Popular Brands Research Articles

Synthesis, Characterization, and Toxicity Studies of Azo Dye Ligand for Metal Assessment in Different Brands of Lipsticks in Iraq

This research project focuses on the synthesis and characterization of a novel azo ligand, 4- CMBP, derived from 2-amino-6-methylbenzothiazole, and its complexes with Co(III) and Ni(II) ions. The study aims to investigate the structural and biological properties of the ligand and its complexes, with a particular emphasis on their potential applications in environmental and health sectors. The ligand and its complexes were characterized using techniques such as melting point measurements, nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, elemental analysis, atomic absorption spectroscopy, molar conductivity, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Biological activities were evaluated through the removal percentages of Co(III) and Ni(II) from eleven popular brands of lipsticks in the Iraqi market, antimicrobial screening against bacteria and fungi, in silico ADMET predictions, and anticancer activity tests in human liver cancer cell lines. Characterization confirmed the successful synthesis of the ligand and the formation of octahedral complexes with Co(III) and Ni(II) ions. The analysis revealed nickel concentrations ranging from 0.36 to 3.08 ppm, with varying safety implications. Antimicrobial screening showed promising activity, and in silico predictions indicated favorable oral bioavailability. The ligand and its complexes exhibited significant anticancer activity against liver cancer cell lines. The study successfully synthesized and characterized the azo ligand 4-CMBP and its metal complexes, highlighting their intriguing geometries and promising biological activities, with potential applications in environmental remediation, antimicrobial agents, and anticancer therapeutics.

Gotta take my avatar shopping: impacts of interactive virtual shopping in esports

PurposeEsports game developers are incorporating interactive virtual shopping (IVS) experiences into their products to facilitate consumer–brand interactions. Despite the potential influence of IVS, existing research lacks an understanding of its impact on consumers’ overall affect– particularly game enjoyment, a critical factor in sustaining engagement with esports products – and on attitudinal change toward brands in the real world.Design/methodology/approachAn experiment was designed to examine the impact of shopping in the virtually interactive esports marketplace on game enjoyment. Mediating effects of positive change in brand attitude, perceived realism and character attachment and the moderating effect of self-avatar gender congruity were investigated using SPSS PROCESS Macro. Additionally, the impact of brand popularity on the relationship between IVS and brand attitude was examined using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).FindingsThere was a positive impact of IVS on game enjoyment, mediated by a positive change in brand attitude, perceived realism and character attachment. Self-avatar gender congruity moderated the mediation effect of perceived realism. Notably, less popular brands exhibited a greater change in brand attitude compared to more popular brands.Originality/valueThe findings add to the body of literature on esports, particularly in investigating the role of IVS within the esports virtual world and advancing research on cognitive appraisal theory. This study informs practitioners in the esports industry about the value of creating interactive virtual marketplaces, as they serve to benefit sponsoring brands and enhance game enjoyment for players.

Social media influencer marketing: the role of influencer type, brand popularity, and consumers’ need for uniqueness

The present study investigates how the type of social media influencer based on follower count (i.e. macro or micro-influencer) and the popularity of a brand that the influencer endorses affect consumers’ purchase intentions for the endorsed brand. Results of four experimental studies demonstrate that consumers are more likely to purchase a more (less) popular brand when it is endorsed by a macro(micro)-influencer, because a macro(micro)-influencer is perceived as more congruent with the endorsement of a more (less) popular brand. Results further show that the higher effectiveness of a macro(micro)-influencer for a more (less) popular brand endorsement only holds for consumers who have a low need for uniqueness. Theoretical contributions and managerial relevance of the results are discussed.

Impact of Brand and Testing Method on Coffee Taste Perception between Genders: A Comparative Study of Two Leading Coffee Brands in Taiwan

Coffee is one of the world’s most widely enjoyed beverages and is sold by numerous global coffee brands; however, few studies have investigated how brand information affects the perceived tastes of consumers. This study employed three testing methods and subjective scoring to evaluate perceived coffee tastes associated with two popular coffee brands in Taiwan. Thirty young men and thirty young women were asked to drink Starbucks and 7-Eleven Americanos and then report their perceived preference levels under three method-related conditions (i.e., blind test [BT], correct brand information [CI], and incorrect brand information [II]). The analysis of variance results revealed that all the main variables’ effects on taste scores were nonsignificant and that the gender and brand variables interactively and individually affected the scores with the employed method. The overall taste score of the men was significantly higher than that of the women under the BT condition. Under the CI condition, women had a significantly higher preference for Starbucks Americano than for 7-Eleven Americano; this result was reversed under the BT condition. These findings suggest that the perceived taste of the female participants was influenced by the assimilation effect of coffee brands; however, this phenomenon was not observed in the male participants. This outcome can be attributed to the more sensitive taste of women relative to men. These insights are valuable for understanding the behavior of coffee consumers and for crafting effective service strategies tailored to coffee brand operators.

Prevalence and characteristics of microplastic contamination in soft drinks and potential consumer exposure.

Microplastics (MPs) contamination in human food is a growing concern due to potential health risks. Recent studies have indicated that MPs have been found in various human tissues and organs, including the placenta, lungs, liver, and blood. This highlights the importance of investigating the presence and concentration of MPs in food products, as it directly relates to human health and safety. In this study, MP contamination was detected and characterized in commercially available soft drinks in Thailand. Nine popular soft drink brands in Thailand, packaged in different materials, including plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and glass bottles, were investigated. The results revealed that regardless of packaging type, all the soft drink brands tested contained MPs, with concentrations ranging from 2±3 to 39±12 items per liter. MPs in the 50-100μm size range, primarily with a fragment-like morphology, were most commonly found. Given that the average person in Thailand consumes approximately 41.13L of soft drinks annually, it is estimated that an individual could ingest between 81 and 1609MPs yearly. These findings raise significant concerns about the potential health impacts of MP ingestion through soft drinks and underscore the need for further research and regulation.

A Study on Consumer Behavior in the Context of Economic Downturn and the Analysis and Optimization of Marketing Strategies for “New Chinese” Milk Tea: A Case Study of CHAGEE

CHAGEE opened over 3,500 stores in just six years, with more than 2,000 of them launched in 2023 alone. In contrast, Heytea took 12 years to surpass 3,000 stores. This rapid expansion leveraged consumer herd behavior and strategic marketing approaches during economic downturns. this studyemploys the AISAS marketing theory and Nash equilibrium to analyze product homogenization, added value, and how Ba Wang Cha Ji transitioned from being perceived as a “follower” or “copycat” to becoming a wildly popular Chinese-style milk tea brand. The study will also offer optimization and improvement strategies for Ba Wang Cha Ji’s marketing operations.

Beyond Juul: The New Face of Underage Nicotine Addiction - A Survey of College Students.

Youth nicotine addiction is a major public health concern in the United States. Disposable Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), or disposable vapes, are commonly sought out by youth despite not having received premarket authorization from the FDA. The objective of this study was to identify factors contributing to underage consumption of disposable ENDS. An anonymous survey was deployed to college students to understand young adults' perceptions and patterns of use of disposable ENDS. Disposable ENDS are very popular among youth. The results of this study revealed the popular brands, flavors, modes of access, and attractive aspects of disposable ENDS. Survey results combined with information from the literature reveal that disposable ENDS gained popularity in the years following the decline in the popularity of pod-based ENDS, such as JUUL, following strict regulatory action from the FDA. To ultimately address underage nicotine addiction, the FDA must hold disposable ENDS to the same regulatory standards as other tobacco products and produce regulations specifically targeted at disposable ENDS. The results of this study emphasize the importance of making effective regulatory reform and functional educational resources to prevent young people from initiating the use of disposable ENDS.

ANALISIS STRATEGI PEMASARAN DAN KUALITAS LAYANAN TERHADAP PENGALAMAN PELANGGAN (STUDI KASUS MIE GACOAN CABANG VIKTOR)

Mie Gacoan, one of Indonesia's popular noodle restaurant brands, has attracted consumer attention by offering innovative food products, affordable prices, and a unique restaurant concept. This study analyses marketing strategies and service quality implementation in the customer experience at the Mie Gacoan Victor branch. This research uses a quantitative method. The data analysis method employs descriptive statistical analysis. The analysis method is based on data from 23 respondents who have purchased products from the Mie Gacoan Victor branch. The research results show that marketing strategies do not have a significant partial effect on customer experience. Meanwhile, service quality shows a significant effect on customer experience. Simultaneously, marketing strategies and service quality significantly affect the customer experience at the Mie Gacoan Victor branch.

Soft Power Strategies for Lifestyle Fashion Brands: A Case Study Comparing Fashion Brands in South Korea and Thailand

The soft power strategies for fashion lifestyle brands are examined in this comparative case study between South Korean and Thai fashion brands, using the 5P’s framework: Product, Price, Place, Promotion, and People. The study reveals that a critical factor contributing to the success of South Korean fashion brands is the strong collaboration between the public and private sectors. The government allocates budgets and establishes central agencies to support brand image building through entertainment media, such as music, films, and TV dramas. By using well-known artists and actors to promote products, South Korean brands foster consumer motivation and widespread brand popularity. Additionally, South Korea emphasizes the importance of small entrepreneurs by providing them with display spaces, offering affordable pricing, and promoting product quality. On the other hand, Thai fashion brands stand out for their product diversity and ability to meet domestic market demands. They effectively create a brand image through logos and branding, leading to their popularity in the mass market. Their moderate pricing strategy makes them accessible to a wide audience. However, Thai brands face challenges in reaching the global market due to a lack of consistent support from the government and insufficient collaboration with the private sector. Unclear government funding and the inability to integrate products with internationally recognized artists or entertainment media limit Thai brands' global potential. With more robust support, Thai brands could enhance their identity and achieve greater international recognition.

Implementation of Business Intelligence In Planet Helmet Cilacap Sales

Helmets are used to anticipate serious injuries when traffic accidents occur. In several cities and villages, various helmet businesses have begun to emerge. The increasing number of residents and motorized vehicles in Indonesia provides business opportunities in the helmet business. The increasingly competitive business market challenges companies to be able to adapt to changing market conditions and diverse buyer needs. For this reason, companies must be able to respond quickly and accurately, consider the costs incurred to remain conducive, and have a strategy in decision-making that can provide solutions to changes in the current market situation to survive in the long term. Therefore, companies must be able to respond quickly and accurately, consider the costs incurred to remain conducive, and have a strategy in decision-making so that companies can survive in the long term. The implementation of business intelligence in this study uses the Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) method, namely the use of Extraction Transformation Loading (ETL), creating a data warehouse, analyzing data for users and user interfaces in the form of information visualization using the Laravel framework. Planet Helm currently needs to manage its sales data visualization digitally. This is an obstacle for leaders in managing inventory needs, and helmet sales are less effective and efficient, requiring the digitalization of web-based business intelligence management. The results of this study are in the form of a dashboard display consisting of a minimum of 7 stock widgets, average monthly sales, popular brand graphs, and monthly sales graphs.

The Role of Business Ethics and Azarine Brand Popularity in Building Consumer Trust

This study investigates the interplay between business ethics and brand popularity in shaping consumer trust, focusing on the Azarine brand within the beauty industry. Maintaining consumer trust is vital for business development and sustainability in an increasingly competitive market. Business ethics encompasses principles such as transparency, honesty, and corporate responsibility, which are crucial for fostering consumer trust. The research highlights a recent incident involving Azarine, where allegations of over-claiming product efficacy led to significant consumer skepticism, despite the brand's strong market presence. Through a qualitative approach, data were collected from students at the Faculty of Economics, Universitas Negeri Medan, via questionnaires designed to elicit opinions on the impact of business ethics and brand popularity on consumer trust. The findings indicate that while brand popularity can attract initial consumer interest, long-term trust heavily relies on ethical practices and product quality. Respondents unanimously agreed that adherence to ethical standards is fundamental in building and maintaining consumer trust, particularly in the beauty sector where product claims directly impact health and safety. The study reveals that ethical violations, such as misleading product claims, can severely damage consumer confidence. Many respondents indicated they would discontinue using Azarine products due to the over-claim incident, viewing transparency and honesty as essential criteria for selecting beauty products. However, a small number expressed willingness to give the brand a second chance, contingent upon Azarine taking responsibility for its actions and improving transparency in its communications. Conversely, while brand popularity can serve as an initial draw, the study concludes that it is insufficient to sustain consumer trust in the face of ethical breaches. Respondents noted a decline in Azarine's popularity following the incident, emphasizing that a brand’s reputation is not solely built on recognition but also on ethical integrity. Ultimately, this research underscores the necessity for brands like Azarine to enhance their ethical standards and transparency to rebuild consumer trust and maintain a competitive edge. Recommendations for future research include exploring the relationship between product quality, innovation, and consumer trust in greater depth. By understanding these dynamics, companies can develop more effective strategies that align ethical practices with consumer expectations, thereby fostering long-term relationships built on trust and credibility

