Retail Attributes Research Articles

Designing a cross-organizational identity management system: Utilizing SSI for the certification of retailer attributes

The introduction of blockchain offers new opportunities to rethink enterprise identity management. Recently, a new concept has emerged in the blockchain community called self-sovereign identity. Self-sovereign identity combines several existing decentralized identity management approaches, promising new ways to promote more convenient, connected, and secure identity services for the private and public sector. Nevertheless, research in this area is still in its infancy. Most of the very few articles focus either on the opportunities self-sovereign identity might offer or on very specific technical features. Studies on real-world applications of organizations using modern self-sovereign identity implementations and design theory are very rare. To fill this gap, we follow the design science research approach to design, implement, and evaluate a self-sovereign identity system to present tax attributes of online retailers. We present four design principles and conclude that the use of self-sovereign identity and blockchain offers opportunities to improve verification processes.

Consumers’ Attitudes and Purchase Behavior of HMR (Home Meal Replacement) Using Locally Sourced Food

ABSTRACT The home meal replacement(HMR) market is growing rapidly, but consumers have been dissatisfied with safety and nutrition of HMR. On demand side, HMR has been positioned as a convenient meal replacement but its nutrition and safety has been questioned by consumers. On supply side, the food industry has been challenged to find sustainable way of sourcing and producing. The issue of using local food and food self-sufficiency has gained more attention with COVID-19. This study aims to explore the attributes that are related to consumers’ trust and purchase intention of HMR using locally sourced food. An online survey was conducted with 807 Korean consumers. Factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used. The result showed three subdimensions of attributes: products, ingredients and retail attributes. Only ingredients attributes had direct effect on consumers’ purchase intention. However, when mediated by consumer trust, all three dimensions had positive indirect effect on purchase intention.

ISLAMIC MODERN RETAIL ATTRIBUTES FOR MUSLIM CONSUMERS PATRONAGE INTENTION

Muslim dominates the total population in Indonesia. Islamic modern retail growth in Indonesia is predicted to increase since Muslims started to consider the religion aspects for their daily life. Nevertheless, there has not been much research on this matter. This study aims to investigate Islamic modern retail attributes for Muslim shoppers in Indonesia. Furthermore, this research will focus on the patronage intention of Muslim shoppers. A sample of 144 consumers of modern Islamic retail in Indonesia was collected. The data were collected through a questionnaire and analyzed using multiple linear regression. The results revealed that Islamic modern retail attributes, such as the Islamic store atmosphere and Islamic value, had a significant positive effect on Muslim shopper’s patronage intention. While other attributes, such as Muslim product, humanistic, and halal product certification, have no significant effect on Muslim shopper’s patronage intention. This study confirmed that each one-unit increase in independent variables, namely Muslim product, Islamic store atmosphere, humanistic, halal product certification, and Islamic value, respectively, will cause an increase in patronage intentions of 0.114, 0.238, 0.025, 0.044, and 0.263 unit.

Competitive analyses for men’s clothing retailers: segmentation and positioning

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify men’s clothing market segments based on store types and generational cohorts and the retail attributes. Design/methodology/approach A total of 2,808 US male consumer data from Predictive Analytics survey were analyzed with correspondence analysis (CA) (to identify segments based on store types and generations), general linear model (GLM) (to determine what retail attributes were important to target each segment) and a Rasch tree model (to test items of each factor in their relative importance). Findings The CA produced three segments: Segment 1 (Gen Y male consumers who frequently shop at specialty stores), Segment 2 (Gen X males who frequently shop at discount stores and online stores) and Segment 3 (Baby Boomers and Seniors who frequently shop at department stores). GLM shows that fundamentals were important to all segments; experiential was most important to Segment 1, while promotion was most important to Segment 3. Rasch tree analysis provided specific information on retail attributes for each store type and each generation. Research limitations/implications Future research could employ both the importance and performance of retail attributes that are measured on a rating scale to understand consumers’ attitudes toward each retail format. Practical implications This study provided men’s clothing retailers with current insights into the male consumer segments based upon generational cohorts and store types from which they can better develop appropriate positioning strategies to satisfy the needs of each segment. Originality/value This study addressed the men’s clothing market, a growing but largely ignored market in the clothing industry and the retail literature.

