Consumer Spatial Behavior Research Articles

Consumers choice of small independent specialty stores in shopping centers during weekday extended trading hours: A qualitative study

This study explored the behavioral dynamics that is responsible for the success of the small independent specialty retailers in a shopping center during weekday extended trading hours. Drawing on literature from different areas, consumers’ shopping experiences, browsing patterns and factors influencing browsing activities in small independent specialty stores in a shopping center during weekday extended trading hours was investigated. The study was carried out in Brisbane, Australia. Two focus groups with consumers and a personal interview with an expert was performed. This research found consumers were usually goal oriented during weekday late evening trading hours and they would usually engage in browsing in-stores only when they require customer assistance. This research was also able to understand and establish the behavioural dynamics that can determine the performance of the small independent specialty stores during extended trading hours. Overall, this research suggests that the small independent specialty stores are unlikely to experience an increase in sales or attract more customers by extending the trading hours. This study makes an important step in understanding consumers demand for small independent specialty stores in categorized shopping centers during the extended trading hours. The conceptualization and findings of this research contribute to two areas of research: consumer spatial behavior and consumer information search in small independent specialty stores in a shopping center during weekday extended trading hours.

Spatial Shopping Behavior in a Multi-Channel Environment: A Discrete Choice Model Approach

Spatial impacts of online shopping are discussed frequently in retail geography. Here, online shopping is mostly regarded as a central driver of competition for physical retailing and its locations, such as town centers or malls. Due to its high popularity, cross-channel shopping is sometimes considered to be a support for physical retailing. However, traditional retail location theory does not consider shopping channels other than in-store shopping. Furthermore, although online shopping is far too important to be neglected in examining consumer spatial shopping behavior, there is an obvious lack in the previous literature towards incorporating multi- and cross-channel shopping into store choice models. The present study aims to identify the main drivers of store choice on the basis that both in-store and online shopping alternatives are available, as well as the opportunity for cross-channel shopping. Taking into account previous literature on both physical store choice and multi-channel shopping, hypotheses on the impact of different shopping transaction costs (such as travel time, delivery charges, or uncertainty with respect to the stores' assortment) were derived. Based on a representative consumer survey, real past shopping decisions in three retail sectors (groceries, consumer electronics [CE], and furniture) were collected. The econometric analysis of empirical store choices was performed using a nested logit model which includes both physical and online stores. The results confirm several assumptions of classical retail location theory as well as previous findings from single-firm studies and stated choice experiments on multi-channel shopping behavior. Travel time to physical stores reduces consumer utility and store choice probability, respectively. Consumer sensitivity towards travel time decreases with decreasing purchase frequency of the desired goods. Delivery charges also decrease the likelihood of choosing a store. The impact of cross-channel integration on store choice (assuming the reduction of consumer transaction costs) is considerably lower than expected and differs between retail sectors. While furniture retailers profit from enabling cross-channel shopping, there is no such competitive advantage found for grocery and CE retailers. The positive effect of assortment on condition of diminishing marginal utility is confirmed for grocery stores and CE stores, but not for furniture stores. From a theoretical perspective, this study shows that multi- and cross-channel shopping behavior does not contradict the main thoughts of classical retail location theory. From a practical perspective, the study is a contribution as store choice models play a significant role in both business location planning and governmental land use planning.

Consumer Spatial Behavior for Apparel Products based on Trade Area Selection Criteria

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between consumer spatial behavior and consumer characteristics based on trade area selection criteria. 469 female consumers who lived in the two new towns near Seoul. Bundang and lisan. participated in the study by completing questionnaires. Data were analyzed by using cluster analysis. ANOVA, Duncan`s multiple range test. chi-square analysis, etc. The findings of the empirical research were as follows: 1. Five groups were idealized by cluster analysis based on trade area selection criteria of clothing: price-oriented group, lime convenience-oriented group, shopping convenience-oriented group, vanity/entertainment-oriented group, and passive shopping group 2. Each group differed in spatial behavior such as clothing shopping area, the visiting frequency, and spatial movement type. 3. Each group showed differences in fashion involvement and demographic characteristics(age. marital Status, education, occupation, and social status).

Temporal Variation in Consumer Spatial Behavior in Shopping Streets

Modeling consumer behavior in shopping streets to support urban planning decisions has a long tradition in a variety of disciplines. Surprisingly, temporal variation in such a shopping process has received only scant attention in these models. This paper therefore proposes a multinomial logit model, in which real time is part of the utility function, implying that temporal variation in consumer preference structures can be analyzed. A grid-based estimation procedure is developed to estimate the unknown temporal variability from consumer choice data. The goodness-of-fit of the estimated model is very satisfactory and most parameters are statistically significant and in anticipated directions. Time-varying effects on consumer behavior are shown to be fairly strong. Some factors are weakened over time while others are strengthened. This finding suggests the existence of systematic variations in consumer behavior, which could enable retailers, urban planners, and real estate developers to evaluate their plans or to make decisions in more specific spatio-temporal contexts.

The Huff model in retrospect

The probabilistic model of consumer spatial behavior formulated by Huff in 1962 continues to be used extensively by academicians and professional analysts in a variety of different applications. Consumer patronage, transportation demand, and economic impact are a few examples of such applications. The widespread use of the model has resulted in a number of misuses due to misconceptions and lack of knowledge on key issues. This article highlights key operational problems such as parameter estimation, choice set determination, variable selection and interpretation, and so on. The theoretical underpinning of the model is shown to be rooted in Central Place Theory. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

The Huff model in retrospect

The probabilistic model of consumer spatial behavior formulated by Huff in 1962 continues to be used extensively by academicians and professional analysts in a variety of different applications. Consumer patronage, transportation demand, and economic impact are a few examples of such applications. The widespread use of the model has resulted in a number of misuses due to misconceptions and lack of knowledge on key issues. This article highlights key operational problems such as parameter estimation, choice set determination, variable selection and interpretation, and so on. The theoretical underpinning of the model is shown to be rooted in Central Place Theory. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Spatial Agglomeration Effect of Shopping Destinations and Consumer Spatial Behavior

As the consumer spatial behavior is extended, a spatial agglomeration effect of the shopping destinations is an important factor to provide for the consumer spatial behavior. When the level of aggregation of the shopping destinations influences the spatial behavior of the consumer, application of Luce model with the IIA (independence from irrelevant alternatives) property and the regularity property (for instance, Huff model and MCI model, etc.) has the possibility to become the wrong one.As a result of the empirical analysis, it was clarified that a spatial agglomeration effect of the shopping destinations influences on the interurban consumer spatial behavior and the effect of agglomeration was different according to the characteristics of the goods. The characteristics of the goods divide into three types. One are goods where the merit of spatial agglomeration exists between the shopping destinations (“type A”). The following are goods that the demerit of agglomeration, that is, competing effect exists between the shopping destinations (“type B”). The third are goods where the effect of agglomeration does not exist (“type C”).When the Luce model with the IIA property and the regularity property is applied to making of the consumer spatial behavior specific, the retail drawing power of individual shopping destination will be underpredicted in the goods which belong to “type A” as the level of aggregation of the shopping destinations increases. On the other hand, the retail drawing power of individual shopping destination will be overpredicted in the goods which belong to “type B” as the level of aggregation of the shopping destinations increases. The misspecification is not caused in the goods which belong to “type C” alone.

Choice Experiments versus Revealed Choice Models: A Before-After Study of Consumer Spatial Shopping Behavior

The purpose of this article is to compare a set of multinomial logit models derived from revealed choice data and a decompositional choice model derived from experimental data in terms of predictive success in the context of consumer spatial shopping behavior. Data on consumer shopping choice behavior as collected before the opening of a new major clothing store in a shopping center were used to estimate the parameters of the various models. The estimated parameters were then used to predict market shares of the shopping centers after the opening of the new store. Predicted shares were then compared with data on actual behavior collected after the opening of the new store. Results indicate that the two modelling approaches perform almost equally well.

