Brand and retailer loyalty: past behavior and future intentions

Abstract

Brand loyalty is investigated by examining actual past behavior and its impact on future behavioral intentions: in terms of expectation to purchase the same/another brand from the same/another retailer, as well as willingness to recommend the purchased brand and retailer from which it was purchased. Findings indicate that while not without its flaws, purchase expectations/intentions data remain a valid research metric. Furthermore, it would appear as if the brand/consumer interface offers greater predictive ability than the retail/consumer interface. Lastly, willingness to recommend does not seem to be influenced by past behavior, but the higher the respondent’s expectation to purchase a brand, the higher will be their willingness to recommend that brand. The same applies to retailer recommendation. Limitations are discussed, and directions for future research suggested.