The Impact of Retail Promotion Activities on Household Food Waste: An Empirical Study Based on Taiwanese Households


International Research Journal of Economics and Management Studies
© 2025 by IRJEMS
Volume 4  Issue 6
Year of Publication : 2025
Authors : Nan-Yu Wang, Zhi-Yun Lu
irjems doi : 10.56472/25835238/IRJEMS-V4I6P130

Citation:

Nan-Yu Wang, Zhi-Yun Lu. "The Impact of Retail Promotion Activities on Household Food Waste: An Empirical Study Based on Taiwanese Households" International Research Journal of Economics and Management Studies, Vol. 4, No. 6, pp. 249-256, 2025.

Abstract:

This study provides the first empirical evidence of the relationship between retailer promotion strategies and household food waste in Taiwan. Data were collected from household shopping receipts and Tsalis et al. (2024) ’s food waste questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, contingency table analysis, and multiple regression analysis were employed to test the following hypotheses: (1) whether ingredient price promotions influence household purchasing behavior, (2) whether frugal consumption psychology reduces waste, (3) whether larger households are more prone to waste due to higher demand, and (4) whether environmental consciousness enhances food resource utilization. The findings reveal that while price promotions stimulate short-term consumption, they may also lead to over-purchasing and waste, supporting the dual nature of price sensitivity theory. Frugality and environmental consciousness significantly reduce waste, aligning with the Theory of Planned Behavior and Sustainable Consumption Theory. Larger households, driven by higher demand, are more susceptible to waste if not managed effectively. The study provides critical insights for retailers and policymakers, offering strategies such as dynamic pricing, behavioural interventions, and community resource-sharing mechanisms to mitigate food waste.

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Keywords:

Food Waste, Consumer Purchasing Behavior, Frugality, Environmental Consciousness, Multiple Regression Analysis.