An Evaluation of Models of Consumer Spatial Behavior Using the Environment-Behavior Paradigm

This article presents an overview of models of consumer spatial behavior and evaluates them in the context of the environment-behavior paradigm. It is argued that the theoretical relevance of the consumer spatial behavior models to research on spatial cognition and wayfinding can be better understood when analyzed in this context. The models are evaluated on four dimensions: (a) the degree to which the model incorporates the notion of the physical environment, (b) the degree to which the model addresses person-based (individual difference) variables, (c) the use of behavioral outcome measures, and (d) the relationships between these variables. This analysis shows that many of the variables employed by the consumer models could be used in research on spatial cognition and wayfinding. Directions are proposed for broadening models of spatial cognition through the addition of the variables used in consumer research.

RETAIL LOCATION DEVELOPMENT AND ITS IMPACT UPON THE CONSUMER SPATIAL BEHAVIOR IN THE JAPANESE URBAN SYSTEM

Abstract This paper has two purposes. First, the trends in the location of supermarkets which have become a major factor in the locational dranges of urban commercial functions are considered. Second, with a focus on the cities and particularly on the metropolitan areas, the changes in consumer spatial behavior brought about by the changes in the location of retail stores are studied within the parameters of the adaptation concept. The drastic changes occurring in commercial location in the metropolitan areas have forced the consumer to adapt to such changes accordingly.

REVIEWS OF GEOGRAPHIC SOFTWARE

Abstract Reviews of geographic software in this article: ADD A STAT, Version 2.0 MULTIFIT, Version 2.0 CITY AND COUNTY DATA BOOK, 1983 Files on Diskettes. FUTPOP. CPSS/PC, Version 2. SOURCE ZIP and SOURCE TRACT STATPLAN 111 ySTAT. Key Words: statistical analysis regressionanalysis of variancetrend analysis linear exponential smoothing population projections fertilitymortalitymigration cubic spline disaggregations population projections fertilitymortalitymigration cubic spline disaggregations simulation queueing theorylocation theory consumer spatial behavior census demographyLotuszip codes tracts statistical package menuforecastingregression time series statistics time series forecasting

Consumer Behavior and the Village Trade Store: A Papua New Guinea Example

Geographie research on consumer spatial behavior has ignored the activities of Third World villagers who patronize small trade stores in their own community. In many villages throughout the Third W...

Recent Developments in Studies of Consumer Spatial Behavior : A Review

Recent Developments in Studies of Consumer Spatial Behavior : A Review

Subjective evaluation and utilization of hospitals by low-income urban residents in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Abstract Subjective evaluations of alternative general hospitals, by residents of a lower socioeconomic status community in Porto Alegre, Brazil, are analyzed to explain hospital selection. The study is based on consumer spatial behavior research in geography. Thirty-six hospital attributes are identified through a triadic procedure applied to residents in their homes. Subsequently, the seven hospitals most widely known by the community are evaluated, using the elicited attributes and a one-to-seven scale, by all members of three random stratified samples of approximately 45 people each. Four similar important dimensions of hospital differentiation and evaluation are identified through the use of J. Douglas Carroll's INDSCAL model. A clear pattern of perceived relative utility of alternative hospitals, based on the four dimensions, is exhibited by the residents. However, utilization among alternative hospitals is found to be negatively correlated with expressed preferences. The power of community residents to choose is significantly limited through institutional and cultural, rather than financial, constraints. Community residents use hospitals of perceived lower ‘quality’ rather than more proximate, perceived higher ‘quality’ hospitals.

