Consumer Groups Research Articles

Wartime segmentation: Class, gender, and nation in the marketing of consumers, Sweden 1939–1945

In line with recent research that regards the Second World War as a “defining moment” rather than a temporary disruption to the development of consumer societies, this paper explores how consumers were imagined in nonbelligerent Sweden. The main empirical source material consists of business-to-business advertisements from newspaper and magazine publishers aimed at potential advertisers. There, publishers portrayed their readers as suitable consumers, and, given that the division of the press constituted the main infrastructure for reaching different consumer groups, this is interpreted as a key to understanding market segmentation processes. The findings show how geographical, demographic, and psychological factors were considered in optimizing advertising influence and reaching classed and gendered target audiences. Although the segmentation process consolidated during the war, focusing on stable, large consumer groups, the imagined consumer also underwent fundamental changes, combating anxiety and despair through dreams of both future and present patriotic consumption.

CAUSAL MODEL OF FACTORS INFLUENCING SHOPPING BEHAVIOR OF GENERATION-Y

Purpose: The objective of this research was to study the variables that affect the online shopping behavior of Generation-Y. Methods: This research was conducted using quantitative methods utilizing a questionnaire as the primary tool to collect data from 300 samples of Gen-Y group who use online shopping services. The statistics used in the data analysis comprised descriptive statistics and structural equation model analysis. Results and Discussions: The results showed that the maximum mean factors were online shopping behavior (mean=5.54, SD.= .681), intention to purchase (mean=5.52, SD.= .704), and subjective norms (mean=5.19, SD.=.924), respectively. The results of casual model analysis found that intention to purchase, and subjective norms affected the online shopping behavior of Y Gen consumers with statistical significance. However, the controllability factor was not statistically significant. Research Implications: Therefore, consumers' perceptions of using technology through social media purchases are seemingly increasing. Accordingly, entrepreneurs in the e-market should use big data to analyze consumer behavior, communicate with consumers, and publicize information efficiently. Consumer groups want to try new things and challenges, and like using a convenient internet to save time, searching products, purchase, and make transactions on one platform via social media. Conclusions: The retail industry has fully entered the digital age, which is evident by the vast number of consumers who use various online platforms. Further, this trend is continuously increasing due to the constant development of modern technology to facilitate consumers and increase the efficiency of commerce. At present, changing consumer behaviors affect various activities and consumption behaviors, especially in terms of consumers spending less time purchasing products in stores and spending more time buying goods and services online using various technological means. Also, this fact tends to significantly increase e-commerce. Originality/Value: It could also be used to reach new target customers to provide more convenience or search for new products that could be acquired easily, even if originating from different continents to help facilitate, save time, and create tremendous business opportunities.

A catalytic membrane approach as a way to obtain sweet and unsweet lactose-free milk.

The growing need in the current market for innovative solutions to obtain lactose-free (L-F) milk is caused by the annual increase in the prevalence of lactose intolerance inside as well as the newborn, children, and adults. Various configurations of enzymes can yield two distinct L-F products: sweet (β-galactosidase) and unsweet (β-galactosidase and glucose oxidase) L-F milk. In addition, the reduction of sweetness through glucose decomposition should be performed in a one-pot mode with catalase to eliminate product inhibition caused by H2O2. Both L-F products enjoy popularity among a rapidly expanding group of consumers. Although enzyme immobilization techniques are well known in industrial processes, new carriers and economic strategies are still being searched. Polymeric carriers, due to the variety of functional groups and non-toxicity, are attractive propositions for individual and co-immobilization of food enzymes. In the presented work, two strategies (with free and immobilized enzymes; β-galactosidase NOLA, glucose oxidase from Aspergillus niger, and catalase from Serratia sp.) for obtaining sweet and unsweet L-F milk under low-temperature conditions were proposed. For free enzymes, achieving the critical assumption, lactose hydrolysis and glucose decomposition occurred after 1 and 4.3h, respectively. The tested catalytic membranes were created on regenerated cellulose and polyamide. In both cases, the time required for lactose and glucose bioconversion was extended compared to free enzymes. However, these preparations could be reused for up to five (β-galactosidase) and ten cycles (glucose oxidase with catalase).

Exploring the lack of liking for faba bean ingredients with different sensory profiles

Faba bean ingredients offer a key role as protein source for wide-ranging food applications, including alternatives to meat and dairy products. However, consumer acceptance is crucial for their integration into people’s diets. This study investigated consumer liking and willingness to use faba bean ingredients and identified the sensory properties that drive consumer preference. Our research involved 264 participants, each with diverse taste abilities, personal attitudes, food choice motives, dietary habits, and demographics. Participants evaluated four pastes made with faba bean ingredients and water in a sensory laboratory setting. Ratings for the liking of smell, taste, overall liking and willingness to use were collected. Additionally, participants evaluated various sensory attributes using Rate-All-That-Apply and Check-All-That-Apply methodologies. To explore the relationships between hedonics, sensory attributes, and participant characteristics, we performed L-PLS regression. Our study revealed that the liking of smell, taste, overall liking, and willingness to use were low for all ingredients, despite their distinct sensory properties. While L-PLS regression did not reveal a distinct pattern of liking, penalty-lift analysis indicated that bitterness was the primary driver of dislike. Moreover, our study identified distinct consumer groups with varying preferences for certain ingredient types. However, considering the overall low-liking scores, the practical relevance of consumer insights might be limited. Our study underscores the interplay between sensory attributes, consumer preferences, and attitudes towards faba bean ingredients. It suggests that addressing bitterness issues could be pivotal in enhancing the market prospects of faba bean ingredients and facilitating their broader acceptance as a protein source.

The Use of both Free and Microencapsulated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Pediococcus parvulus in Cucumber Pickles

AbstractThis is the first study to produce cucumber pickles using both free and microencapsulated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HL4 and Pediococcus parvulus HL14, and to investigate the probiotic viability, as well as the physicochemical (pH, total acidity, salt, and color), bioactive (total phenolic content and antioxidant activity) and sensory properties of the pickles during 15 days of fermentation and 9 weeks of storage. L. plantarum HL4 and P. parvulus HL14 were encapsulated with sodium alginate (as a coating agent) and inulin (as a prebiotic source) using an extrusion method. The encapsulation efficiency of L. plantarum HL4 and P. parvulus HL14 was 95.77 ± 6.21% and 94.94 ± 2.94%, respectively. Both free and microencapsulated cells were incorporated into prepared cucumbers at a rate of 1%. Probiotic cucumber pickles kept the highest microencapsulated cell count (> 6 log CFU/g) until the fourth week of storage. This study indicated that the probiotic survivability in samples can be improved by microencapsulation. During fermentation, the pH and total acidity of the samples varied in the range of 3.22–3.97 and 0.19-0.87%, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the samples ranged from 4.54 to 18.70% (DPPH) and from 51.92 to 88.06% (ABTS+). The total phenolic content of the samples varied between 142.83 and 2465.50 mg GAE/L. Moreover, CP-L (samples fermented with L. plantarum HL4) and CP-P (samples fermented with P. parvulus HL14) showed the highest general assessment scores of 6.90 and 6.95 at the end of storage, respectively. This study offers the opportunity for food companies to become competitive in one of the most innovative research areas in the food sector and to meet the requirements and needs of various consumer groups.

How does ice-snow celebrity influence Chinese tourists to visit Nordic destinations? The case of TikTok

ABSTRACT The emergence of short video (e.g. TikTok) provides a new avenue for destination marketing. However, limited research exists on short ice-snow destination videos, which are significant for Nordic winter tourism marketing. Drawing on a model based on parasocial interaction theory, this study finds that ice-snow celebrity attachment positively predicts Chinese tourists’ parasocial interaction, enjoyment, and hence intention to visit Nordic destinations in winter. Considering that Chinese tourists are an important consumer group for Nordic tourism, the study contributes not only to parasocial interaction theory in the context of short videos and the presentation of ice-snow tourism experiences but also to how to improve ice-snow tourism marketing via celebrity strategies.

