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HNU Institute presents new research projects at the RARCS conference in Zagreb

16.07.2025, Research:

Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences (HNU) was represented at the 31st Recent Advances in Retailing and Consumer Sciences (RARCS) Conference from July 7 to 10 in Zagreb, Croatia, with a total of three contributions: Scientists from the Sales and Sustainable Business Institute (SSBI) presented their research on smart stores, the acceptance of environmentally friendly packaging and the ethical and cultural challenges of using AI-supported retail advertising at the international conference.

The annual RARCS conference provides a platform for transnational scientific exchange on retailing and consumer services. The event is organized by the editors of the Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services (VHB B) Harry Timmermanns and Soora Rasouli.

With Prof. Dr. Alexander H. Kracklauer, Pia Drechsel, Stephanie Jordan and Maike Netscher, a total of four members of the SSBI took part in the special session “Decision Making in Digital and Responsible Retailing and Consumer Services” initiated by PD Dr. Carsten Schultz (FernUniversität Hagen) and gave insights into their research work.

The contributions in detail:

  • Maike Netscher (HNU), Stephanie Jordan (HNU, University of Bayreuth), Alexander Kracklauer (HNU) & Christian Schieder (FH Amberg-Weiden): Understanding service quality gaps in smart stores: do retailers’ perceptions match customers’ expectations?
  • Pia Drechsel (HNU; TUM), Alexander H. Kracklauer (HNU), Klaus Menrad (TUM) & Thomas Decker (TUM): A sustainable switch: field experiment on consumer acceptance of environmentally friendly packaging in retail
  • Stephanie Jordan (HNU; Universität Bayreuth), Maike Netscher (HNU), Diana Sanchez (Universidad de Chile), Latifa Mednini (University of Sfax), Alexander H. Kracklauer (HNU) & Claas Christian Germelmann (Universität Bayreuth): Navigating ethical, legal and cultural challenges in AI-supported retail promotions: a cross-continents’ research

Contact
Stephanie Jordan 

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The members of the SSBI at the RARCS conference, from left: Maike Netscher, Stephanie Jordan, Pia Drechsel, Prof. Dr. Alexander Kracklauer