Apparel Retail Stores Research Articles

Strategic Managerial Shift at Retail Stores to Boost Positivity Among Employees in Post-Pandemic Scenario

Retail is one of the most severely impacted sectors by the COVID-19 pandemic. The end of a pandemic is no relief for managers as the recovery phase is all the more challenging. In the 'new normal,' consumers' reluctance to visit stores adds to retail store managers' global challenges. Store managers had to rethink their business plans to innovate for sustenance. The article demonstrates a novel approach to discovering the strategic shift of the managers of the retail stores for apparel to boost positivity from the employees' subjective perspective in the post-pandemic era. Dynamic, ingenious, and morally stable leadership styles help to draw insights for exploring the mechanism with which the managers of the retail stores of apparel brands induce positive organizational behavior—the links of the constructs of a theoretical model frame into hypotheses. The sample is of 300 employees in apparel retail stores. Structural equation modeling empirically validated the approaches. The findings revealed that only an ingenious leadership style could induce positivity among the current employees in apparel retail stores. The study will give valuable insights into the applications of store managers to implement novel strategic decisions in their leadership styles.

Using consumer preference data in forecasting demand in apparel retailing

PurposeThis study was carried out to analyze the importance of consumer preference data in forecasting demand in apparel retailing.MethodologyTo collect preference data, 729 hypothetical stock keeping units (SKU) were derived using a full factorial design, from a combination of six attributes and three levels each. From the hypothetical SKU's, 63 practical SKU's were selected for further analysis. Two hundred two responses were collected from a store intercept survey. Respondents' utility scores for all 63 SKUs were calculated using conjoint analysis. In estimating aggregate demand, to allow for consumer substitution and to make the SKU available when a consumer wishes to buy more than one item in the same SKU, top three highly preferred SKU's utility scores of each individual were selected and classified using a decision tree and was aggregated. A choice rule was modeled to include substitution; by applying this choice rule, aggregate demand was estimated.FindingsThe respondents' utility scores were calculated. The value of Kendall's tau is 0.88, the value of Pearson's R is 0.98 and internal predictive validity using Kendall's tau is 1.00, and this shows the high quality of data obtained. The proposed model was used to estimate the demand for 63 SKUs. The demand was estimated at 6.04 per cent for the SKU cotton, regular style, half sleeve, medium priced, private label. The proposed model for estimating demand using consumer preference data gave better estimates close to actual sales than expert opinion data. The Spearman's rank correlation between actual sales and consumer preference data is 0.338 and is significant at 5 per cent level. The Spearman's rank correlation between actual sales and expert opinion is −0.059, and there is no significant relation between expert opinion data and actual sales. Thus, consumer preference model proves to be better in estimating demand than expert opinion data.Research implicationsThere has been a considerable amount of work done in choice-based models. There is a lot of scope in working in deterministic models.Practical implicationThe proposed consumer preference-based demand estimation model can be beneficial to the apparel retailers in increasing their profit by reducing stock-out and overstocking situations. Though conjoint analysis is used in demand estimation in other industries, it is not used in apparel for demand estimations and can be greater use in its simplest form.Originality/valueThis research is the first one to model consumer preferences-based data to estimate demand in apparel. This research was practically tested in an apparel retail store. It is original.

Role of Interior and Exterior Stores Visual Merchandising on Consumers’ Impulsive Buying Behaviour: Reference to Apparel Retail Stores in Sri Lanka

Purpose: With emerging modern phenomena in the world, the aesthetic appeal of a product is utilized by retailers as visual marketing strategies. The main aspiration of the study is to investigate the influence of interior and exterior visual merchandising strategies on impulse purchases of customers in apparel retail sector, Sri Lanka.
 Methods: Quantitative research approach was employed. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire, using 343 consumers who are buying apparels from apparel retail stores in Sri Lanka. Acknowledging the Stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) framework of environmental psychology, window display, floor merchandising, promotional signage and mannequin display selected as the strategies of visual merchandising.
 Findings: Multiple regression analysis results indicated that window display as the highest influencing factor followed by promotional signage and mannequin display in-store form on impulse purchases. However, the floor merchandising was not a significant influencer on impulse purchases.
 Research Implication: The study contributes to theory by testing the applicability of the S-O-R framework of environmental psychology to visual merchandising strategies as stimulus in the apparel retail sector. The results of the study will pave the way for both small and large retailers to gain customer attraction and increase market space through providing value for the customers. Also, the study will help for customers to get an understanding about marketing strategies and how they should behave in shopping travels. Furthermore, the policymakers can make best decisions with optimizing the knowledge regarding apparel industry and consumer behavior.