Omnichannel fulfillment strategies: defining the concept and building an agenda for future inquiry

Purpose Since the emergence of e-commerce uprooted traditional brick-and-mortar retail in the early 2000s, many retailers have reacted by first independently servicing both the online and in-store channels (multichannel retailing) and subsequently integrating both channels to provide a seamless front-end customer interface (omnichannel retailing). Accordingly, firms had to adjust their logistics and supply chain management (SCM) processes from fulfilling orders for each channel separately to integrating channels on the back-end (omnichannel fulfillment). This development is mirrored by an emerging stream of academic publications. The purpose of this paper is to provide a snapshot of the current state of omnichannel fulfillment research via a systematic literature review (SLR) in order to identify omnichannel fulfillment strategies and to establish an agenda for future inquiry. Design/methodology/approach This SLR is based on 104 papers published in peer-reviewed journals through December 2018. It employs a six-step process, from research question to the presentation of the insights. Findings All selected manuscripts are categorized based on demographics such as publication date, outlet, methodology, etc. Analysis of the manuscripts suggests that the integration of fulfillment channel inventory and resources is becoming an important objective of fulfillment management. Appropriate omnichannel strategies based on retailer attributes are not well understood. Industry specific research has been conducted necessitating generalized extension for retailers. These findings provide a clear opportunity for the academic community to take more of the lead in terms of knowledge creation by proposing paths for industry pursuit of channel integration to successfully implement omnichannel fulfillment. Opportunities for future inquiry are highlighted. Originality/value This manuscript proposes a definition of omnichannel fulfillment strategies and identifies fulfillment links that are used interchangeably across channels as the key delimiter between omnichannel fulfillment strategies and related concepts. Six omnichannel fulfillment strategies from the extant literature are identified and conceptualized. Future research opportunities around omnichannel fulfillment, potential interdependencies between the established strategies and their impact on related SCM issues such as distribution and reverse logistics are detailed.

Application of Decomposed Theory of Planned Behavior on Retail Patronage amongst Women

The aim of this study is to evaluate the attractiveness of a shopping centre from the type of retail attributes it has. Shopping centres gain the most patronage from women hence this study is about the retail attributes a shopping centre should have in to attract Malaysian women to patronise and shop there. Past research have focused on shopping centres having product related factors (price, product assortment, quality etc.) as factors that would increase patronage intentions amongst women (Toh & Perumal, 2017) with very little attention placed on the type of retail attributes that may serve to attract women’s intention to patronise shopping centres. For this study, a total of 700 questionnaires was distributed and out of this, 423 useable responses were collected and processed. For this study, Smart PLS 3.0 was employed to process for hypothesis testing. The results of this study indicate that the construct of attitude towards a shopping centre mediates the relationship between retail attributes (utilitarian and hedonic) and patronage intention. The use of the decomposed theory of planned behaviour (DTPB) clearly indicate that attitude towards a shopping centre is derived from the retail attributes of a shopping centre.

Do built environments affect pedestrians' choices of walking routes in retail districts? A study with GPS experiments in Hongdae retail district in Seoul, South Korea

This study aims to reveal components of built environments that influence pedestrians' walking patterns and potential consumption in a retail district. We conducted a Global Positioning System (GPS) experiment observing 82 pedestrians' choices of walking routes in Hongdae, a campus-oriented retail district near Hongik University in Seoul, South Korea, and assessed their causal relationships with built environments using a structural equation model (SEM). We revealed that all four categories of built environments studied—accessibility, diversity, design, and density—affected pedestrians’ choices of walking route, controlling for retail attributes. Specifically, pedestrians prefer shaded streets and openness, confirming the importance of design quality in pedestrian retail environments. Contrary to conventional wisdom, however, shorter distances from public transportation would not guarantee more pedestrian traffic in specialized shopping areas such as Hongdae, unlike what we have observed in residential neighborhoods. Additionally, pedestrians prefer streets with concentrations of similar types and high-density retails, affirming the agglomeration economies theory.

Retail Attribute’s Effect on Shopping Motivation and Customer Loyalty: Age as a Moderating Variable

The study was based on the Stimulus Organism Response (SOR) theory stated by Mehrabian-Russel which aimed to analyze the effect of retail attribute on utilitarian, hedonic shopping motivation and customer loyalty. This study also aimed to test the age as the moderation variable effect of the retail attribute on the utilitarian, hedonic shopping motivation and customer loyalty. The respondents of study were 150 people. Sampling was done by convenience sampling. Collecting data used personal questionnaire through face to face interviews. Questionnaires were distributed to customers who visited the shopping mall. Data were analyzed by Partial Least Square (PLS). The results showed that the retail attributes had positive and significant effects on the utilitarian, hedonic shopping motivation, and customer loyalty. The age was the moderating variable effect of the retail attribute on utilitarian shopping motivation. The practical implications of this research was to develop segmentation, customization and innovation of retail attributes as an important strategy to overcome the differences in store attribute effects on the values of shopping and customer loyalty.

