Consumer research and public policy: the case of sugar crisis of 1980

Abstract

Based on Consumer Study of Ahmedabad households, conducted immediately after the sugar crisis of 1980, the paper presents the changes that consumer consumption, buying and stocking patterns went through because of the high prices and shortage situation. It points towards reduction in household inventories, lowering of direct consumption at home with little or no effect on outside purchased sugar based products, and increased us e of ration quota by those who earlier cared very little about it. The study attempted to measure the nature and extent of consumer concern about the crisis and indicates that primary effects of excessive consumption. The blame for the crisis was attributed to bad government policies and behavior of industry and trade.