Understanding customer-perceived values for apparel retailing in India

PurposeInfrastructural revolution, intense competition and customer attraction towards organised apparel retailing in India are potentially affecting traditional retailing. The authors seek to identify the factors that customers perceive during shopping in organised apparel retail store. This study also investigates the indirect effects of identified factors on behavioural outcomes such as loyalty.Design/methodology/approachThe study randomly selected the customers immediately after shopping to minimise the experience's carryover effects. A sample of 648 customers was collected. Data were analysed using multivariate analysis of covariance.FindingsThe study has found that in-store logistics is the second order factor with ease of return, on-shelf availability, product accessibility, shopping convenience, and product information as the variables. The result shows that in-store logistics, store environment, store communication, merchandise assortment, perceived price and employee attribute influence customer satisfaction. As expected, these factors indirectly influence the loyalty.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focused on organised multi-brand apparel retailing, and the survey was conducted in a tier-II city of India only. Hence, any attempt to generalise the findings must be undertaken with caution.Practical implicationsIn the context of multi-brand retailing, competition is fierce. New entrants and traditional apparel retailers hesitate to adopt organised apparel retailing. The findings of this study can be helpful for new entrants and traditional apparel retailers to adopt organised apparel retailing.Originality/valuePrevious studies in the field of multi-brand retailing have mainly focused on the marketing aspect of retail stores. This study contributes to the operations aspect and tests the impact of operational function (in-store logistics) on customer satisfaction.

Reconfigure the apparel retail stores with interactive technologies

PurposeThe omni-channel strategy provides a holistic experience during shopping by integrating online and offline channel services. In this digitalized realm, customers are more dependent on online elements for shopping. However, physical stores are still their first choice for apparel shopping. The introduction of interactive technology is one of the key elements to provide an online experience in the physical store. The purpose of this paper is to identify the impact of interactive technologies on purchase intention and its role.Design/methodology/approachThis study has been conducted in Delhi using 573 customers who are using interactive technologies for shopping. A self-developed questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data was analysed using structural equation modelling through smart partial least square 3.FindingsThe results show that 46% change in purchase intention was due to mobile point of sale/digital wallet, tablet/i-pad/digital signage, smartphone and click and collect/ship from store technology. However, there was no impact of the smart mirror and in-store Wi-Fi technology on purchase intention.Originality/valueThis study focuses on various technologies which provide online experience at physical stores. This study offers new insights for the theoretical and business framework of omni-channel brands. These technologies could be used as key performance indicators of omni-channel retailing in future.

The Influence of In-Store Ambience on Consumer Purchasing Behaviour

This study assesses in-store ambience or atmospherics of a selected apparel retail store to determine its possible influence on consumer behaviour at the selected store. Forty-five (45) walk-in customers were conveniently selected to participate in the quantitative, cross sectional study. The study concluded that there is a significant positive relationship between in-store ambience and consumer purchasing behaviour at the selected retail store. The study provides recommendations for both theory and practice

Spatial Mapping of Store Retailers With Reference to Apparels

The advancement and progressive nature of the Indian customers has requisite the apparel retail players to understand the competitive dimensions of the market. To withstand the pressing factor of rivalry, the apparel retailers need to develop techniques subsequent to deciding their positioning in the market so that their development and endurance in this competitive market is secured. The current research studies the dimensions of positioning frame and maps the different apparel retail stores using spatial maps. The objective of the study is to examine how the customers perceive different apparel stores based on its similarities. The sampling frame of the study consisted of five major apparel stores, viz. Central, Pantaloons, Reliance Trends, Shoppers Stop and Planet Fashion. The data for the study is collected through questionnaire in which the 150 respondents were asked to provide similarity judgements for all the pairs of selected stores using a Likert scale. The direct approach of multidimensional scaling through ASCAL is approached to generate spatial map. The results showed that Reliance Trends is enjoying at an uncluttered space and can be assured of no real competition as compared to other select stores.

Machine Learning Algorithms with Intermittent Demand Forecasting: An Application in Retail Apparel with Plenty of Predictors

Demand forecasting is a key factor for apparel retail stores to sustain their business, especially where there are variety of products and intermittent demand. In this study, two of the most popular machine learning methods, random forest (RF) and k-nearest neighbour (KNN), have been used to forecast retail apparel’s intermittent demand. Numerous variables that may have an effect on the sales, have been taken into account one of which is defined as “special day” that might trigger intermittence in the demand. During the application of the forecast, four different datasets were used to provide reliability. 28 different variables were used to increase accuracy of the forecasting and experience of the behaviours of the algorithms. Root mean square error (RMSE) was used to evaluate performance of the methods and as a result of this study, RF showed better performance in all four datasets comparing to KNN.

