How Relationship Marketing can Improve the Value Proposition and Increase the Sales of Organic Food : A Single Case Study Exploring How Different Actors in the Food Industry Can Implement Marketing Strategies

Abstract: In recent years, organic food sales in Sweden have experienced a decrease in sales, opening up new challenges and opportunities for various actors within the food industry. The Swedish food industry works extensively with sustainability and aims to foster a sustainable food system. Organic food is only one part of a sustainable food system and a means for actors within the industry to contribute to sustainable development since organic food slows down biodiversity loss, which is one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This can be done by actors in the industry increasing their organic sales and improving the value proposition of organic food amongst stakeholders in order to make a change and hinder a further decrease in sales. To do this, grocery retailers and supermarkets have a significant role. However, effective marketing strategies for promoting organic sales are uncommon within the industry. In light of this, this study is investigating strategies to enhance organic food's value proposition and increase sales, focusing on the perspectives of supermarket managers and grocery retailers. The theoretical lens of this study is based on theories within relationship marketing, and two specific frameworks are applied in the thesis. The research method involved a case study with an iterative research process and an exploratory purpose utilizing qualitative methods for data collection and data analysis. The findings highlight several key factors influencing organic food sales: emphasizing the importance of aligning with supermarket managers' values, setting clear targets for organic food sales, and developing marketing plans for all key stakeholders. Furthermore, this study contributes to the theory by providing novel insights into relationship marketing research.