FROM PLEASURE TO PERIL: EXAMINING THE TOXIC AND POTENTIAL CARCINOGENIC IMPLICATIONS OF PREMIUM PAN MASALA CONSUMPTION

Objective: This study aims to assess the phytochemical composition and toxicity profile of pan masala, with and without tobacco, through cellular toxicity analysis. The specific objectives are to analyze the cytotoxicity of pan masala extracts on fibroblast and keratinocyte cells and to investigate DNA fragmentation and apoptosis induced by these products. Methods: Two popular brands of pan masala, one with and one without tobacco, were selected for phytochemical and toxicity evaluation. Aqueous extracts of both products were tested on mice fibroblast cells for cytotoxicity analysis. In addition, keratinocyte cell lines were employed to assess DNA fragmentation and apoptosis through standard molecular assays. Results: The study revealed a significant increase in toxicity in both types of pan masala. Pan masala extracts caused marked cytotoxic effects on fibroblast cells and induced DNA fragmentation and apoptosis in keratinocytes. These toxicological impacts were observed in both tobacco-containing and tobacco-free samples, with heightened damage noted in the presence of tobacco. Conclusion: The findings confirm that pan masala, with or without tobacco, has substantial cytotoxic effects, posing serious risks to normal cellular functions. Both varieties are implicated in DNA damage and apoptosis, underscoring the urgent need for public health interventions to reduce the consumption of these products due to their potential to cause severe oral and systemic health issues.

The Mechanism Underlying the Increase in Bread Hardness in Association with Alterations in Protein and Starch Characteristics During Room-Temperature Storage.

Hardness constitutes one of the primary performance indices of bread. However, there is scarce literature regarding the study of the mechanisms of increased hardness in different breads. In this paper, the hardness and retrogradation rates of five popular brands of bread (DaliGarden, Mankattan, MianLunSi, TOLY, and ZhengMao) in China during storage at room temperature were determined, and the mechanism of increased hardness was revealed by the results in terms of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), disulfide bonds, 13C solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results showed that the sequence for the degree of hardness increase among the five bread brands was DaliGarden > TOLY >Mankattan > MianLunSi > ZhengMao. The bread hardness was likely associated with the gliadin content; the more gliadin, the higher the hardness of the bread. All bread hardness values underwent a rapid increase during storage at room temperature. The hardness level of the bread preferred by Chinese individuals was approximately 105 g, and the hardness of the TOLY bread underwent relatively minor changes during storage at room temperature. The disulfide bond content of all breads apart from Mankattan decreased during storage at room temperature. The increase in the hardness of the bread was attributed to the ordered configuration of the amylopectin structures resulting from water evaporation. The results given in this paper offer a practical hardness index to control the quality of bread. This study is expected to contribute to better quality control and optimization in bread production, enhancing consumers' satisfaction and extending products' shelf lives.