A Discriminant Analysis Of High End And Budget Stores In Apparel Retail In India Using Retail Service Quality Scale Model

Service Quality is a blend of two words, Service and Quality where we discover accentuation on the accessibility of value services to definitive users. RSQS scale has been used for identifying the discriminant service quality factors differentiating the consumer perception of high end apparel retail stores and budget apparel retail stores. All out 600 surveys were circulated, 300 for high end and 300 for budget apparel retail stores and that we got 548 complete surveys of which 258 were from consumers of high end apparel retail stores and 290 were from consumers of budget apparel retail stores which were utilized for examination. The high end stores included in the study include H&M, Veromoda, ONLY and Westside and budget stores included in the study include Trends, Max, FBB and Pantaloons. The discriminate function revealed a significant association between groups and all predictors, accounting for 64.5% of between group variability, the structure matrix revealed three significant predictors, namely Reliability, Physical Aspects and Policy with problem solving and personal interaction as poor predictors. The cross validated classification showed that overall 76% were correctly classified.

Positioning strategy implementation barriers: a decision making approach based on resource-based theory

The first aim of this paper is to present the issue of apparel retailing in India with the simultaneous determination of barriers to positioning strategy implementation. Second, measure the causality, comparative strength and network structure of the barriers in the way of successful strategy implementation. Key barriers identified with the help of literature review from peer-reviewed papers and validated by experts. Grey theory employed to refine the opinions collected from experts then employed DEMATEL to quantitatively calculate the importance, causality, comparative strength and effect in the interaction among barriers. This paper has identified 17 implementation barriers of competitive positioning strategy which hinders successful implementation of strategy in the apparel retail stores. Further, cause/effect relationships among these barriers have been developed using grey-DEMATEL approach. This research is highly noteworthy for apparel retailers to position their stores in the competitive market and eradicate the main barriers with the help of systematic approach.

Benchmarking Marketing and Business Strategy of UNIQLO to Start-up a Retail Shop in Bangladesh

The aim of this study is to let an apparel business entrepreneur recognize the initiatives, challenges, channels, business and marketing strategy to start up a new apparel store. This investigation has been conducted by benchmarking marketing and business strategy of UNIQLO through BPM, SWOT Analysis and Porter’s Five Forces Model in order to initiate a new retail shop. The BPM model scrutinizes the whole process of the organization like customer needs, management processes, core processes, support processes etc. in order to improve continuously. The whole process to build an apparel retail store as well as facilitate an entrepreneur to detect a way to establish an outstanding brand has been demonstrated by this model. Furthermore, a framework has been delivered by ‘Marketing Mix’ consisting of 4 elements: Product, Price, Place, Promotion to manage the market and cause it one into a business context. This research is a qualitative based study to explore the object in a reasonable manner. In this qualitative study, primary data are obtained through an interview with related respondents. Business goals, success factors, critical success factors, measurable process controls have been determined for the proposed apparel retail showroom. As sustainability plays a vital role to strengthen the brand image around the world, the probable means to generate it has also been conferred. Keywords: BPM, location agnostic, apparels, retail-store, fitting room, omni-channel. DOI : 10.7176/EJBM/12-2-01 Publication date: January 31 st 2020

Evaluating performance of apparel retail stores using data envelopment analysis

Evaluating performance of apparel retail stores using data envelopment analysis

Role Of Visual Merchandise Elements In A Mall Environment

Visual merchandising in apparel retail stores is gaining its own importance in presentation and selling of merchandise. It influences the customer to a greater extent especially in shopping malls where people do window shopping. The main objective of this paper is to highlight various Visual Merchandising (VM) trends observed in shopping malls with reference to apparel retail and the related perception of the shoppers.

EVALUATING PERFORMANCE OF APPAREL RETAIL STORES USING DATA ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS

The purpose of this research paper is to evaluate the performance of chain of organised apparel retail stores and also to benchmark their performance at company as well as store level considering both discretionary as well as non-discretionary variables. The paper aims to use data envelopment analysis firstly, for calculating the efficiency score and secondly for calculating projections for each of the retail store in order to understand the excess in discretionary inputs and shortfalls in output. Results show that most of the retail stores are performing well but there is a scope for improvement in several cases. The study provides a framework for performance evaluation and also assists in identifying the areas of improvement.

Cognitive Influence on Consumer’s Preference in selecting the Organized and Unorganized Apparel Retail Stores

The cognitive influence has a well-defined role in consumer's preference towards selection of retail format. But its role in the selection of the apparel retail stores has been ambiguously demarcated. This research attempts to fill this gap by investigating the effect of various stores atmospheric and merchandise cues on consumer's preference towards the selection of apparel retail format choice. Data are collected from 180 shoppers who visited and made at least one purchase from the retail stores. The study has revealed the role of 31 variables factorized into six factors, recreation, rendition, rapport, rate, range and recurrence constituting 'Six R model' of factors affecting apparel retailing. The fun and enjoyment during shopping are preferred over the quality of product while the prices and discount offered are not the preferable choices for modern shoppers to select the retail store.

