Consumer Preferences for Local and Sustainable Plant Production Characteristics Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Some consumers are becoming more interested in and purchasing products that are locally grown and/or ecologically friendly. Market segmentation and product targeting are efficient methods to allocate a firms scarce marketing resources to supply heterogeneous markets. This studys objective was to identify consumer segments, focusing on their gardening purchases, to determine whether there were differences in consumer preferences for provenance and environmental attributes for transplant purchases. Using a consumer survey of U.S. and Canadian consumers, we found that participants who purchased different plant types had distinct preferences for varying environmental attributes and provenances. We profiled nine consumer segments, identifying their plant purchases and preferences for local and sustainably grown products and plant containers. Results provide plant producers and retailers with market segments that can be identified and targeted and provide a basis for customizable marketing communications to enhance profits.

published proceedings

  • HORTSCIENCE

author list (cited authors)

  • Behe, B. K., Campbell, B. L., Hall, C. R., Khachatryan, H., Dennis, J. H., & Yue, C.

citation count

  • 46

complete list of authors

  • Behe, Bridget K||Campbell, Benjamin L||Hall, Charles R||Khachatryan, Hayk||Dennis, Jennifer H||Yue, Chengyan

publication date

  • February 2013