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Text vs. logo: Does eco-label format influence consumers’ visual attention and willingness-to-pay for fruit plants? An experimental auction approach

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  • Rihn, Alicia
  • Wei, Xuan
  • Khachatryan, Hayk

Abstract

Eco-labels identify products that are produced in an environmentally friendly way. They utilize many formats combining graphics/logos and text to attract environmentally conscious consumers. Different eco-label formats may vary in their effectiveness in influencing consumers’ preferences for products. This manuscript explores the relationship between eco-labels’ format and consumer preferences, willingness-to-pay, and visual attention. Participants’ visual attention was recorded while they submitted bids in an experimental auction for fruit-producing plants with three different eco-labels (i.e. industry-specific, Non-GMO, and heirloom) presented as either text or using a logo. Results from random effects Tobit models indicate that eco-label format does influence consumers’ visual attention and product valuation. Logos capture relatively more visual attention than text eco-labels. Furthermore, additional visual attention to the logos increases respondents’ bids, while visual attention to the text decreases their bids. Implications for relevant industry stakeholders are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Rihn, Alicia & Wei, Xuan & Khachatryan, Hayk, 2019. "Text vs. logo: Does eco-label format influence consumers’ visual attention and willingness-to-pay for fruit plants? An experimental auction approach," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:soceco:v:82:y:2019:i:c:s2214804319300199
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socec.2019.101452
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    7. Van Asselt, Joanna & Nian, Yefan & Soh, Moonwon & Gao, Zhifeng & Morgan, Stephen N, 2020. "Do Plastic Warning Labels Reduce Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Plastic Packaging?," 2020 Annual Meeting, July 26-28, Kansas City, Missouri 304503, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
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