Enhancing green loyalty towards apparel retail stores: A cross-generational analysis on an emerging market

Faced with an array of scandals and challenges caused by environmental pollution and exploitation of workers, apparel retailers are often compelled to re-think their strategies in compliance with environmental governance, and to implement specific measures aimed at environmental protection and preserving resources. By adopting green-based strategies to reach their target segments, retailers seek not only to capture the attention of different consumer generations, but also to inspire loyalty and encourage them to re-visit stores.Based on the generational theory and by means of quantitative research addressing four consumer generations in an emerging market, the authors highlight the extent to which clothing retailers are able, by adopting green strategies and consistently implementing environmental protection actions, to attract mainly young consumers to their stores, encouraging the sharing of peer recommendations, increasing purchasing behaviour and invoking loyalty. The article highlights the contribution of green marketing strategies in developing consumer loyalty in an emerging market by offering retailers the possibility of deepening their understanding when approaching different consumer generations.

Impact of Store and Product Attributes on Purchase Intentions: An Analytical Study of Apparel Shoppers in Indian Organized Retail Stores

Purpose: Store positioning of domestic organized apparel retail stores has become a concern to retailers in view of FDI in retail, entrance of new giant retailers and growing competition among retailers. Therefore, this study makes an attempt to identify the predictors of intention to purchase (ITP). Besides this, the study aims to examine and identify the current positions of select stores and causal relationships among store attributes (SAs), product attributes (PAs) and ITP. Research Design: Mixed method approach and exploratory cum descriptive research design is adopted. A self-administered questionnaire was administered to 600 shoppers; they were approached after completion of their shopping from the select stores. Statistical techniques like exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, perceptual mapping and structural equation modelling were employed using MS Excel, SPSS 20.0 and AMOS 20.0 versions. Further, reliability and validity tests were also performed. Findings: The findings of the study indicate that on the whole, SAs as well as PAs had a positive effect on ITP. The findings are discussed in light of what retailers can do to enhance the intention of shoppers to purchase. Originality/Value: It will provide practical implications to organized apparel retailers for the betterment of the shoppers and growth of stores.

An empirical study on apparel retail service quality and its impact on customer loyalty in specialty store

The aim of this study is to examine the different dimensions of retail service quality (RSQ) in the apparel retail store and its impact on customer loyalty. About 250 retail apparel store customers in Tirupur were surveyed by implementing the questionnaire method. Structural equation model (SEM) was used to examine the impact of different dimensions of retail service quality factors on customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. The study acknowledged the five important RSQ factors (personal aspects, reliability, personal interaction, policy and problem solving) and proved that there is a relationship between the RSQ factors and customer satisfaction and not associated with customer loyalty. From this study it is inferred that most of the customers are satisfied with services of apparel stores, those satisfied are not loyal customers. Therefore, the article recommends that the management of apparel retail stores should design effective policy to retain customers.

Examining Applicability of RSQS with Added Dimensions for Organized Apparel Retailers in India

This study endeavours to validate and develop a scale for organized apparel retail stores, as there is a need to develop and validate a modified instrument. Primary data have been collected from selected organized apparel retailers. Statistical tools, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM), were applied. It revealed that Retail Service Quality Scale (RSQS) model in original form is deficient and less appropriate in the Indian context, modified scale (i.e., Apparel Store Service & Product Quality Scale [ASSPQS]) may exhibit strong model fit for apparel retail sector. The findings and recommendations will enable retail stores to gather insights into current levels of service and product quality and may facilitate them in the improvement of certain aspects in service and product quality of the stores.

A Regression Analysis of Generation Y Female Students’ Perceptions on Social Risk, Buying Behaviour and Apparel Store Choice

In the present post-modern era, Generation Y female students are faced with a discerning process of selecting the optimum apparel retail store to be loyal to and from which to buy clothing products. Therefore, the active store choice decision is conceptualized as the difficulty of determining someplace and when and where to shop. The main objective of the study was to examine the relationship between social risk, buying behavior and store choice within the apparel retail industry. The study is positioned within a post-positivism quantitative paradigm and adopts a cross-sectional survey approach collecting data from 400 conveniently selected university students. Scale purification was done through pre-testing and pilot testing. Through multiple regression analysis, the results show that social risk and buying behavior significantly influences retail store choice in an apparel retail setting. The findings indicated that there is a positive and significant association between perceived social risk, buying behavior and retail store choice. Based on the outcomes of the study, recommendations were suggested to retail managers to develop retailing strategies that charm the female Generation Y consumers. In addition, limitations and future research directions are referred to.