“I am not unsustainable; I am on holiday!” moral disengagement and the holiday mindset of young travellers during a cruise

Tourists often fail to follow through with their sustainable behaviour intentions. This lack of compliance can only truly be explored by observing their actions when immersed in the context of a vacation. A holistic case study was conducted by monitoring a group of young consumers on a cruise. Five quantitative and qualitative methods (i.e. baggage audit, participant observation, photo elicitation, diary and introspection) have been employed to collect rich and diverse data on young tourists’ behaviours. This allowed to complement behavioural measures with young tourist lived experiences, overcoming the limitations of self-reported measures. The findings suggest that young tourists do not always behave sustainably while on a cruise, and they morally disengage from such behaviours to deal with those choices. Eleven macro-categories of (un)sustainable behaviours have been observed and identified before, during and after the cruise. The findings also highlight the emergence of four coping mechanisms that allow young tourists to disengage from the unsustainable behaviour and overcome the discrepancy between their pro-environmental values and behaviours. Managers in the tourism industry need to find communication strategies that appeal to the sense of responsibility of a tourist even before the journey and highlight a hedonic dimension to sustainable behaviours.

A közösségi média hatása a magyar nők egészségtudatosságára

Online media marketing is getting greater influence on the daily life, on the consumer and purchasing habits and on our health consciousness. The main goal of the research is to explore what the Hungarian women associate with health-consciousness on different social platforms, how their consumer activity look like and what kind of special groups can be formed. First of all, the posts appearing on the topic of health-consciousness on different platforms were analysed through a netnographic research. Then, with the involvement of 409 women, the influencing factors were measured to the participants on these pages in terms of health consciousness via questionnaire survey. As a result, special consumer groups appearing in the social platform were quantified and recommendations were formulated for companies who base their marketing strategy on online arenas.

An Analysis of the Influence of Customer Participation in Airline Loyalty Programs: A Multi-Group Examination

Loyalty programs have long been seen as a critical factor in the success of many businesses. While there has been extensive research into the benefits, satisfaction, perceived functional value, and loyalty associated with LPs, few studies have sought to compare these results across different consumer groups. This study aims to examine how user involvement levels relate to airline loyalty programs. The survey collected 429 responses from individual members of airline loyalty programs, using multi-group analysis with Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. The findings indicate that satisfaction and perceived value mediate the relationship, while consumer involvement moderates it. A distinction was found between the two consumer groups regarding hedonic benefits, satisfaction, and loyalty. This research makes a valuable contribution to the airline industry by emphasizing the importance of loyalty program benefits and highlighting consumers' role in these programs. Furthermore, it offers practical insights for future research endeavors

Urban life and sunshine: Equitable sunlight resource allocation among different consumer groups?

Owing to the significant role of sunlight hours in human survival, it is crucial to assess the fairness of sunlight resource allocation among different socioeconomic classes, which is essential for the overall harmonious development of a society. This study focused on selected residential communities in Fuzhou, China, and conducted a simulation analysis of sunlight hours using a Solar Grid Model. Additionally, based on the transaction prices of residential properties in the area, this study employs regression analysis to discuss the current supply and demand of sunlight hours for residences with different price ranges. This study found that properties belonging to the lower-spending group may experience excessive sunlight hours during summer. An increase of one hour in sunlight hours on the summer solstice is associated with a decrease of approximately 45,000 RMB in the total property price. In contrast, the higher-spending group is more likely to face insufficient sunlight during winter, and an increase of one hour in sunlight hours on the winter solstice is associated with an approximate 28,000 RMB rise in the total property price. Furthermore, the study found that controlling the size of the property area for medium- to low-priced residential properties within a range of 113 m2 enables better utilization of sunlight resources. In contrast, high-priced residences, if designed with large protrusions, are prone to wasting sunlight resources. This study employed a novel approach to simulate and replicate the current sunlight conditions in urban architectural clusters. For the first time, this study systematically analyzed variations in the demand for sunlight hours across different socioeconomic groups, using property prices as references. Finally, this study summarizes the typical characteristics of sunlight design issues related to residential sample variations and proposes corresponding solutions.

Esports for development? Exploring esports player profiles and their development and well-being outcomes

PurposeThis study aimed to identify subgroups of esports players based on their gaming behavior patterns across game genres and compare self-efficacy, social efficacy, loneliness and three dimensions of quality of life between these subgroups.Design/methodology/approach324 participants were recruited from prolific academic to complete an online survey. We employed latent profile analysis (LPA) to identify subgroups of esports players based on their behavioral patterns across genres. Additionally, a one-way multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was conducted to test the association between cluster memberships and development and well-being outcomes, controlling for age and gender as covariates.FindingsLPA analysis identified five clusters (two single-genre gamer groups, two multigenre gamer groups and one all-genre gamer group). Univariate analyses indicated the significant effect of the clusters on social efficacy, psychological health and social health. Pairwise comparisons highlighted the salience of the physical enactment-plus-sport simulation genre group in these outcomes.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the understanding of the development and well-being benefits experienced by various esports consumers, as well as the role of specific gameplay in facilitating targeted outcomes among these consumer groups.

Analysis of Luckin Coffee’s Co-Branded Marketing Based on 4C Theory

With the rapid development of China’s economy and the steady improvement of people’s living standard, co-branded products have attracted consumers’ attention with their beautiful appearance and rich cultural heritage. In marketing, co-branded also plays a very important role. However, how to maximize the advantages of the co-branded strategy has become a key issue for many enterprises to consider. The success of co-branded strategy cannot be separated from the support of consumers. Therefore, how to carry out co-branded marketing activities from the perspective of consumers becomes the key to the success of co-branded marketing activities. This paper will take Luckin Coffee as the research object and analyse how Luckin Coffee can make its co-branded products popular among consumers from the 4C theory, which focuses on consumers, and analyses how Luckin Coffee can satisfy consumers’ needs, lower costs, provide convenience, and promote communication in four aspects. Finally, this paper puts forward several suggestions for Luckin Coffee’s co-branded marketing strategy from the aspects of expanding consumer groups, increasing co-branded peripheral derivatives, and widening on-line promotion channels.

Differences in Daily Activity Performance Between Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility and Home Among Stroke Survivors.

Stroke survivors are one of the largest consumer groups of rehabilitation services. Despite improvement in daily activities while in inpatient rehabilitation, many have difficulty performing daily activities at home after discharge. The difference in performance between a standard clinical context and at home is poorly understood. To better understand differences in activity performance during transition from inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) to home, we examined daily activity performance scores from 2 different environments (IRF and home) at the same time point (discharge). This was a cross-sectional analysis using baseline data from a randomized controlled trial. Participants were stroke survivors aged ≥50 who planned to discharge home from the IRF. The Functional Independence Measure and Section GG codes (both converted to International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health scores) were conducted per protocol first at home and then in the IRF at discharge (≤3 days apart, order not randomized). Among 57 participants, activity scores at home were significantly worse than scores at IRF discharge. Over 40% of participants had discharge scores indicating no-to-mild impairment for shower/tub transfer, walking, and going up/down stairs, while home visit scores indicated moderate-to-complete impairment for those activities. The greatest differences in scores were for shower/tub transfer (median difference 1.5, 95% CI 1.00-2.00) and going up/down stairs (median difference 1.50, 95% CI 1.00-2.00). The environment plays an important role in stroke survivors' functioning at home. Future studies should further examine how the environment impacts activity performance upon returning home following stroke.

Exploring Indonesian Panic Buyers’ Typologies in Time of Covid-19 Pandemic

Purpose – This study aims to investigate hitherto unresearched panic buyer (shopper) typologies among Indonesian consumers as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. In this study, a panic buyer (shopper) is described as a customer who worries about their stock during a pandemic and decides to purchase things in bulk or in greater quantities at the start of the pandemic.
 Design/methodology/approach – To identify probable groupings of the items, an exploratory factor analysis is carried out using principal component analysis and varimax rotation. Then to identify consumer groups, a two-step cluster analysis was conducted. Lastly, an ANOVA test is run on the whole set of variables to identify differences between the detected clusters in order to validate the cluster solutions.
 Findings – Five components that served as the foundation for the typology emerged from exploratory factor analysis. Using behaviour and attitude factors including "consumption savers," "adapters reluctant," "preservers of social consciousness," "online shopping shifters," and "all-around adapters," five clusters were then defined.
 Research limitations/implications – This study contributes significantly to the body of knowledge on consumer behavior during health crises (Covid-19) by putting into context the frantic shoppers that we frequently observe during these situations. It's noteworthy that throughout the epidemic, no panic buyers (shoppers) voiced worry about health problems.
 Practical implications – This study provides essential practical information for marketing professionals. For instance, it may be necessary to consider research showing that panic buyers (shoppers) tend to be consumption savers during a pandemic when developing a price plan.
 Originality/value – Despite the fact that there have been many studies on panic behavior during COVID-19, most of them tend to concentrate on medical problems. There are now a few studies that examine several sorts of panic buyers (shoppers) based on their purchasing behaviors and attitudes. By categorizing various categories of panic buyers (shoppers) among 121 decision-makers in families, this study aims to close this literature gap.

The Unfairness of Personalised Price Terms in Consumer Credit Products

Abstract This article examines whether, and if so to what extent, a lender can engage in the algorithmic personalised pricing of consumer credit products (PP) under the Unfair Contract Terms Directive (UCTD) and the Consumer Credit Directive (CCD). To this end, the author first analyses the economic literature to discuss the mechanics of PP and the economic impacts on different consumer groups. This overview is followed by an examination of the UCTD and the CCD, in the broader context of EU regulatory law, as these Directives apply to the practice and the contractual terms. Subsequently, the author applies the considerations of the European Court of Justice (CJEU) in the jurisprudence regarding price terms in credit and mortgage agreements to personalised price terms. Finally, the author concludes that the Directives indeed limit the extent to which a lender can engage in PP, but that the frameworks in the broader EU regulatory context would be better suited than the Directives to address the negative economic impacts of the practice.

Attentional ERPs in consumers of smoked and insufflated cocaine associated with neuropsychological performance

BackgroundCocaine consumption is associated with reduced attentional event-related potentials (ERPs), namely P3a and P3b, indicating bottom-up and top-down deficits respectively. At cognitive level, these impairments are larger for faster routes of administration (e.g., smoked cocaine [SC]) than slower routes (e.g., insufflated cocaine [IC]). Here we assess these ERPs considering the route of cocaine administration. We hypothesized that SC dependent (SCD) would exhibit reduced amplitude of the P3a, while both SCD and IC dependent (ICD) would show reduced amplitude of the P3b. MethodsWe examined 25 SCD, 22 ICD matched by poly-consumption profiles, and 25 controls matched by demographic variables. We combined EEG data from the Global-Local task with behavioral data from attentional cognitive tasks. ResultsAt the behavioral level, SCD exhibited attentional deficits in both bottom-up and top-down processes, while ICD only showed a tendency for top-down deficits. The amplitude of P3a and P3b was lower in Users groups. We observed subtle route-based differences, with larger differences in the P3a for SCD and in the P3b for ICD. Neurophysiological and behavioral data converged, with the P3a associated to bottom-up performance and P3b to top-down. ConclusionsDifferent routes of administration lead to distinct attentional neurocognitive profiles. Specifically, SCD showed greater attentional impairment, mainly at bottom-up/P3a, while ICD showed a trend of top-down/P3b deficits. These findings emphasize the crucial role of considering the route of administration in both clinical and research settings and support the use of attentional ERPs as valid measures for assessing attentional deficits in substance Dependence.

Improvement of Cross-border Bonded Goods Supply Chain by Optimizing Operational Methods

Based on the existing mode of the supply chain of imported bonded commodities for cross-border e-commerce enterprises, this paper studies and discusses the online operation method of bonded commodities, warehousing management, logistics and transportation, as well as consumer satisfaction, and draws on the operation mode of the supply chain of domestic general trade goods, and tries to make innovations to the operation and management of the whole cross-border bonded commodities supply chain based on this model. The authors of this paper found that updating the sales strategy and cooperation between the supply chain could help merchants accurately predict the positioning of commodities and market demand, which is helpful for cross-border e-commerce enterprises to grasp the market trends and consumption trends and avoid the inventory backlog in bonded warehouses. In addition, the innovation of bonded merchandise sales could increase the consumer attention of different groups of consumers, accelerate the circulation of goods and increase the sales of goods. It helps cross-border e-commerce enterprises to enhance their market competitiveness. Finally, merchants, through the management of logistics and transportation, through cooperation and data sharing, can better reduce logistics and transportation costs and rapid delivery.

