1st September 1999

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More than 150 UK and International consumer affairs experts are heading for Belfast this week to take part in the 19th International Consumers Studies Conference organised by the University of Ulster in association with Tesco plc.

Scheduled for Belfast's Waterfront Hall on Friday and Saturday, the conference will hear academic and business experts analyse the latest trends in consumer behaviour, from food choices to shopping trends.

Friday's opening session will hear Professor Tim Lang analyse whose is the responsibility for food education: Helena de Klerk will look at the way women shop for clothes, while Tesco Marketing Director Richard Brasher discusses the latest business issues and innovations in the field of consumer loyalty.

On Saturday, speakers look at themes as diverse as global branding (Alan Mitchell), the eating habits of primary school children (Anna Lewis) the effects of teenagers' increasing propensity to turn vegetarian (Lynne Burgess), and how we interact with our domestic appliances (Jean Bramfit).*

Christine Cross, who is Global Non-Food Sourcing Director for Tesco plc, and Visiting Professor in Consumer Studies at the University of Ulster, said:

"Many things have shaped the retail scene as we know it today - a prevalence of cars, shopping centres, flexible working hours, and new names in the market place have all contributed to our changing shopping habits.

That is why Tesco is so pleased to be supporting this conference dealing solely with consumer issues. It is vital that we not only match but anticipate the needs of our customers, whatever our product or service, if we are to fulfil the old adage - the customer is king."

Dr Chris Strugnell, conference organiser, added: "It is the first time this prestigious international conference has been held in Belfast. Our aim is to encourage research and discussion into consumer issues, and we're sure that, with the superb roster of top international academics and business executives scheduled to appear, that the research presented at this conference will set the consumer agenda for a long time to come.

"I also welcome the support we have received from Tesco and our other kind sponsors, without whose help and expertise the conference could not have been mounted in its present form."

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk