INNOVATIVE CONSUMER OF FOOD OF ANIMAL ORIGIN

Product innovation is an important factor of competitiveness provided its market implementation is preceded by detailed research studies on consumer needs and expectations. Considering the popularization of novelties, those innovators are particularly interesting, who are the first to buy new products. Understanding their profile and specificity of their market behaviour considerably facilitates the commercialization of new products. In the paper, the survey results are presented of consumer attitudes and behaviours towards innovative products of animal origin. The survey was carried out in December 2011 on a representative sample of 1000 respondents aged 15 and more from Poland; it was focused on the identification and description of social and demographic profile of innovators. It was found that the innovativeness of consumers as regards dairy products was higher than towards meat products and eggs. It was proved that the level of innovativeness was mainly determined by such features as place and place of residence. At the same time, the innovators polled showed to feel more disposed to pay a higher price for innovative products of animal origin.