A STUDY ON THE INFLUENCE OF XM BRAND IMAGE ON XM NEW ENERGY VEHICLE CONSUMERS' PURCHASE INTENTION

Nowadays, the new energy vehicle market is developing rapidly, and many companies that were originally not in the automotive industry have also entered it. This study takes XM as an example to construct a research model and refine multiple dimensions of perceived value. Three dimensions divide the mediating variables of brand image's influence on purchase intention in cross-domain sales, along with perceived gain and loss. From brand image to perceived value to the path of consumers' purchase intentions, they are interlocking. Brand image has a strong influence on consumers' purchase intention, has a significant positive impact on perceptual gain, and has a significant negative impact on perceived loss. Perceptual gain has a significant positive impact on purchase intention, while perceived loss has a significant negative impact. Ultimately, the conclusions suggest that at the enterprise level, companies should implement the following strategies: 1) Pay attention to the original brand's image in cross-field sales; 2) convey a positive brand image to consumers, actively interact, and pay attention to their inner perceptions; 3) leverage brand popularity and strengthen brand building; and 4) enhance the social value of the brand and reduce the customers' perception of financial risk. From the consumers' perspective, they should consider the following points: 1) Acknowledge the distinction between the original company's brand image and the brand image of new energy vehicles; 2) Focus on the core of the new energy vehicle brand and contribute to its development and construction.

How hospitality brands succeed: Evidence from brand-level analyses of hotel brands

Marketing involves a competition between brands, yet very little hospitality marketing research uses brands as the unit-of-analysis. The current paper fills this need by examining the relationships among hotel brands’ quality/price tier, number of hotels, building size (average number of rooms per hotel), average customer satisfaction ratings, popularity, fame, penetration, average purchase frequency, and annual room revenue. The results indicated that hotel brand popularity and total sales volume were greater among brands in the middle quality-price tier and those with more and larger hotels. After controlling for quality/price tier, greater customer-satisfaction ratings were positively related to brands’ sales per room, but not to brand popularity or total sales volume. These findings suggest that marketing success is primarily a function of brands’ mental and physical availabilities and that unusually high or low experience quality given a brand’s quality/price tier is attributed to, and benefits, the property rather than the brand.

Prevalence and identification of Bacillus species in cellophane, foil, and disposable plastic containers used for food packaging

Background: Foil, cellophane, and disposable plastic containers are commonly employed in food packaging, namely as coatings on food items. Nevertheless, the existence of microbes on the surface and inside the internal composition of these materials gives rise to concerns, as they have the capacity to multiply under ideal circumstances and spread to food items, thereby jeopardizing the safety and quality of the food. Objective: This study aimed at examining the number of microorganisms and identifying specific bacterial species within frequently used food packaging materials like foil, cellophane, and disposable plastic containers. Methods: samples of foil, cellophane, and disposable plastic containers were collected from various popular brands in Iran. The overall bacterial count wضas determined using defibering, flooding, and smear techniques followed by culturing on Tryptone Glucose Extract Agar (TGEA) medium. To identify the bacterial species, various biochemical tests were performed, including fermentation, motility testing, catalase test, oxidase test, and methyl red-Voges Proskauer (MR-VP) test. Results: Bacterial quantity ranged from 0 CFU/g to 8.3 × 103 CFU/g in analyzed samples. All the samples had primary contaminants mainly Bacillaceae family bacteria that could produce spores. Disposable plastic containers had the lowest bacterial count whereas cellophane showed the highest bacterial contamination level. Among Bacillaceae family members Bacillus licheniformis was dominant. Conclusion: The study's findings emphasize the possibility of microbial contamination in food packaging materials, including cellophane. These results indicate that the food packaging industry should adopt a rigorous approach to hazard evaluation and Important Control Points (HACCP) in order to guarantee the microbiological safety and efficacy of packaging materials.

Why are satisfied buyers not necessarily loyal?

PurposeThe aim of this study is to identify why some brand buyers are satisfied, but are not necessarily loyal.Design/methodology/approachBased on prior literature, this study posits and tests nine potential reasons for why some satisfied buyers are loyal, and others are not. The factors examined are: distribution intensity, familiarity, popularity, customer satisfaction levels, category experience, variety-seeking, service design fit, satisfaction advantages (consumers having higher satisfaction for one brand versus others) and loyalty advantages (consumers showing higher loyalty for one brand versus others). The authors use the context of food retailing, focusing on the fast-food industry in the State of Kuwait.FindingsThe authors find that approximately 70% of fast-food brand users are satisfied, but only 28% of those satisfied users can be classified as highly loyal. While overall, the study finds satisfaction is positively correlated with individual-level buyer loyalty, analysis also finds that brand popularity, overall customer satisfaction levels, experience, variety-seeking, satisfaction advantages and loyalty advantages are factors that explain why many customers are satisfied, but do not have high levels of loyalty.Originality/valueThis study makes a novel and original contribution in assessing a broad range of factors that help explain why many satisfied buyers are not necessarily also loyal. The findings will assist managers to contextualize their firm’s performance on satisfaction and loyalty.

