Call for Papers

We are delighted to invite submissions for the Society for Food Marketing and Retailing (SFMR) Conference, a premier academic forum for advancing research in marketing and retailing within the dynamic food and beverage sector.

This inaugural conference creates a unique and timely global platform that brings together marketing and retailing scholars, students, and industry professionals to engage in rich interdisciplinary dialogue. In an era where food consumption, branding, and retail experiences are being reshaped by technology, sustainability imperatives, and shifting consumer expectations, the SFMR Conference aims to spotlight impactful research and foster collaboration across academia and industry.

The conference is designed to:

Advance rigorous academic research that addresses contemporary issues in food marketing and retailing
Bridge academic and industry perspectives, encouraging dialogue and knowledge exchange
Offer global insights into evolving consumer trends, technologies, and retail strategies

We welcome theoretical, empirical, and conceptual papers that explore emerging and enduring themes in food marketing and retailing. Topics of interest include—but are not limited to—the following conference tracks:

Conference Tracks

Track 1: Consumer Behavior, Strategic Marketing, and Advertising in Food and Beverage

(e.g., decision-making, persuasion, advertising strategies, branding, packaging, labeling, positioning, integrated marketing communications)

Track Chairs:

Lamberto Zollo (University of Milan)

Sukki Yoon (Bryant University)

Track 3: AI, Robotics, and Digital Transformation in Food Marketing

(e.g., big data analytics, automation, predictive modeling, smart technologies, technology-enabled personalization)

Track Chairs:

Chung Han Kang (The University of Hong Kong )

Mark Yi-Cheon Lim (UMASS Lowell)

Track 5: Wellness, Sustainability, and Ethics in Food Consumption and Marketing

(e.g., eco-labeling, sustainable sourcing, plant-based trends, food waste reduction, ethical branding, health-focused marketing)

Track Chairs:

Junghoon Moon (Seoul National University)

Shelly Rathee (Villanova University)

Track 7: Sensory, Behavioral, and Biometric Insights in Food Perception and Choice

(e.g., sensory testing, eye-tracking, taste panels, neuroscientific methods, physiological response measurement, shopper behavior)

Track Chairs:

Tobias Langner (University of Wuppertal)

Lan Xia (Bentley University)

Track 2: Food Retail and Foodservice, and Supply Chain Innovation

(e.g., omni-channel retailing, restaurant marketing, in-store experience, online grocery, last-mile delivery, supply chain advancements)

Track Chairs:

Virginia Vannucci (University of Pisa)

Michael Gravier (Bryant University)

Track 4: Social Media, Influencer Marketing, and Digital Engagement

(e.g., user-generated content, influencer strategies, brand storytelling, virtual influencers, community engagement)

Track Chairs:

Francesca Negri (Catholic University of the Sacred Heart-Milan)

Sharmin Attaran (Bryant University)

Duygu Akdevelioglu (Roger Williams University)

Track 6: Cross-Cultural, Global, Policy, and Regulatory Perspectives in the Food Industry

(e.g., international consumer behavior, cultural influences, globalization vs. localization, food labeling regulations, advertising standards, public policy)

Track Chairs:

Jong Woo Choi (Seoul National University)

Srdan Zdravkovic (Bryant University)