Consumer food choice: Factors, current state and expected changes

Abstract

Consumer food choice is based on many factors. As income-related restrictions decrease, the range of factors ceases to be limited only by price factors and is complemented by a number of non-price factors. The article provides a critical literature review of internal and external factors affecting consumer choice, including the proposed transformation of the composition and priority of factors in an economic recession and pandemic. As a result, authors obtain classification with factors considered in terms of declared, behavioral and physiological types of information. The allocation of various information types allows to focus on factors that require additional research using different methods of information collection. Specific factors that influence the food choice among youth, which are necessary for the formation and adjustment of food habits during adulthood, are considered separately. The authors propose a starting point for a comparative analysis of the factors influencing the consumers food choice, particularly in case of rapid environmental changes. In the article, a new research agenda, requires additional discussion and attention, is proposed and structured. The results could be useful for brand manufacturers and retailers developing their marketing strategies, as well as for adjusting government restrictions on the consumption of unhealthy and stimulating healthy foods.