Expert views on most suitable monetary incentives on food to stimulate healthy eating.
BACKGROUND
Pricing strategies are an important component in the marketing mix and may also be useful in stimulating healthier food choices. However, due to competing interests and feasibility problems, the introduction of pricing strategies is complicated. For successfully introducing food pricing strategies, it is essential to explore incentives that are not only promising but also realizable and being approved by different sectors.


METHODS
We aimed to assemble a list of pricing strategies by exploring expert views using the Delphi method. Subjects included experts from academia, industry, retail, agriculture, policymakers, consumers and non-governmental organizations. Data were collected in three rounds. In round one, experts designed promising pricing strategies. Based on a time-budget model incorporating Sleep, Leisure, Occupation, Transportation and Home-based activities, these strategies were in the subsequent rounds judged on several criteria. Results were analysed using median and interquartile deviations scores.


RESULTS
We found fair consensus levels among experts and a varied list of promising pricing strategies. The panel agreed on the potential success of offering small presents, providing price-cuts on healthy foods and discounting healthier foods more frequently. Also, it was found that experts gave higher rates to pricing strategies for which the implementation responsibilities could be placed elsewhere.


CONCLUSIONS
The resulted list of promising monetary incentives is an essential first step for the future design of pricing strategies. Following this study, it is important to determine how to make solid agreements on responsibility and implementation issues. Also, consumer perceptions regarding the proposed pricing strategies should be studied.
Waterlander
Wilma E
WE
Department of Health Sciences and the EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. wilma.waterlander@falw.vu.nl
Steenhuis
Ingrid H M
IH
de Vet
Emely
E
Schuit
Albertine J
AJ
Seidell
Jacob C
JC
D000328:Adult; D003132:Commerce / Q000379:methods*; D003697:Delphi Technique; D004435:Eating / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005502:Food / Q000191:economics*; D005518:Food Preferences; D058870:Food, Organic / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics; D012201:Reward; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires