Online Retail Stores Research Articles

دوافع استخدام المستهلكين لتطبيقات متاجر التجزئة الإلكترونية المدعومة بتقنيات الذكاء الاصطناعي وانعكاسها على نيتهم الشرائية: دراسة مسحية على عينة من المستهلكين بدولة الإمارات

The proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has revolutionized business. Simultaneously, marketers have benefited tremendously from this technology, which has enhanced digital marketing capacities. This is achieved by AI analyzing individual consumer data and purchasing behavior to target specific products that suit personal preferences, which improves online shopping experiences, increases opportunities to communicate and interact, as well as increases customer satisfaction and loyalty. Concurrently, these profound technological changes have also altered the shopping and purchasing habits of consumers. Therefore, the study explores consumer motives as it pertains to using online retail store applications supported by AI technologies and the impact on purchasing intentions. The study developed a model to monitor the relationship between a user and technology. The model specifically examined ease of use, perceived usefulness, and perceived enjoyment while using selected applications and the potential influence on purchase intention. The research was conducted in the United Arab Emirates and had a sample of three hundred and fifty Arab users. The research reveals correlation relating to ease of use, usefulness, and perceived enjoyment of using the technology as a positive influence onconsumer attitudes and purchasing intentions. Moreover, no statistically significant differences were found among demographic variables (e.g., gender, marital status, age, and educational level). Meanwhile, statistically significant differences were identified between among individual variables (e.g., nationality, income, and occupation).

Data analytics for visualization of business insights for an online retail store using Python

In today’s world, data is becoming an organization's most important asset. Businesses have easy access to large amounts of data from a range of sources, and when those data are processed quickly and reliably, the chances of obtaining useful insights to inform data-driven decision-making are significantly increased. Modern corporate strategy must include data analytics because it offers critical insights that improve operational efficiency and decision-making. Using data analytics to visualize company insights can significantly improve a number of areas for an online retail store, including marketing strategy, customer experience, inventory management, and sales. This paper aims a thorough examination at the main areas, methods, and approaches that may be used to delve into business insights using data analytics, as well as the advantages it has for online retailers using a sample online retail dataset.. Keywords: Data Analytics, Data Visualization, Inventory, Sales Analysis, Descriptive Analytics.

Building the Lands’ End digital asset management content hub

Founded in 1963, Lands’ End is a digital retailer of clothing and home products available through online marketplaces and retail stores. In 2019, the company transitioned to a new enterprise digital asset management solution for its in-progress and final assets. This paper summarises how the new system has expanded into a content hub for a wide variety of digital assets, including images, video, catalogue pages, e-mails and integrations with enterprise systems, and describes the challenges, benefits and opportunities.

The Impact of Online Word of Mouth (e-WOM) on End-User Purchasing Intentions: A Study on e-WOM Channels’ Effects on the Saudi Hospitality Market

In this paper, we study the relationship between electronic word of mouth (e-WOM), brand perceptions, and consumer purchase intentions in the Saudi hospitality market via an extensive questionnaire design using a five-point Likert scale. A total of 410 respondents from the central, western, and eastern regions of Saudi Arabia were chosen using the convenience sampling technique. The structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis using SPSS AMOS 26 software showed that e-WOM via social media, online retail stores, brand-owned media, and influencers positively affects perceived brand quality, which leads to increased purchase intentions. The model showed an R-squared of 0.579, indicating that e-WOM explains about 57.9% of the variation in perceived brand quality. In particular, e-WOM through social media and influencers has been established as a strong factor in predicting perceptions of brand quality. This study reveals that learning the nuances and strategic management of e-WOM channels is key to improving brand perceptions and consumer purchase behavior in the Saudi hospitality market in the digital age.

Role of E-Shopping Orientation and Trust in predicting Impulsive Buying Behaviour

Impulse Buying and the drivers of similar consumer behaviours have captured the interest of researchers for quite some time now. The construct was first explored in the context of offline or brick and mortar stores. However, with the growing popularity of online retail stores has led to the concept being included in studies on customer behaviour, specifically in the online context. In the current study, the researchers attempt to contribute to literature on customer behaviour in the online environment by exploring the relationship between E-Shopping Orientation, Trust and Impulsive Buying Behaviour. The focus of the currents study is the members of Generation Y. The scope was limited to this specific section, given that each generation differs from the other in terms of their behaviour, needs and drivers. While the direct impact of E-shopping Orientation on Impulsive Buying Behaviour was found to be not statistically significant, the indirect effect was found to be significant. This suggests that Trust fully mediates the relationship between E-Shopping Orientation and Impulsive Buying Behaviour. In addition to contributing to literature in the area of customer behaviour, the findings also add to our understanding of a major section of the Indian customer base.

Presenting Innovative Solutions in Response to Variety-Seeking Behavior in Online Retail Customers

Objective: Owners and managers of online retail stores, along with researchers, consistently strive to identify success factors in the online retail domain. One significant factor in the success of online retail stores is attention to consumer behavior. The aim of this research was to present innovative solutions for recognizing variety-seeking behavior in online retail customers. Methodology: This study was applied-descriptive and of the survey type. The research was conducted in two stages. Initially, innovation criteria were extracted from the literature, followed by an examination of the criteria's impact intensity and the causal relationships between them using the DEMATEL technique and MATLAB software, with the tool of pairwise comparison matrices. Findings: The results of the study demonstrated that product innovation, service innovation, process innovation, innovation in online services, and innovation in tools play an effective role in the variety-seeking behavior of online retail customers. Furthermore, the results specified that product innovation, tools and equipment, processes, online services, and after-sales services have the most significant impact on the variety-seeking behavior of customers, in that order. Conclusion: Given the results of the study, it seems that the use of ideation, innovation, creativity in production, presentation, and sale in online retail is essential. In other words, it is necessary for manufacturers of goods and service providers to use new and innovative ideas in the production and presentation of goods and services to be an appropriate response to the needs and variety-seeking behavior of customers.

The Impact of Sensory Marketing: Analysis of its Attributes Towards Online Perfum Users’ Behavior

Purpose: The tendency of consumers to purchase online today is enormous and requires the role of sensory marketing in providing a positive and memorable experience to all. In addition, since sensory marketing whether in online or offline settings can unconsciously govern shoppers’ judgement and purchase behavior, this paper aims to understand how multi-sensory information processing in the online environment is diverted from offline in the cosmetic perfume industry by leveraging previous research to analyze its effect on offline stores and emphasizing the present study on online retail stores. Theoretical framework: The research study conducted by Petit et al. (2019) attempts to explore more about digital sensory marketing and multisensory technologies. However, offline and online settings would have different effects and since perfume products require the use of our senses, there would be obstacles that prevent us from using our senses when sold online. This requires us to understand sensory marketing in the online shopping environment. Design/Methodology/Approach: This paper uses an exploratory study approach to gain in-depth understanding of the topic. The qualitative study is essentially built on primary data sources, through naturalistic observation and semi-structured interviews with 9 Generation Z individuals who are Indonesian citizens and have undertaken frequent perfume purchases online. A snowball sampling method was used in finding respondents for this study while interview results were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings: The paper highlights the significant impact of sensory marketing through the use of sensorial cues, sensorial attributes, and individual differences in sensory perception. Ethical considerations when utilizing sensory marketing are also being emphasized throughout this study. Research, Practical & Social implications: Results of this study can encourage future research to help bring benefits for website/internet site designers, content managers, online perfume retailers, as well as academicians in general. Originality/Value: This paper draws attention to the growing use of online channels by cosmetic perfume industry actors and sheds light on the importance of sensory marketing practices in affecting online user behavior by answering what and how questions using exploratory studies.

Variability of Commercial Saw Palmetto–Based Supplements for the Management of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia/Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

ABSTRACT Purpose: Some men with mild-to-moderate benign prostatic hyperplasia/lower urinary tract symptoms use saw palmetto supplements to proactively manage their symptoms as an alternative to watchful waiting and/or to avoid prescription medication side effects. This study assessed the potency and authenticity of commercially available saw palmetto–based supplements in the United States. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight saw palmetto berry powders, powdered extracts, berry blends, lipid extracts, and multiactive products (lycopene, pumpkin oil, etc) were purchased from major online retailers and retail stores. Total fatty acid content (% weight/weight) and individual fatty acid profile of each product were determined using validated gas chromatography-fatty acid methyl ester methodology and compared with the US Pharmacopeia monograph standards for lipidosterolic extracts of Serenoa repens. Results: Total fatty acid content ranged from 0.796% for a berry powder product to 89.923% for a lipid extract product. None of the berry powders or powdered extracts, 6 of 9 lipid extracts, and 1 multiactive product met criteria for ≥80% total fatty acid content. Only 1 of the 28 products met the US Pharmacopeia criteria for a standardized lipidosterolic extract, defined as total fatty acid content ≥80% and a fatty acid profile indicative of authentic S. repens based on the ratios of the lauric acid concentration to 9 other individual fatty acid concentrations. Conclusions: There is substantial heterogeneity in fatty acid content and profile in saw palmetto supplements. Lipidosterolic extracts of saw palmetto berries standardized to ≥80% fatty acids are most likely to meet established criteria for quality and identity.

Do extrinsic factors encourage shoppers’ compulsive buying? Store environment and product characteristics

PurposeThe study examines the extrinsic variables, namely store environment, promotional activities (PA), product features and stimulation factors that encourage compulsive purchasing in emerging markets.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected from customers with recent compulsive shopping experiences at an online retail store. This study collected 469 original survey responses employing purposive sampling and data analyzed with covariance-based structural equation modeling and used segmentation analysis.FindingsThe study results indicated that extrinsic (stimulus) factors, such as shop environment, PA and stimulation factors positively impacted shoppers’ impulsive buying tendency (IBT), whereas product characteristics did not affect shoppers’ IBT. Similarly, IBT (organism) influenced compulsive purchase, as did a favorable mediating relationship between extrinsic factors (stimulus factors) and shoppers’ compulsive purchase (response factor). Moreover, segmentation results showed that female consumers had more IBT and compulsive buying behavior than male respondents.Originality/valueThis research adds to the corpus of information concerning impulsive and compulsive buying behavior. As this study incorporates the Stimulus-Organism-Response paradigm, new findings emerge; using this paradigm allows for the testing of new linkages to better understand consumers’ impulsive and compulsive behavior.

A STUDY ON THE INFLUENCE OF FAST FASHION ON THE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF BHOPAL CITY

From the idea of being swanky at an affordable cost to wearing the most flattering outfit from the latest fashion week, fast fashion has paved the way for fashionistas. Over the last twenty years apparel industry has never seen a setback whether inflation or deflation, demonetization, G.S.T. implementation, or a pandemic the industry has a record of its most remarkable journey from fashion to fast fashion and now from fast fashion to ultra-fast fashion. In capturing the minds and wardrobes of the mass population, especially the youth, fashion houses have been successful in introducing cheap, trendy, and affordable clothing lines through their online and traditional retail stores, along with digital marketing. The increased clothing expenditure has also led to fast fashion creating a huge economic impact. Since the growth in the apparel market has been witnessed faster than in the global economy, it is responsible for the recent economic growth (on average 4.78%) and future growth (5.90% in the next three years) of the apparel industry. The study also focuses on the desires of the students to keep pace with trends at all times under some social influences. But since everything comes at a cost, the idea of disposable clothing has created a huge negative impact on our environment.

Exploring the Role of Gamification in the Online Shopping Experience in Retail Stores: An Exploratory Study

Online retail shops increasingly implement gamified marketing strategies to enrich consumers’ online experience and increase engagement. This study aims to evaluate the ludic experience of consumers in online retail stores and the role of gamification and game mechanics in changing the online shopping experience. It seeks to assess, through a qualitative methodology, based on an exploratory study approach obtained through 30 interviews with Portuguese consumers, whether consumers have playful experiences when shopping in online retail shops and whether the introduction of game mechanics changes this experience by generating co-creation. The results show that online shopping can be playful and generate positive emotional benefits. However, gamification in online retail shops is not guided by a co-creation process, nor do game mechanics create greater online consumer engagement. There is a need to review how gamification is introduced in online retail shops, and strategies should be designed to co-create experience value and brand co-creation. This study is original, as it contributes to developing knowledge about gamification in the context of the online retail experience. Studies on this topic are scarce, and this study contributes to filling that gap.

The acquirements of e-service quality in fashion e-storescapes: mediating effect in an S-O-R model

PurposeThis study aims to determine the effects of e-service quality (e-SQ) in fashion e-storescapes (online retail store environments) on e-customer citizenship behaviour (e-CCB) and e-repurchase intention (e-RI), as well as to investigate whether e-CCB plays a mediating role in these relations.Design/methodology/approachIn line with the aim of this study, the relationships between the variables were examined by using the mediation effect analysis within the framework of a Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) model. An online survey was developed based on the scales with proven reliability and validity. The convenience sampling method on social media sites was used to collect data for analysis from 500 volunteer participants who had previously shopped online for fashion brands between 1st and 30th September 2020. The partial least squares (PLS) path analysis method was used to analyse the research model.FindingsThis study revealed that the dimensions of e-SQ, except e-efficiency and e-privacy, have positive effects on all dimensions of e-CCB. Concurrently, this study identified that the dimensions of e-CCB have positive effects on e-RI. Subsequently, the study determined that the dimensions of e-CCB played a full mediator role between the dimensions of e-SQ and e-RI.Research limitations/implicationsThe primary limitation of this study is that the study is based on the perceptions of fashion e-customers about the customers' e-tailing (online retailing) experiences, which is only reached via the convenience sampling method.Practical implicationsIn this study, the positive relationships between e-CCB and e-RI were accepted as the acquirements of e-SQ in fashion e-storescapes. In this context, the reasons for fashion customers to repurchase from an e-storescape are not only low prices and product variety, but also the exhibition of extra-role behaviours in the form of e-SQ acquirements. These implications, which will attract the attention of fashion e-tailers, may enable the e-tailers to modify the e-SQ of e-tailers' e-storescapes based on customer feedback.Originality/valueThis study is unique as the study draws on the S-O-R theory to provide insight into the stimulus effect of e-storescape e-SQ on the mediating role of e-CCB. The current study is expected to contribute to the literature by highlighting the reasons for changes in consumption attitudes, intentions and behaviours amongst customers that prefer e-tailing for fashion apparel shopping.

Utilising the Surging Potential of E-commerce: A Case of Hour Glass Supply Chain

Decade of nineties saw two significant developments with far reaching implications; bringing down of iron curtain and the exponential growth of “Internet”. However, the impact of the latter has been phenomenal. It would not be wrong to say that Internet has redesigned the way we live and undertake economic activities. Ever since the launch of Windows 95 and Intel Pentium chip, the Internet has grown at an exponential rate, never witnessed before in any industry. At the turn of the century as many as 387 million people were hooked to Internet [UNCTAD (2003), p. 2]. As this bubble of Internet expanded, it started engulfing every aspect of life and business. The sheer difference of processes on Internet resulted in new terms as e-commerce and e-business to be coined up. In five years since 1995, Internet grew from simple information searching to controlling under sea robots. The biggest market penetration however, has been online retail stores and business to business (B2B) commerce. Online shopping has its potential because of its easy access by the customers and B2B commerce has its attraction in the savings achieved by implementing e-processes. Another advantage of doing business on Internet is the audit trail, with which any dubious transactions, from anywhere in the world could be traced back to its originator.

A Shapley Value Index for Market Basket Analysis: Efficient Computation Using an Harsanyi Dividend Representation

Market basket analysis (MBA) aims to discover purchasing patterns and item associations from customer transaction data. A major drawback of current techniques for MBA is a lack of quantitative metrics to measure the real value associated with basket items. This paper addresses this gap by deriving a practical game-theoretic measure for MBA based on the Shapley value of cooperative games, which we call Shapley value index for MBA (SIMBA). The SIMBA of an item represents the average revenue it earns, including its influence on the revenue earned from sales of other items. A significant challenge when applying Shapley value-inspired approaches in practical domains is the exponential complexity of Shapley value computation. However, for the MBA domain, we show that SIMBA admits a scalable exact computation method that does not require sampling or other approximations. Specifically, a characteristic function for the MBA game is constructed so that the transaction dataset input corresponds to the game’s Harsanyi dividends. The relationship between Harsanyi dividends and the Shapley value is then exploited to efficiently compute SIMBA. This approach scales linearly in the number of transactions, making SIMBA a feasible approach for quantitative MBA. SIMBA can be used to screen conventional MBA techniques, such as association rules, to identify significant rules based on the items’ cross-selling capacity. This combination of existing MBA methods and SIMBA will generate rules based not only on frequency of co-occurrence, but also on the significance of the items. We demonstrate the working of the algorithm by analyzing openly available transaction data from an online retail store. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time Shapley value is used in this way to solve market basket analyses of a practical size.

The Moderating Effect of Customer Trust on the Interaction between Strategic Innovation and Business Outcomes of Selected Online Retail Stores in Lagos State, Nigeria

Business outcomes are fundamental to business continuity. Given the contributions that online retail stores have made in most developing and developed countries of the world by reducing buyers' stress, saving shoppers' time, and increasing sales and profits faster compared to traditional stores. However, the online retail stores' business outcomes are challenged by low management satisfaction, a decline in market size, market share, reduced competitiveness, and a reduced survival rate, which are probably due to the inadequate application of strategic innovation. Hence this study examined the moderating effect of customer trust on the interaction between strategic innovation and business outcomes of selected online retail stores in Lagos State, Nigeria. Survey research design was adopted. The population was 325 management and technical staff of six selected online retail stores in Lagos State, Nigeria. Total remuneration method was adopted and a sample size of 298 was found usable. A multistage sampling technique was adopted. A structured and validated questionnaire was adopted for data collection. Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficients for the constructs ranged from 0.662 to 0.922. The response rate was 91.6%. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential (multiple and hierarchical regression) statistics. Findings revealed that the effect of strategic innovation on business outcomes of the selected online retail stores in Lagos State, Nigeria was moderated by customer trust (β = -0.504, ΔR2 = 0.003, ΔF = 21.527, p = .000). The study concluded that strategic innovation dimensions affect the business outcome of the selected online retail stores in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study recommended that Online Retail Stores owners and managers should practice strategic innovation as well as promote customer trust so as to ultimately increase their business outcomes and achieve sustained market leadership. Keywords: Strategic innovation, Technological resources, Process innovation, Customer trust, Business outcomes.

Consumer's Behaviour while Purchasing Apparels in Sale Period

Consumer behaviour study is an effort to comprehend the buying pattern of the final consumer. Consumer's frequency of purchase and buying habits depict how sellers and marketers are promoting their product and luring customers time and again through their attractive sales promotion deals. Brain finds pleasure in the pursuit of inexpensive, and by tapping on the same idea, sellers are introducing repeat sales and low price deals along with added benefits to make their customers loyal towards them, thereby making the competition between physical and online retail store fierce day by day. This study examines the impact of influential determinants of consumer's buying decision for clothes during sales with respect to various demographic variables. The comprehensive study analyzed factors that affect the purchase of apparels from physical and/or online retail store. The result also provides deeper insight into different forms of sales customers prefer while searching for the best deal. It helps in understanding consumer's buying habits and making consumer's experience economical and memorable. It is ideal for marketers and sellers to take into consideration the fact that demographic variables are the underlying determinants to cater to customers' needs and wants, and in order to meticulously understand the habits of customers, it should be carefully administered to be able to let customers' repeat their purchase of apparels from physical and/or online retail store.

Impact of retailing technology during business shutdown

PurposeThis study explores the causes and effects of technology usefulness on shopping behavior of consumers in Mexico by measuring inter-relationships between the constructs of shopping with new-normal following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) business shutdown and online retail technology.Design/methodology/approachThis study has been conducted in six online retail stores with the online survey of 342 buyers in Mexico. Data have been analyzed using two regression models with dependent variables, perceived usefulness of technology and buying decision of customers. Multiple correlations across the variables were computed.FindingsResults of this study reveal that as customers found higher ease of use of online shopping, they perceived higher usefulness of online retailing technology. The perceived quality of retailing website positively influences impulsive buying behavior of customers. The study observed that increase in coupon promotions has positively enhanced the perceived buying impulsiveness of consumers in online stores. The perceived usefulness of online redemption of coupons has also positively benefited the attitude of customers toward buying.Research limitations/implicationsOnline shopping has attracted a large section of customers during the COVID-19 business shutdown, and peer interactions have motivated them to experience the retailing technology of virtual stores. This study offers important insights for managers working in the retailing industries. Online strategies of retailers with unified customer experiences during the pandemic and business shutdown has provided extensive online retail space.Practical implicationsManagers of virtual retail stores need to build their business on customer-centric propositions, encourage 3D visions of products, develop “do-it-yourself” kiosks with augmented reality technology and enhance the value-based online business model. Online retailers need to prioritize developing an easy to navigate and quality website with comprehensive product information and instant messaging facilities over the sales promotion strategies. Online retailers need to establish quick response (QR) technology to improve the ease of use for navigation.Originality/valueThis study finds out the perceived usefulness in using online retail technology, and how customers have experienced it as a single wide option during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Does the digitalization of retailing disrupt consumers’ attachment to retail places?

This study breaks new ground in the marketing domain by extending the concept of place attachment to the study of the online retail environment. We provide empirical evidence that consumers can establish strong attachments not only with traditional offline places but also with online retail stores. Moreover, we assessed how distinct dimensions of the place affect the formation of consumers’ attachment and their behavioral loyalty. Our findings show that while consumers who feel a strong sense of attachment toward the place engage in spreading positive word-of-mouth regardless of the environment, their attachment to the store does not prevent them from switching to another provider, especially in the online environment.

An interdisciplinary research between analyzing customer segmentation in marketing and machine learning method

Customer segmentation is one of the key factors in managing customers and building the appropriate marketing strategies. Segmenting customer groups will help managers understand the characteristics of their customers or consumer behaviors, thereby reaching the right target customers, retaining customers (Customer Retention), increasing revenue and competitive advantages of the business. However, finding the right customer groups is a challenge that businesses need to solve on a solid and reliable basis. Along with the support from current technology solutions such as Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and the application of algorithms and methods including both qualitative and quantitative research to enable businesses to cluster customer groups in marketing analysis. This article concentrates on introducing a hybrid model that combines RFM (Recency, Frequency, Monetary) and Machine Learning to analyze customer segmentation. The study was conducted through an empirical method on a dataset with 541,909 transactions of online retail stores, clustering 5 customer segments with the characteristics of each cluster being tested for quality demonstrating the effectiveness and applicability of the study.

РИНОК E-COMMERCE: МАРКЕТИНГОВИЙ АНАЛІЗ ЗДОБУТКІВ ТА НАПРЯМІВ РОЗВИТКУ

The article studies the situation and the determination of current trends in the e-commerce market in the world and in Ukraine. Empirical data on the global e-commerce market are taken as a basis and are analysed in terms of size, structure, regional distribution, concentration in market segments. Authors conducted the international ranking of achievements of leading countries in terms of retail e-commerce sales, by type of e-commerce (B2B, B2C) and the ranking of global companies in the e-commerce segment by gross value of goods (GMV). The global retail trade has undergone significant changes due to the constant digitalization of modern business and public life and according to global forecasts for 2025, the total share of e-commerce in retail sales will reach 25%. Significant increase in e-commerce has occurred in both the B2C segment and the B2B segment. Authors revealed that the introduction of social distancing, quarantine and other restrictive measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has led to fundamental changes in the structure of global demand and online shopping. Authors have analysed the dynamics of the distribution of sales in the retail segment of e-commerce in the ten leading countries. The United States and China together account for more than 40 percent of all e-commerce sales to both consumers and businesses worldwide, and three of the five largest e-commerce markets are in Asia. Authors determined that the leading e-commerce companies in the B2C segment are mainly based in China and the United States. Online shopping websites have the largest share of online shopping in the world, with Amazon being the undisputed leader in the global ranking of online retail stores in terms of traffic. Authors also note that one of the global trends in e-commerce is the use of mobile devices (m-commerce). The main factors of perspective growth of mobile commerce are determined. The variation of consumer costs by e-commerce by product categories is studied. Authors concluded that the changes in the e-commerce environment are likely to be long-term, given the new waves of the pandemic, the convenience of new consumer shopping habits, saving time, training costs and incentives for companies to gain competitive advantage from investing in new sales channels.