Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
University of Virginia: Q&A - What Do Young People Need to Know About Colorectal Cancer?
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, Feb. 7 (TNSjou) -- The University of Virginia issued the following Q&A on Feb. 6, 2026, by Zeina Mohammed with Li Li, chair of the Department of Family Medicine and co-director of the Cancer Prevention and Population Health Program at UVA Cancer Center:
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Q&A: What do young people need to know about colorectal cancer?
A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer deaths in people under 50, and is the only condition in the top five to show a steady rise in mortality in the past two decades.
Dr.
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, Feb. 7 (TNSjou) -- The University of Virginia issued the following Q&A on Feb. 6, 2026, by Zeina Mohammed with Li Li, chair of the Department of Family Medicine and co-director of the Cancer Prevention and Population Health Program at UVA Cancer Center:
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Q&A: What do young people need to know about colorectal cancer?
A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer deaths in people under 50, and is the only condition in the top five to show a steady rise in mortality in the past two decades.
Dr.Li Li, who chairs the University of Virginia Department of Family Medicine and co-directs the Cancer Prevention and Population Health program at UVA Cancer Center, leads studies exploring how the complex interplay of genetic, lifestyle and community factors drives colorectal cancer disparities.
He spoke with UVA Today about what is important for the public and medical providers to know, given the new research.
Q. What is important to know about the rise in colorectal cancer in people under 50?
A. We call colorectal cancer diagnosed in people under age 50 "early-onset CRC." It has been extensively documented that the incidence of early-onset CRC continues to increase for the past two decades while the overall incidence of CRC in the general population decreases. We are now seeing young people in their 40s, 30s, even 20s getting diagnosed with CRC. Those are average-risk young adults who do not have a strong family history of CRC or a known genetic predisposition to CRC. It's alarming as this new study adds that in parallel to the increase of incidence, the death rate of early onset CRC is also steadily climbing to become the top cancer killer among younger adults
That being said, CRC is a largely preventable disease. Probably around 60% of the CRC is driven by modifiable environmental, lifestyle and societal factors. So that means actually a lot can be done to decrease the burden of CRC. The main focuses should be on prevention, early detection and treatment. According to this new study, 70% of people diagnosed at a younger age actually had advanced disease, highlighting early detection is the key to reducing death from early-onset CRC.
Q. How should the public and clinicians be responding?
A. The most important way to lower the risk of CRC is to work on healthy lifestyles: exercising regularly, eating healthy foods, maintaining healthy body weight, getting sufficient sleep. Avoiding alcohol, smoking and processed foods is also important for prevention.
Screening is crucial, especially as younger populations are starting to see higher rates. Currently in the United States, the screening recommendation for the general public from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society is to start screening at age 45. That means that, for many people, they will not be recommended for colon screening until they turn 45.
In the absence of recommended screening for those younger than 45, I encourage young adults to bring up any concerns they have about CRC to their health care providers, especially if any vague, problematic symptoms present themselves. In the context of colorectal cancer, these tend to be rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, changes in bowel movements or unintentional weight loss.
Q. What is the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening?
A. I think many people have anxiety about colonoscopies, and it's important to know that colonoscopy is not the only way for CRC screening. In effect, there is no gold standard for colon screenings. There are several different ways one can get screened, including at-home stool-based tests. Discuss with your clinician to choose the one that is best for you.
People with a strong family history should bring that up with their healthcare providers and discuss screening at an early age. For those with first- and second-degree relatives who were diagnosed of CRC, the recommendation is to begin screening 10 years younger than the age of their relatives when they were diagnosed. So, if your father got colorectal cancer at age 52, you should start screening at 42.
Q. African American communities continue to shoulder a higher burden of colorectal cancer. How do you explore this in your work?
A. The racial and rural disparities in CRC have been well-documented and are increasing.
African Americans tend to have about a 15-20% higher chance of getting CRC, compared to white people in the U.S. My team published data a few years ago showing that there is a tremendous difference in terms of the physiological aging of colon tissue in Black and white people. We found that Black people had faster aging on the right side of their colon, while white people tended to age faster on the left side. The question is why? We know there aren't sudden and large changes in the genetic backgrounds of our general populations. So we believe these differences are largely driven by the environment and lifestyle factors. We are studying some of these environmental and lifestyle factors.
Q. What can you tell me about your study in Danville?
A. We have an ongoing study in Danville that addresses rural disparities in cancer development in general, not specifically just colon cancer.
Our team is working with the local community to collect lots of data from the community residents and try to understand how environmental exposures and lifestyle factors work together with people's genetic predisposition to drive cancer health disparity in rural populations.
(The study) is funded by the UVA Precision Health Initiative and is built upon a great community partnership established by the UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center.
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Original text here: https://news.virginia.edu/content/qa-what-do-young-people-need-know-about-colorectal-cancer
University of Nebraska Omaha: Mobile Game 'Zoodemic' Turns Public Health Education Into Adventure for Teens
OMAHA, Nebraska, Feb. 7 -- The University of Nebraska Omaha Campus issued the following news:
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Mobile Game "Zoodemic" Turns Public Health Education Into Adventure for Teens
UNMC, UNO team on app that mixes facts and fun.
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The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) have launched "Zoodemic," a free mobile app that transforms public health education into a fast-paced, interactive game for middle and high school students.
Designed to meet kids where they are - on their phones - Zoodemic challenges players to survive waves of infectious
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OMAHA, Nebraska, Feb. 7 -- The University of Nebraska Omaha Campus issued the following news:
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Mobile Game "Zoodemic" Turns Public Health Education Into Adventure for Teens
UNMC, UNO team on app that mixes facts and fun.
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The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) have launched "Zoodemic," a free mobile app that transforms public health education into a fast-paced, interactive game for middle and high school students.
Designed to meet kids where they are - on their phones - Zoodemic challenges players to survive waves of infectiousdiseases, from the basics of germs to emerging threats like avian flu and measles. As players level up, they unlock real-world knowledge about hygiene, zoonotic diseases and outbreak prevention.
"We're not just teaching science - we're sparking curiosity," said Ali S. Khan, MD, MPH, dean of the UNMC College of Public Health. "Zoodemic is a fun, engaging way to help youth understand how to stay safe around animals, protect their health, and guard against emerging infectious diseases. It might even inspire the next generation of public health leaders."
Developed with students from UNO's Center for Management of IT in the UNO College of Information Science & Technology and Omaha-based tech firm NebDev, the app is built to evolve. Thanks to dynamic backend updates built by NebDev, new levels can be released in response to current outbreaks and public health needs.
According to Deepak Khazanchi, executive director of CMIT, "Zoodemic reflects how digital innovation can support public health education and readiness. CMIT and UNO students designed and developed the app to make complex public health concepts accessible and engaging for young learners. This is one example of a product built in CMIT over two decades of its existence."
"Mobile games are part of kids' daily lives," said Alexandra Todd, health policy analyst at UNMC. "So we embedded accurate, accessible health education into a format they already love."
The Nebraska Division of Public Health and Nebraska State Health Department also are on board, with grant support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists.
"Zoodemic is a unique and educational way for our community to learn about zoonotic diseases and vaccinations," said Robin Williams, Nebraska Division of Public Health.
Zoodemic is now available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
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About the University of Nebraska Medical Center
As Nebraska's only public academic health science center, the University of Nebraska Medical Center enrolls more than 4,800 students across six colleges, two institutes and a graduate studies program. Its mission is to create a healthier future for Nebraskans through premier education, research and clinical care, but its impact -- rooted in a culture of collaboration, big ideas and public-private partnerships - goes far beyond, in areas that include infectious diseases, rural health, cancer research and treatments, global health security, and simulation and experiential learning technologies.
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About the University of Nebraska at Omaha
Located in one of America's best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska's premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.
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Original text here: https://www.unomaha.edu/news/2026/02/mobile-game-zoodemic-turns-public-health-education-into-adventure-for-teens.php
USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy: PBM Markets for Medicare Part D or Medicaid Are Highly Concentrated in Nearly Every State
LOS ANGELES, California, Feb. 7 (TNSjou) -- The University of Southern California's Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics issued the following news:
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PBM Markets for Medicare Part D or Medicaid Are Highly Concentrated in Nearly Every State
Just three pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) dominate retail prescriptions in Medicare Part D and Medicaid managed care across much of the country, with markets in in nearly every state considered highly concentrated for at least one program, according to a new study from the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics.
The study, published
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LOS ANGELES, California, Feb. 7 (TNSjou) -- The University of Southern California's Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics issued the following news:
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PBM Markets for Medicare Part D or Medicaid Are Highly Concentrated in Nearly Every State
Just three pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) dominate retail prescriptions in Medicare Part D and Medicaid managed care across much of the country, with markets in in nearly every state considered highly concentrated for at least one program, according to a new study from the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics.
The study, publishedFeb. 6 in JAMA Health Forum, provides one of the most detailed examinations to date of PBM competition within states. Based on a federal antitrust index, the authors find:
* 40 states have highly concentrated PBM markets within Part D, and 37 states have highly concentrated Medicaid managed care markets.
* Both Part D and Medicaid managed care PBM markets are highly concentrated in 31 states. This includes 10 states that also have highly concentrated commercial insurance markets.
* 93% of Medicaid managed care prescriptions and 75% of all Part D prescriptions are filled in states where those PBM markets are highly concentrated.
The study comes as policymakers and regulators continue to scrutinize industry practices over concerns about how these middlemen contribute to higher drug costs, pharmacy closures and restricted patient access to medicines. The spending package passed by Congress earlier this week includes new restrictions on industry practices, and states have been increasing regulation of PBMs in recent years.
"When a few PBMs dominate a market, they hold outsized power over how much patients pay for drugs, where they can fill their prescriptions and whether their essential medications are covered," said lead author Dima Mazen Qato, a senior scholar at the Schaeffer Center and the Hygeia Centennial Chair at the USC Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
"These findings can guide federal and state policies to improve PBM accountability and transparency, particularly in Medicare Part D and Medicaid. They can also inform ongoing efforts to address PBM market concentration, including recently enacted legislation, new regulatory proposals, and federal enforcement actions focused on PBM conduct."
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About this Study
The study was co-authored by Yugen Chen and Karen Van Nuys. Please see the study for author disclosures.
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Original text here: https://schaeffer.usc.edu/research/pbm-markets-medicare-part-d-medicaid-market-concentration/
Northwest Missouri State University: Alumnus Returns to Classroom to Share Insights Related to Aluminum Industry, Strategy, Entrepreneurship
MARYVILLE, Missouri, Feb. 7 -- Northwest Missouri State University issued the following news release:
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Alumnus returns to classroom to share insights related to aluminum industry, strategy, entrepreneurship
Northwest Missouri State University students walking into Thursday's entrepreneurship and business strategy classes in Colden Hall probably didn't expect a demonstration involving Play-Doh, but that's how alumnus Brian Hesse helped them understand the process he oversees of making aluminum billets.
For all of his business success, the portrayal also helped Hesse illustrate another point
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MARYVILLE, Missouri, Feb. 7 -- Northwest Missouri State University issued the following news release:
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Alumnus returns to classroom to share insights related to aluminum industry, strategy, entrepreneurship
Northwest Missouri State University students walking into Thursday's entrepreneurship and business strategy classes in Colden Hall probably didn't expect a demonstration involving Play-Doh, but that's how alumnus Brian Hesse helped them understand the process he oversees of making aluminum billets.
For all of his business success, the portrayal also helped Hesse illustrate another point- that he's a common, simple guy who was far from a high-achieving undergraduate student at Northwest. He promptly shared with students that he earned a sub-2.0 grade-point average during his first semester at the University but - after a scolding from his father - graduated in 1995 with a 3.0 GPA and a bachelor's degree in marketing.
"I want kids to understand that I was just the most common, average student, and I want kids to realize that you don't have to be anyone special," Hesse said. "You don't have to be a 4.0 kid, and you can still have a successful life. And Northwest gave that to me."
A native of Mexico, Missouri, Hesse was active at Northwest as an assistant hall director, residential assistant and student ambassador, in addition to being a member of the American Marketing Association. After graduating, he took a sales role with steel company Ryerson Inc.
Now, with 30 years of work in the steel and aluminum industries, Hesse is the founder and chief executive officer of Perennial, an aluminum distributor in New York worth around half of a billion dollars. The aluminum billets his company delivers - as demonstrated through the wonder of Play-Doh - are manufactured as logs measuring about 6 to 20 inches in diameter and then shaped into parts for everyday products such as cars, smartphones, laptops and light fixtures.
And he is securing investments to launch a second aluminum company, Adaptiq, with plans to build a manufacturing facility in Ohio that would be the lowest carbon emissions aluminum facility in America.
With Northwest students on Thursday, Hesse offered insights into the strategies he employs - and the risks he faces - in developing his businesses.
"The cool thing is that I'm actually doing right now what you guys are learning about," Hesse told students.
He added, "Spot an opportunity, check it out, go for it. It doesn't have to be sexy. Aluminum is not sexy. Building apps, working for Google, working for AI companies, that's all what I call 'sexy.' However, aluminum has been around for hundreds of years. It's going to be around for a hundred more years."
Hesse has shared his experiences with Northwest students regularly in recent years. Additionally, last year, he completed a three-year term as a member of the Northwest Foundation Board of Directors. He and his wife, Holly, established the Brian Hesse Scholarship for Business, the Hesse Family Scholarship for Vocal Music and the Russ Northup Marketing Scholarship.
"When we can have alumni come back and share their experience, it enriches what we as faculty share," Dr. Stephen Ludwig, the chair of Northwest's Melvin D. and Valorie G. Booth School of Business, said. "We don't always get the same level of enthusiasm that an external speaker will provide, and somebody that's as excited about doing what Brian's doing is fantastic."
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Original text here: https://www.nwmissouri.edu/media/news/2026/02/06Brianhesselecture.htm
Microsoft Copilot Class at KCC April 3
KANKAKEE, Illinois, Feb. 7 -- Kankakee Community College issued the following news:
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Microsoft Copilot class at KCC April 3
Kankakee Community College is offering Microsoft Copilot in the Workplace, a practical class designed to help employees work more efficiently using artificial intelligence within Microsoft apps.
Participants will learn how to use Microsoft Copilot to draft content, analyze information, generate ideas, and automate routine tasks. The focus is on saving time and improving day-to-day productivity using tools already available in the workplace.
Attendees will leave with
... Show Full Article
KANKAKEE, Illinois, Feb. 7 -- Kankakee Community College issued the following news:
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Microsoft Copilot class at KCC April 3
Kankakee Community College is offering Microsoft Copilot in the Workplace, a practical class designed to help employees work more efficiently using artificial intelligence within Microsoft apps.
Participants will learn how to use Microsoft Copilot to draft content, analyze information, generate ideas, and automate routine tasks. The focus is on saving time and improving day-to-day productivity using tools already available in the workplace.
Attendees will leave withstrategies to complete tasks faster, streamline workflows, improve accuracy and consistency, and use AI to support everyday work.
The class meets Friday, April 3 from 1-2:30 p.m. at KCC's Riverfront Campus, 100 College Drive in Kankakee, Room D122. The class does not award college credit.
The cost is $40. To register, visit www.kcc.edu/comejoinus, sign up or login, then find and select the course. Click on the date and add it to your cart. In the cart, add yourself as an attendee and checkout. To register by phone, or for more information, phone 815-802-8206.
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Original text here: https://news.kcc.edu/2026/02/06/microsoft-copilot-class-at-kcc-april-3.html
Lander Establishes Curtis G. Shaw Pre-Law Society to Honor Public Service, Leadership
GREENWOOD, South Carolina, Feb. 7 -- Lander University issued the following news:
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Lander Establishes Curtis G. Shaw Pre-Law Society to Honor Public Service, Leadership
Karen Petit
Lander University has formally established the Curtis G. Shaw Pre-Law Society, honoring the late Greenwood native and distinguished jurist whose career exemplified public service, integrity and a lifelong commitment to the law.
The society's inaugural event featured South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice John W. Kittredge as the keynote speaker, who reflected on his longtime friendship with Shaw and credited
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GREENWOOD, South Carolina, Feb. 7 -- Lander University issued the following news:
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Lander Establishes Curtis G. Shaw Pre-Law Society to Honor Public Service, Leadership
Karen Petit
Lander University has formally established the Curtis G. Shaw Pre-Law Society, honoring the late Greenwood native and distinguished jurist whose career exemplified public service, integrity and a lifelong commitment to the law.
The society's inaugural event featured South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice John W. Kittredge as the keynote speaker, who reflected on his longtime friendship with Shaw and creditedhim as an influential mentor in both his personal and professional life.
Kittredge spoke not only about the path to his career in law but also talked about the character required by members of the legal profession to sustain it. He shared personal stories from his decades-long friendship with Shaw, describing him as a steady presence and trusted mentor whose counsel extended far beyond the courtroom.
"I never planned to be a lawyer," said Kittredge, noting that he wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement. "I was encouraged to go to law school and as a result I continued on in a legal career."
Kittredge said that in his practice as a young lawyer he often found himself in Shaw's courtroom. "I greatly admired him for his civility and kindness," he said.
Then, when Kittredge was elected to serve on the South Carolina Family Court bench in 1991, he said he went to Shaw for advice. "We became great friends, and I had dinner with him and his wife, June, on many occasions. Judge Shaw was committed to fairness and justice, and he had a tremendous influence on all who knew him."
For Kittredge, Shaw remained a close friend through his service on the South Carolina Court of Appeals and then as an associate justice to the South Carolina Supreme Court.
A Commitment to Public Service
Kittredge said his own life in public service was not something he planned from the outset, but he discovered a calling through his work as a lawyer. "The desire to commit yourself to a life of public service is either in your DNA, or it's not. And although it was not something that I had in my youth, circumstances occurred ... doors were opened for me, and I realized that this is what I was supposed to do," he said.
The program at Lander's Abney Cultural Center Auditorium was attended by members of the state's legal profession and the South Carolina General Assembly, including South Carolina Rep. John McCravy, Shaw's son-in-law, and Sen. Billy Garrett, a Lander alumnus and lawyer, as well as Lander students, faculty and staff, and the Greenwood community.
Dr. Lucas McMillan, dean of Lander's College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, said, "Tonight is about honoring public service. We see this in the impactful life of Judge Curtis G. Shaw - a devoted citizen who was of service to his city, our state and our nation. We thank members of the Shaw and McCravy families for the gift of Judge Shaw."
He added, "And then there is Chief Justice Kittredge: a distinguished jurist on our state's highest court but - perhaps most important from my perspective - a dedicated public servant on our state's courts for 35 years."
The importance of the pre-law society, McCravy said, is the introduction that Lander students will have to the law profession and the opportunity to learn from the state's leaders who embody a commitment to public service and a desire to shape the profession with dignity and humility.
"Curtis G. Shaw gave me the vision to go to law school, and that is what I want to pass on," he said.
A Society Recognizing Legal Leadership
Establishing the pre-law society represents a meaningful investment in Lander's future because it reinforces the University's mission to educate ethical leaders and support students with aspirations in law and public service. It also positions Lander as a growing contributor to the region's legal and civic landscape.
This is "a special day in the life of Lander University as we work to enhance the preparation we provide our students," McMillan said. "The society's work will build upon mentorship by faculty and the internships provided in law firms and in courts by members of the Greenwood Bar and other lawyers in our area."
While it is common for colleges and universities to have pre-law societies, the naming of the society underscores the University's desire to recognize Shaw's impact on the law and the community. "This society will give our pre-law students a role model whose career reflects ethical leadership and public service," McMillan said.
An Impact Beyond the Classroom
Garrett, who came to Lander in the 1970s to study political science, said the pre-law society is a gift to students who are interested in legal careers. "I wanted to be a lawyer when I began studying at Lander," said Garrett, who juggled a full-time job at the local Piggly Wiggly store as a student.
"I didn't even know a lawyer or what being a lawyer might be like, so having a pre-law society for Lander students is exciting to me," he said. "Lander will be able to prepare students for meaningful careers in the legal profession while strengthening access to legal education and mentorship across the region."
Lander student Ronnie Hipp, a sophomore from Lexington, hopes for a career in law and is a member of the pre-law society. "This is an opportunity to learn in an environment that specifically is designed for students interested in law and to take advantage of connections with those who are practicing law. This is going to be a great benefit to me and other students as we plan our careers."
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Original text here: https://www.lander.edu/news/2026/02/lander-establishes-curtis-g-shaw-pre-law-society-to-honor-public-service-leadership.html
Fresher Premade Meals Sell Faster, NJIT Research Finds
NEWARK, New Jersey, Feb. 7 (TNSjou) -- The New Jersey Institute of Technology issued the following news:
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Fresher Premade Meals Sell Faster, NJIT Research Finds
Written by: Mindy Weisberger
Why did the rotisserie chicken cross the aisle -- and end up in your shopping cart? Maybe you grabbed the container that was closest to you, or maybe you examined all of the chickens, checking dates and timestamps to see when they were cooked. Markets follow various display strategies for prepared foods, with many stores making older items more visible so they'll be sold before they spoil. However,
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NEWARK, New Jersey, Feb. 7 (TNSjou) -- The New Jersey Institute of Technology issued the following news:
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Fresher Premade Meals Sell Faster, NJIT Research Finds
Written by: Mindy Weisberger
Why did the rotisserie chicken cross the aisle -- and end up in your shopping cart? Maybe you grabbed the container that was closest to you, or maybe you examined all of the chickens, checking dates and timestamps to see when they were cooked. Markets follow various display strategies for prepared foods, with many stores making older items more visible so they'll be sold before they spoil. However,a theoretical model created by an NJIT researcher suggests that customers prefer finding the freshest items at the front of the displays.
From chicken to salads to sushi, ready-to-eat meals are popular with busy shoppers, with demand growing over the past decade. But premade meals rapidly lose their appeal as their freshness declines, so stores want to move these foods as quickly as possible. Waste is a big problem; a large retailer recently found that it was discarding about 9% of its prepared foods. To understand how to make premade meals more appealing -- and less likely to be thrown away -- the retailer turned to operations management researchers at NJIT and Stanford University.
Jae-Hyuck Park, an assistant professor of decision science and business analytics at NJIT's Martin Tuchman School of Management, studies sustainable operations in grocery stores. Working with Dan Iancu and Erica Plambeck, professors of operations, information and technology at Stanford Graduate School of Business, Park created a model to analyze buying patterns for premade foods and evaluate how information such as timestamps, price and display order might convince a customer to choose an item or pass it over. The findings were published in the journal Management Science.
One tactic for selling premade foods is called "first-in, first-out," or FIFO, in which items that are prepared earlier are displayed more prominently. But some stores favor the "last-in, first-out" (LIFO) strategy, which prioritizes the most recently-cooked items for display and easy access.
According to Park, both approaches offer different advantages.
"FIFO can work better when holding items on the shelf is costly -- for instance, due to heating or labor costs," Park explained. Premade items that spoil quickly also benefit from the FIFO method, he added.
"But when items can sit longer and freshness drives customer satisfaction, a LIFO-type strategy can work better," Park said. "And timestamps are most useful when shoppers differ in how much they care about freshness." However, the LIFO approach means that more items accumulate on shelves, which can increase costs for the store and lead to more waste, the study authors reported.
Higher sales, lower waste
Park's model determined sales rates by calculating factors such as how much premade food was prepared at once; when the first items were put out and when they were replaced; age and estimated quality of the food, based on freshness; item shelf life; and customer traffic. The researchers also analyzed decades of data going back to the 1980s, much of which suggested that FIFO was generally better for managing perishable inventory because it prioritized selling older items first.
But the new model showed that this was not always true. For certain foods -- rotisserie chickens, for example -- customers are highly aware of freshness. In those cases, "selling the freshest items first can actually be optimal," Park said.
"In these settings, a LIFO-type display strategy can increase sales and improve customer experience, a pattern that we also observe in practice at some large U.S. grocery retailers."
Their model also suggested that adding timestamps actually cut down on sales by reducing an item's shelf life, creating more waste. In the study, the scientists suggested that retailers could sell more by omitting timestamps. Even in circumstances where retailers used timestamps to reduce prices for older items, sales were higher if all items were the same price and not timestamped. In the absence of timestamps, customers judged the quality of an item through visual comparison rather than age.
Policy makers can also learn from these findings, the authors wrote, as increasing sales and cutting down waste can have wider benefits. In California and across France, new laws require that markets donate unsold food or pay a penalty. As a result, retailers may opt to extend the shelf life of unsold items, shortening their viability after donation. Strategies that improve sales may therefore affect the quantity and quality of food that stores donate.
"Retailers could see higher sales, lower food waste, and better alignment between operational efficiency and consumer preferences," Park said. "Importantly, our results suggest that these gains do not have to come at the expense of customer welfare, which makes the findings particularly relevant for sustainability-focused retail strategies."
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Original text here: https://news.njit.edu/fresher-premade-meals-sell-faster-njit-research-finds
