aims to explore teenagers' behavior of Brighton & Hove on organic food consumption in their daily life. This research will provide richer and deeper understanding of teenagers' preference on organic foods and work to specific ages, thus the levels of education and collect the information about why they care about organic food. These research questions to be answered are:

* Do the teenagers like to buy organic food in Brighton & Hove?

* Do the teenagers choose organic food influenced by environment (i.e. education level, cultural influence or family influence) in Brighton & Hove?

* What causes the teenagers care about organic food (i.e. the environment concern, animal welfare, personal health, taste) in Brighton & Hove?

In this particular case, it becomes more interesting to be more the teenager maybe will be influence by place cultural. Because Brighton & Hove are famous resort which near the sea. Brighton and Hove is the UK's healthiest city that reason is its residents' lifestyles, such as cycling to work, do yoga practice, and eating green food according to a study for Sky Travel. (University of sussex, 2010) The intention explore is the future development of organic food in Brighton & Hove by asking questions and interview. This paper will propose use deductive way for research on specific consumer behavior on organic foods in Brighton & Hove.

Anticipated contributions

Organic food is green food, these benefits lead to the market share of food were influenced, so, this academic research discuss about purchase behavior of teenagers on organic food consumption in Brighton & Hove. Because teenager is our future, from their behavior, we can see the organic food development of Brighton & Hove in next 50 years. Until now, it has some research about customer behavior on organic food, however, since there is lack of data for specific group people, like teenager.

In this case, Kardes, Cronley, & Cline argued that one of the contributions for study consumer behavior is that educate consumers and help them to make a better decision, also can understand make products for consumers actually needed and wanted. This becomes a marketing strategy, this research proposal discovers and satisfies customer needs and wants effectively and beneficial manner, while profiting the long-term interests for business. (Kardes, Cronley, & Cline, 2011) Also this research proposal will investigate customer behavior information by primary research and secondary information, analysis the consumer's performance, which showed the market tendency and understand the rival. It can help companies can get the market share of organic food in the future.

Brief Review of Literature

Wright & Crea (2007) pointed that the UK organic food market rise approximately 10% annually with a value of 2 billion dollars, already become third largest in the world. According government statistics, the multiple supermarket retailers accounted for the major marketing share to the consumer with approximately 73 % of sales. The independent retailers and parts of farmers accounted for consumer 27 % of sales. The box schemes and internet order made up 8 percent. (dardni, 2010) Base on data, organic food is preferred by all age groups because of its health friendly benefits. These contained old people, adults and children. According to statistics, 70 % of the costumers