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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #167128
Title: EFFECTS OF PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS ON VENDING SALES OF LOW-FAT ITEMS IN TEACHERS' LOUNGES.

Author
item FISKE, AMY - BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MED
item Cullen, Karen

Submitted to: Journal Of The American Dietetic Association
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/2003
Publication Date: 1/1/2004
Citation: Fiske, A., Cullen, K. 2004. Effects of promotional materials on vending sales of low-fat items in teachers' lounges. Journal Of The American Dietetic Association. 104(1):90-93.

Interpretive Summary: The focus of this study was to examine the impact of using promotional materials and increased availability of low-fat items on vending machine sales. Ten vending machines were selected and randomly assigned to one of three conditions: control, or one of two experimental conditions. The number of individual items sold and the total revenue generated was recorded weekly for each machine for 4 weeks. Use of promotional materials resulted in a small, but not significant, increase in the number of low-fat items sold, although machine sales were not significantly impacted by the change in product selection. In conclusion, the study results, although not statistically significant, suggest that environmental change may be a realistic means of positively influencing consumer behavior.

Technical Abstract: This study examined the impact of an environmental intervention in the form of promotional materials and increased availability of low-fat items on vending machine sales. Ten vending machines were selected and randomly assigned to one of three conditions: control, or one of two experimental conditions. Vending machines in the two intervention conditions received three additional low-fat selections. Low-fat items were promoted at two levels: labels (intervention I), and labels plus signs (intervention II). The number of individual items sold and the total revenue generated was recorded weekly for each machine for 4 weeks. Use of promotional materials resulted in a small, but not significant, increase in the number of low-fat items sold, although machine sales were not significantly impacted by the change in product selection. Results of this study, although not statistically significant, suggest that environmental change may be a realistic means of positively influencing consumer behavior.