A study of store and retail attributes influencing the young Indian consumer buying decision

Retail is passing through a critical phase in India and many alternative channels and store formats have evolved in the recent times. The young consumers' preferences have changed in the past decades due to improvement in purchasing power, increased options for shopping and globalisation. In this scenario, the manufacturers and the retailers are always in a dilemma regarding the retail and the store design to enhance the appeal of their products and services to the consumers'. The aim of this study is to identify the store and retail attributes which are most sought after by the young consumers' and to gauge the overall satisfaction with the Indian retail environment. The data obtained was analysed using descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The results reveal that the Indian youth is price and quality sensitive; attributes like easy accessibility and convenient location are identified to be crucial.

Important Service Quality of Tourist Retail Services

ABSTRACTThis study uses a service quality model consisting of six service quality dimensions to measure the attractiveness of a destination and their impact on customers’ loyalty intention to a tourist destination. We find that the dimensions representing destination attractiveness have a stronger impact on visitor loyalty intention than the dimensions representing retail attributes. Because the current literature has infrequently investigated the concepts of important service quality of tourist retail service that exhibit characteristics of both retail and tourist attractions, this study explores these concepts and attempts to fill this gap.

Examining retail customer experience and the moderation effect of loyalty programmes

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine the construct of retail customer experience (CE) and its links to satisfaction and loyalty; and to test whether loyalty programmes perform a moderating effect on those links.Design/methodology/approach– A variety of retail attributes are integrated to develop a holistic CE construct using formative measures, with four in-built, differentiated replication studies conducted in the supermarket and department store sectors in China.Findings– The empirical results confirm the model of CE’s impact on customer satisfaction and loyalty; but reveal that loyalty programmes perform an insignificant moderating role in enhancing the linkages in the model.Research limitations/implications– Further studies may examine whether our findings hold true for each individual loyalty programme. The paper calls for more studies based on multiple, in-built, differentiated replication studies and measures to encourage publication of negative empirical results so as to ensure empirical generalization and self-correction in the literature.Practical implications– Retail managers should focus attention on the design and delivery of great CE, without placing great reliance on loyalty programmes. Both cognitive and emotional attributes of retailing services should be considered for managing a holistic CE.Originality/value– The paper examines a model of CE with loyalty programme as a possible moderator; it uses formative measures of CE, multiple in-built replications and reports negative empirical results, which are critical to the development of scientific progress in retail management research.

Online repatronage intention: an empirical study among Malaysian experienced online shoppers

Purpose– Prior studies mostly investigate initial shopping intention in developed countries. The purpose of this paper is to sketch and determine the impact of perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), perceived value (PV), trust (TRT), perceived risk (PR), privacy concern (PC), internet literacy (IL), satisfaction (SAT) on online repatronage intention (ORI) among Malaysian experienced online shoppers.Design/methodology/approach– A total of 219 valid questionnaires were collected via an online survey among experienced online shoppers across young and old students aged 18-31. Subsequently, the two-step structural equation modelling (SEM) technique was employed to empirically examine the proposed integrative theoretical research framework and model fit with maximum likelihood estimation.Findings– The statistical analyses support the relationships between PU, PV, TRT and SAT with ORI while the relationships between PEOU, PR, PC and IL with ORI were rejected in which all the factors affecting ORI occur similarly across the study sample. The behaviour of experienced online shoppers was found to be different from findings of previous literature that examined initial adoption and intention. Due to the lack of distinction in the literature concerning experienced and inexperienced shoppers, our results show inconsistencies with prior research in examining ORI.Research limitations/implications– The paper suggests that future research consider multicultural analysis, atmosphere design, developing internet methodology and the role of flow experience in determining ORI. The research limitations and implications are also discussed.Practical implications– By realizing the differences between inexperienced shoppers and experienced shoppers, online retailers should segment these groups more effectively and should implement a different marketing strategy to target the right segment, right shoppers along with the right marketing tactic. The antecedents of future intention of online shopping are influenced by various variables because the human behaviour is sophisticated in nature. Thus, academicians and practitioners should realize the implications of examining their target population/market based on an assessment of different antecedents.Originality/value– This study is among the few attempts to examine attitudes and behaviour of Malaysian experienced online shoppers who have formed relevant experiences and skills in online shopping. Additionally, the paper empirically examine and distinct user perception of online retail attributes (including PU, PEOU, PV and PR), pre-purchase user attitudes (including TRT, PC, IL) and post-purchase users attitudes (including SAT) in forming ORI simultaneously.

