Analysis for Growth Potential in Response to Changes in the Online Food Market

Jonghwa Kim
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Jonghwa Kim: Department of Economy & Industry Research, ChungNam Institute, 73-26 Yeonsuwon-gil, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do 32589, Korea

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 11, 1-20

Abstract: This study examines changes in the online food market in South Korea, identifies this market’s potential for sustainable growth, and analyzes the causal relationships between media channels (mobile and PC-based devices) and product groups (fresh food, processed food, and food service). Whereas prior research has mainly focused on PC-based online shopping, this study analyzes the market for different media and product groups using Statistics Korea’s monthly time series data and the vector error correction model. The results reveal that PC-based online shopping has a long-term equilibrium relationship with mobile shopping in the online food market. However, in the short term, the mobile fresh food and food service transaction amounts are in a feedback relationship, while mobile processed food transaction amounts have a negative effect on other variables. In turn, PC-based online shopping has a positive effect on mobile shopping. In addition, consumer preference is shifting from PC-based devices to mobile devices, and demand is expanding from processed food to fresh food and food service. The results imply that marketers should both prepare for the emergence of new media and expand their product groups—their focus should be on expanding services rather than goods. In conclusion, for the sustainable growth of the online food market, it is essential for the market participants to cope actively with the new environment surrounding the online food market, and enhance their sustainability to minimize the negative effects from technological advances as consumer preference is continuously changing and information technology and online media continue to develop.

Keywords: mobile and PC-based online shopping; use media and food service; vector error correction model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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