Exploring success factors in food waste prevention initiatives of retailers: the critical role of digital technologies

Purpose: Food waste is a severe problem affecting the supply chain due to its significant adverse social and environmental effects. Even if the topic is hotly debated in the literature, there is a lack of research about the success factors influencing food waste prevention initiatives retailers undertake. Design/methodology/approach: The research analyzes how several variables (i.e., product related variables and technology-enabling variables) might impact the success of the sales of products close to the expiration date that is sold at a discounted price. Data from 390.000 products sold at a discounted price in 2020 and 2021 by a large Italian food retailer were examined with a regression analysis. Findings: The results highlight that both product-related and technology-enabling variables influence the success of food prevention initiatives aimed at selling products close to the expiration date at a discounted price. In particular, we stress the importance of digital technologies in supporting food waste prevention initiatives. Originality: The paper is focused on the retailer perspective, which is barely investigated due to the difficulty in finding data. Practical implications: The study offers several practical implications for managers in structuring a waste prevention initiative. The introduction of digital technologies, the monitoring of specific variables, or the ability to find synergies with other food waste prevention initiatives are discussed to support retailers in reducing food losses.