Leave the Milk for the Calf and Spread the Word: Exploring Factors Determining US Consumers’ Willingness to Try Plant-Based Milk Alternatives and Their Word-of-Mouth Sharing about Plant-Based Milk Alternatives

Plant-based milk alternatives are important beverages in US consumer markets. Sustainability, consumer awareness, lifestyle changes, and other value-based reasons are why these beverages are increasing in popularity. The present study is focused on plant-based milk alternatives. It builds on an online consumer survey that explores the factors explaining US consumers’ willingness to try plant-based milk alternatives and their word-of-mouth sharing about these beverages. Animal welfare concerns, environmental concerns, health consciousness, and dairy preferences are the factors under investigation. Results show that animal welfare, dairy preference, environmental concerns, and plant-based milk enthusiasm are significant predictors for willingness to try plant-based milk alternatives. Dairy preferences, environmental concerns, and plant-based milk enthusiasm predict the word-of-mouth factors. Overall, plant-based milk enthusiasm is the strongest driver for both consumer behaviours. Best practice recommendations address marketers in the US food and beverage industry and provide suggestions on how to target different consumer groups based on nutritional preferences and needs and on value-based product characteristics.

The “Lifelong Learning” concept as a factor of competitiveness and sustainable social and economic development

The purpose is to identify homogeneous groups of consumers towards the purchase of Lifelong Learning services in the context of their purchasing behaviour.The theory of system analysis, economic‐statistical and empirical methods were used. The respondents were consumers of services provided in the centres of additional education of the largest Russian universities. The data for the study was collected by means of an online survey via Google Forms service.Six groups of educational services consumers were identified: 1st – “LLL” consumers who identify their learning experience as ineffective (corresponding to the response “get nothing out of learning”); 2nd – men and women not more than 35 years old, targeting mainly not in the family, but in building a career, quite often participating in various educational activities; 3rd – women who choose the format of training in the form of retraining programs; 4th – women working as freelancers or self‐employed, some of them on maternity leave; 5th – women up to about 35 years old, working as line workers, without children and without higher education; 6th – men under the age of 40, with a good financial situation, who independently choose a certain training programme in order to obtain specific knowledge.The concept of “Lifelong Learning” involves the continuous development and improvement of skills, competences and knowledge throughout life, which helps to enhance competitiveness and sustainability of social and economic development.

Adoption of Digital Payment Systems and its Influence on Consumer Behaviour in India

The economic life of India is undergoing significant changes with the rapid adoption of digital payment systems. This study explores the complex relationship between this phenomenon and its subsequent impact on consumer behavior. The Digital India programme, technological advances and a young, tech-savvy population have all contributed to the growth of digital payments in India. This study examines the key factors influencing the adoption of digital payment methods with a focus on perceived ease of use. , security considerations and government incentives. It examines how these factors and demographics influence consumer choices about mobile wallets, UPIs, online banking and debit/credit cards. The study further analyzes the impact of digital payments on consumer purchasing behavior in India. We look at potential changes in online shopping habits, impulse buying trends and consumer tracking. The research explores how the convenience of digital transactions can increase online shopping and potentially impulse buying. On the other hand, it explores how these platforms could promote greater financial transparency by allowing consumers to more effectively control their spending.This mixed methods study uses a quantitative survey and qualitative interviews to gain a comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon. The quantitative study collects information on the use, perceptions and consumption behavior of digital payments from a representative sample of Indian consumers from various demographic groups. In-depth interviews with a smaller group of consumers provide a better understanding of their experiences and how digital payments have affected their shopping habits.The study aims to deepen understanding of the factors influencing the adoption of digital payment systems in India and their shopping habits. . effect on consumer behavior. It reveals the motivations for using digital payments, identifies potential changes in spending patterns, and provides insight into the changing consumer landscape. In addition, this study aims to inform decision-makers, financial institutions and businesses that want to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the digital payment revolution. Keywords Cashless Economy, UPI, Digital Payments, online Banking, Convenience, Security