Consumer Spatial Behavior and Locational Changes of Central Functions within the Nagoya Metropolitan Area

Consumer Spatial Behavior and Locational Changes of Central Functions within the Nagoya Metropolitan Area

A Review of Selected Factors Conditioning Consumer Travel Behavior

The present paper reviews certain of the characteristics of the consumer's spatial behavior. Specifically, the significance of the nearest center postulate, spatial indifference principle, and temporal considerations are examined, together with an assessment of the importance of retail-attraction, socioeconomic-status, and cultural-racial factors in conditioning travel patterns.

On the Study of Consumer Spatial Behavior in Funakoshi, Iwate Prefecture

This is a case study of consumer behavior by the residents of Funakoshi on the eastern seaboard of Iwate Prefecture. The writers attempted to clarify the factors affecting the choice of shopping centers for daily necessities by the residents of Funakoshi.Funakoshi is a small agricultural and fishing settlement of about two hundred households and is situated 5km south of the Yamada shopping center, 30km from the Miyako shopping center and 25km north of the Kamaishi shopping center. They are all connected by rail and bus routes.Using Huff's probabilistic model, expected ratios of consumer choice frequency for Funakoshi to the three shopping centers were calculated and the ratios were compared with the actual ones. The results are as follows:(1) In testing the hypothesis by χ2 test, there was an insignificant difference between the expected ratios and the actual ones, mainly because of the differences of the shopping centers' scale and the multiple purpose trips them.(2) By an examination of residuals between the expected and actual choice ratio, it was also found that the shopping center of Miyako is more frequently visited to buy daily necessities than Kamaishi. The reasons for the choice between the two shopping centers for the residents of Funakoshi were due to:(a) Conditions of shopping centers: the scale and range of goods available at each shopping center and the commercial environment. The shopping center in Miyako was preferred by the residents of Funakoshi.(b) Conditions of connection to the centers: Miyako is closely connected to Funakoshi than Kamaishi by bus.(c) Social conditions: Miyako was much more in accord with the mood and temperament of the residents of Funakoshi because Kamaishi is an iron and steel center with a large number of unfamiliar transient population from various parts of the country.

Trade Area Analysis Using Trend Surface Mapping

Trade area analysis has long been recognized as one of the fundamental prerequisites for successful marketing management. Not only is such analysis essential for effectively allocating firm resources, but it is vital as an initial step in understanding consumer behavior [18, pp. 128-9]. Thus, over the past 50 years numerous attempts have been made to provide an efficient method for defining and delineating trade areas. For example, in 1933 McGill [13] attempted to develop a suitable analytic method, and most marketers are familiar with the Law of Retail Gravitation [17], a pioneering effort to establish trade area boundaries mathematically, as well as the work in [1, 2, 4, 9]. Despite advances in trade area analysis, it still remains that the difficulty in developing yardsticks to measure trading areas has not yet been overcome [6, p. 283]. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to approach the problem of quantitatively defining and delineating trade areas from a slightly different perspective-that of trend surface mapping. In this manner, an objective, parsimonious map of consumer spatial behavior, unconstrained by unrealistic boundaries or assumptions, can be constructed. A second, closely related topic-that of examining and explaining any anomalies which may exist in a particular trade area-is also considered.

CONSUMER TRAVEL PATTERNS AND THE CONCEPT OF RANGE1

ABSTRACT An aspect of Central Place Theory—the range of a good—is examined for a variety of business centers within a city. The study is concerned with understanding the orderliness of consumer spatial behavior. Specifically two hypotheses are tested. One, that consumers purchase goods and services at the nearest centers offering these goods and services. Two, that there is not a significant difference in the distances travelled for the same good or service from different sizes of centers. The results of the tests emphasize that less than half of the sample of consumers examined go to the nearest center, and that consumers do travel significantly greater distances to the central business district and to larger centers. It is suggested that the nearest center hypothesis and the concept of range require modification to take into account the fact that consumers do travel farther than is essential to purchase goods and services.