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The Practice of Shopping Discounted Near-Expiry Food in Retail Stores Across Sweden

Agostinho Simão, Matilde LU and Pasaribu, Mary Thalia Travelita LU (2026) SMMP40 20261
Department of Service Studies
Abstract
Grocery shopping is an essential and regular part of everyday life, and retail stores across Sweden have sought to reduce the risk of near‑expiry food becoming waste by selling these products at discounted prices. Discounted near‑expiry food is particularly interesting because it is often perceived as risky, yet also offers consumers a way to shop more ethically by saving food and money. While previous research has examined what motivates consumers to buy such products, less attention has been paid to the practice of shopping for them in the store. This master’s thesis explores the practice of shopping for discounted near-expiry food in retail stores across Sweden, focusing on the in-store shopping environment, consumers’ knowledge and... (More)
Grocery shopping is an essential and regular part of everyday life, and retail stores across Sweden have sought to reduce the risk of near‑expiry food becoming waste by selling these products at discounted prices. Discounted near‑expiry food is particularly interesting because it is often perceived as risky, yet also offers consumers a way to shop more ethically by saving food and money. While previous research has examined what motivates consumers to buy such products, less attention has been paid to the practice of shopping for them in the store. This master’s thesis explores the practice of shopping for discounted near-expiry food in retail stores across Sweden, focusing on the in-store shopping environment, consumers’ knowledge and skills, and the meanings and values involved. Using a qualitative approach, the research is based primarily on 19 semi-structured interviews, complemented by in-store observations and virtual ethnography. The analysis is grounded in practice theory as developed by Shove et al. (2012), Reckwitz (2002) and Warde (2005). It also draws on Warde (2014) processual understanding of consumption and Gregson et al. (2002) perspective on shopping as a spatial practice. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Agostinho Simão, Matilde LU and Pasaribu, Mary Thalia Travelita LU
supervisor
organization
course
SMMP40 20261
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Near-expiry food, Sweden, Shopping, Practice theory
language
English
id
9235321
date added to LUP
2026-06-12 09:11:48
date last changed
2026-06-12 09:11:48
@misc{9235321,
  abstract     = {{Grocery shopping is an essential and regular part of everyday life, and retail stores across Sweden have sought to reduce the risk of near‑expiry food becoming waste by selling these products at discounted prices. Discounted near‑expiry food is particularly interesting because it is often perceived as risky, yet also offers consumers a way to shop more ethically by saving food and money. While previous research has examined what motivates consumers to buy such products, less attention has been paid to the practice of shopping for them in the store. This master’s thesis explores the practice of shopping for discounted near-expiry food in retail stores across Sweden, focusing on the in-store shopping environment, consumers’ knowledge and skills, and the meanings and values involved. Using a qualitative approach, the research is based primarily on 19 semi-structured interviews, complemented by in-store observations and virtual ethnography. The analysis is grounded in practice theory as developed by Shove et al. (2012), Reckwitz (2002) and Warde (2005). It also draws on Warde (2014) processual understanding of consumption and Gregson et al. (2002) perspective on shopping as a spatial practice.}},
  author       = {{Agostinho Simão, Matilde and Pasaribu, Mary Thalia Travelita}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The Practice of Shopping Discounted Near-Expiry Food in Retail Stores Across Sweden}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}