Retailers towards zero-waste: a walkthrough survey in Italy

Approximately 1/3 of the food produced for consumption is lost/wasted globally being discarded by retail shops and households. Reducing food losses can thus make a significant contribution to ensuring global food supply. The purpose of this paper is to analyze how the Italy’s top ten food retailers try to promote sustainable consumptions within stores. Some simple “walk through/visual observation and information collection” surveys conducted within the largest store operated by each of the best food retailers within a province in South Italy provided the empirical materials. Then, conclusions suggest how paths direct to sustainable consumptions should be inserted into the large food retailers’ business models. Defining a bio-business model can move peoples towards zero-waste.