EcoQualify III: Implementation of a Quality Assurance System for training in organic food retail

LEONARDO DA VINCI
Transfer of innovation project
2010-1-GR1-LEO05-03967
Questionnaire for
Retailers and Stakeholders of organic products
Preamble
This questionnaire is developed under the project European Quality Assurance System "E(co)-Qualify"
project that focuses on the training and education of managers and employees in the retailing of
organic products.
The (partner PP) is in process of developing a Quality Assurance System for training in organic food
retail. The organic market is growing year by year. For successful expansion of the organic food
retailing sector the quality of marketing is as important as the quality of the products. Also, the
competence of people selling organic products in food retail (staff & management) is significant. Thus,
for sustainable development of the organic food retail market the qualifications of the managers and
employees are getting increasingly vital.
The companies involved in selling organic products are more and more demanding qualified personnel
so the quality of the selling person is becoming of major importance.
As a retailer of organic products, we ask your assistance in identifying whether your needs in training
that will be provided based on the Quality Handbook developed within the project. Your responses will
be the basis for fine tuning of courses content. The final goal it is the development of the most
effective tool for business development

Personal information
1. Name of the interviewee: _________________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________ Country: _______________
Phone: ________________________________________ Email: _________________________
Age: _____________
2. Please, indicate the status of the interviewee:
Owner, Manager, Employee; Other (Specify): ______________
3. How many year experience in organic retailing? ____________

Background information
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

Store location: ___________

Year store opened ______________________
Number of certified products: ____________
Current number of employees: _________
Retail square meters:________
Year of certified organic: _______
Name of the certification body: ____________________
Please indicate the type of the retail store and where it is located:

Hypermarket /Billa, Metro, Carrefour, Kaufland, etc

Open Market

Independent supermarket

Supermarket chain

Independent health/natural product store

Natural products supermarket chain

Natural products cooperative

Organic food shop

Supermarket

Other (Specify):

Educational background
12. Please indicate what studies you have:
Primary Education
Secondary Education
Technical College
Vocational Training
University
Specialized Courses
Other (Specify): _____________
13. Do you have education or training related to organic retailing?
Yes
No
14. Which kind of training did you attend up to now to become competent in organic retailing?
15. If you have had some form of training, please indicate when:
Less than a year ago
Two years ago
Three years ago
More than three years ago
16. Do you consider it important for your business development, marketing and retailing to receive
additional training courses?
Yes
No
17. What level of training is your company demanding?
Top management
Mid level management
Basic / execution level
Other:
18. Determine , in a scale from 1 to 5 the following topics regarding to the training topics you think,
your is in demand forx (Where 1 = Strongly Disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Hard to say, 4 = Agree, 5
= Strongly Agree)
1

Basic qualification in organic retailing

Retail management
Business management
Product knowledge
For production please specify the kind of products, name them in the priority order):
_______________________________________________________________

19. Which topics do you think are most essential for your business and staffs competence? Check
relevant boxes
Basic qualification in organic retailing
Products - Total Assortment Organic Food Shop,
Business competencies,
Sales Management,
Marketing - Management
Business management
Qualification standards at the management level level (as stated in the Quality
Handbook)
Specific product know - how (name them in the priority order)
.

Questionnaire for retailers of organic products

20. Please evaluate the next topics from the QUALITY HANDBOOK regarding to their importance to
be provided (Where 1 = Strongly Disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Hard to say, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly
Agree)
1

Basic Knowledge organic trade

Organic Agriculture
Fair Trade
Hygiene and Safety
Care for Goods
Good Storage
Communication Skills
Computing, Technology Knowledge
Environmental Protection
Standardization, Processing, Packaging and Transportation
Nutrition Science
Organic food production
21. Please name other topics that are not covered by the QUALITY HANDBOOK and are needed by
your business, e.g. country-specific topics:

22. Do you or your staff attend training in topics related to your shop and your assortment?
Yes
No
23. How do you train or which form of training do you offer to your staff and by whom?
...............................................................................................................
.
24. Would you be interested in E-learning offers for you and your staff?
Yes
No
25. Please evaluate the next topics regarding to their necessity for your business development:
(Where 1 = Strongly Disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Hard to say, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly Agree)
1

Potatoes Vegetables and Fruit

Bread and Bakery Products
Dairy Products
Milk, dairy products
Organic egg
Soya products
Cereals and cereal products
Dry fruit
Seeds for sprouting and sprouts
Oil, fat and nuts
Honey and honey products
Spreadable and spicing products
Beverages
Stimulants (sweets, coffee, tea, and cocoa)
Baby food
Cosmetic Products
GMO-derived products
Meat Products
Frozen products

Questionnaire for retailers of organic products

Delicatessen
Semifinished products
Herbs and medicaments
Fish
Essential oils
Detergents and washing agents
Snack
Household utensils and cereal grinders
26. Can you imagine becoming a trainer in organic retailing?
Yes
No,
Maybe
If yes, please evaluate the next topics regarding to your interest in to provide: (Where 1 = Strongly
Disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Hard to say, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly Agree)
1

Basic Knowledge organic trade

Organic Agriculture
Fair Trade
Hygiene and Safety
Care for Goods
Good Storage
Communication Skills
Computing, Technology Knowledge
Environmental Protection
Standardization, Processing, Packaging and Transportation
Nutrition Science
Organic food production
Individual product knowledge
27. If you are interested in organic retailing training, what type of training tools you prefer?
(Where 1 = Strongly Disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Hard to say, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly Agree)

Face to face training courses

On-the-job training
Short seminars
Information sessions
e-learning training
Printed materials (handbooks, referent materials, etc.).
Other (Please, specify): _______________
Any other comments you wish to make:

End of questions. Thank you!

Questionnaire for retailers of organic products