Identifying Topics Around Nicotine Gum: A Machine Learning Approach with Twitter Data

Background Nicotine gum products from brands like Lucy and Rogue are relatively new arrivals to the tobacco marketplace. While studies of correlates of nicotine gum use are in their nascent stage, data from social media can be used to stay abreast of user experiences with novel tobacco products. This study leveraged machine learning to identify topics of Twitter posts about nicotine gum from the year 2022. Methods Twitter data was collected using the Twitter Application Programming Interface (API), with search terms “nicotine” AND “gum” OR “nic” AND “gum”. 16,940 tweets from 10,353 unique users were included in the analysis. Topic modeling with Top2Vec was used to identify topics and a string search of popular brands and flavors was also conducted. Results Eight distinct topics were identified. Smoking and vaping cessation was the most common topic, followed by promotion, pricing, and marketing; appeal; product comparisons; perceived benefits; distrust in institutions; health concerns; and COVID-19 misinformation. The most mentioned brand was Nicorette. A tenth of the tweets contained a reference to a flavor. Conclusion The goal of identifying topics in nicotine gum-related conversations is to better understand the public’s perceptions and experiences with nicotine gum. These findings may be used to inform survey-based research, policy targets, and health communication campaigns.

Characteristics and ingredients of disposable 'Elfbar' e-cigarettes sold in the United States and the United Kingdom.

As of 2023, Elfbar remains the most popular brand of disposable e-cigarette available in the United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK), with similar flavor options in both countries. At the time of this study, 5% nicotine Elfbar BC5000 was the only version available in the US, whereas 2% Elfbar 600 was the most popular in the UK. This study measured differences in nicotine content and form, aerosol emissions and flavoring chemicals in the US and UK Elfbar products. A convenience sample of eight Elfbar devices sold in the US and UK, consisting of two Elfbar models with four identical flavor options (Peach Ice, Strawberry Banana, Strawberry Ice and Strawberry Kiwi) purchased between December 2022 and February 2023, were laboratory tested. We measured nicotine concentration, form and total content. We also determined aerosol emissions and estimated the nicotine dose delivery per puff. We identified solvents and flavoring chemicals in these products. Elfbar products within the same country had similar nicotine content, concentration, form and solvents, but they differed in flavoring chemicals. US Elfbar contained, on average, higher volume (mean ± standard deviation = 6.5 ± 0.5 versus 1.8 ± 0.3ml) of nicotine solution with a higher concentration (41.8 ± 2.3 versus 19.7 ± 1.2mg/ml) than the UK Elfbar. An estimated dose of nicotine delivered per puff was four times higher from US Elfbar than UK Elfbar. There were differences in the type and amount of flavoring chemicals used in US and UK Elfbars, including a higher concentration of a synthetic coolant WS-23 in US Elfbar than in UK Elfbar (17.8 ± 1.5 versus 12.9 ± 5.4mg/ml). Because the amount of nicotine found in the US Elfbar e-cigarettes is equivalent to that found in eight UK Elfbar e-cigarettes, people who use Elfbar sold in the US have access to much more nicotine from a single device than those who use Elfbar sold in the United Kingdom.

CONSUMER PREFERENCES IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS IN DEVELOPING AND DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

This study has taken into consideration the most important factors that influence consumers’ choice of clothing by analyzing some of the most popular brands in the market. The study was completed in two countries making a comparison between the preferences of consumers in a developed and developing country. The method used is the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), which, by structuring the problem, makes it easier to classify the criteria that influence consumers’ evaluation of clothing brands. Six main criteria, sixteen sub-criteria, and different fast fashion brands were considered. The results of this method revealed different priorities regarding the criteria between the two regions even though the most preferred brand was the same. These results help the companies included in the study to not only improve their products, but to have a better approach to the customer, and strengthen their competitiveness.