A Case Study of Food Dating in Selected Chicago Supermarkets (Classic Reprint)

A Case Study of Food Dating in Selected Chicago Supermarkets (Classic Reprint)

This book presents the results of a study commissioned by the United States Department of Agriculture to examine the effects of open dating on food products, notably a freshness code program initiated in 1970 by a major Chicago grocery chain. At the time of the study, this chain had marked over 150 of its private-label products with clear, readable expiration dates and made a codebook available in each of their stores to assist shoppers in interpreting codes on non-company products. Interviews with customers and management, along with in-store data collection, revealed that this open dating program had several benefits. Most significantly, it gave customers greater confidence in the freshness of the products they purchased and encouraged stock rotation among store employees, helping to reduce product loss. The program was also well-received by store managers, who reported that open dates were as helpful to them as they were to their shoppers. The book concludes that open dating programs can provide numerous advantages to both consumers and retailers, and should be considered by more grocery chains.