O novo consumidor idoso: identificação dos atributos varejistas relevantes

A população mundial está em processo de envelhecimento e, no Brasil, esse fenômeno também é uma realidade. Apesar disso, existe uma lacuna na agenda de estudos acadêmicos sobre a preferência dos consumidores idosos. Diante disso, este trabalho procurou verificar quais atributos varejistas são mais relevantes para a manutenção da lealdade desse grupo de consumidores. Por meio de dois grupos focais, gerou-se uma lista de 44 atributos varejistas relevantes, seguidos de um survey com 615 consumidores com mais de 60 anos, e identificou-se que as dimensões Atendimento e Gestão do Sortimento (composta por gestão de preços e de produtos) conseguiram explicar 47% da variabilidade da lealdade da amostra. Por outro lado, os atributos relacionados às estruturas interna e externa da loja não foram significativos no modelo analisado por meio de modelagem por equações estruturais.

U.S. male generational cohorts: Retail format preferences, desired retail attributes, satisfaction and loyalty

Reports in the academic and popular press acknowledge the growing importance of male shoppers from a retail perspective (Albright, 2010) yet to date most studies have only compared men to women or when examining fashion products (Shim and Kotsiopulos, 1991). No research has been done to segment males in order to provide retailers with a better understanding of male shopping behavior (Bakewell and Mitchell, 2003; Meredith et al., 2007). This exploratory study surveyed 560 U.S. males examining retail format preferences, desired retail attributes, satisfaction and loyalty using Generational Cohort Theory (GCT). Results suggest significant differences between male generational cohorts in terms of retail format preferences with males from the Silent Generation preferring the category killer format more than males in the Millennial Generation and both 13th Generation and Millennial Generation males preferring internet-only retailers than did Silent Generation Males. Silent Generation males were also found to be more satisfied with retailers in their area, when compared to the younger Baby Boomer and 13th Generation males. No significant differences were found in desired retail attributes or store loyalty. Additional research investigating U.S. and non-U.S. males using GCT is suggested.

Type of packaging affects the colour stability of vitamin E enriched beef

Colour stability is a very important parameter for meat retail display, as appearance of the product is the deciding factor for consumers at time of purchase. This study investigated the possibility of extending appearance shelf-life through the combined use of packaging method (overwrapping – OVER, modified atmosphere – MAP, vacuum skin packaging – VSP and a combination of modified atmosphere and vacuum skin packaging – MAPVSP) and antioxidants (vitamin E enriched beef). Retail attributes (appearance, lean colour, % surface discolouration), as well as colour space analysis of images for red, green and blue parameters were measured over 18days. MAPVSP provided the most desirable retail appearance during the first 4days of retail display, while VSP-HB had the best colour stability. Overall, packaging type was more influential than α-tocopherol levels on meat colour stability, although α-tocopherol levels (>4μgg−1 meat) had a protective effect when using high oxygen packaging methods.

Do online shopping styles affect preferred site attributes? An empirical investigation and retailing implications

Traditional retailing scholars have long recognized that consumers exhibit different shopping styles and that each style responds to different retailer attributes. Several studies of online retailing have identified different shopping styles as well. Whether online shopping styles influence preferences for site attributes, however, is a research question yet to be investigated. We empirically investigate this question in this research using data collected from a survey of online shoppers regarding their shopping styles and site attributes that they view as important. Our results suggest that each of the six shopping styles that we include in our survey considers different sets of retailer attributes as important. We present these findings and also discuss their implications for the competitive and targeting strategies of online retailers.

Retail format choice in the US consumer electronics market

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a general understanding of retail format choice among consumer electronics shoppers in the US market.Design/methodology/approachUS consumer electronics shoppers (n=252) were surveyed via telephone. Linear regression was used to evaluate the data.FindingsProfiles shopper groups who frequent specific retail formats (department stores, specialty stores, discounters, category killers, internet‐only retailers, and catalogs) based on demographic characteristics (gender, age, education, income) and desired retail attributes (price competitiveness, customer service, product selection, presence of new products, hours of operation, ease of access to the retailer, store atmosphere).Research limitations/implicationsAlthough general observations and predictions about the demographic variables and important retail attributes for shopper groups are possible, future studies could expand upon this exploratory work by initiating comparisons of specific retail formats and examining cross‐shopping behavior among consumer electronics shoppers.Practical implicationsThis paper provides consumer electronics retailers with specific knowledge of the attributes that consumers consider to be important when making format choices and identifies the demographic characteristics of shoppers who frequent each retail format.Originality/valueThis exploratory study uses demographics and retail attributes to profile consumer electronics shoppers of each major retail format in the USA. The paper is unique because the investigation of retail format choice among consumer electronics shoppers has been very limited.

Moderating role of involvement in building a retail brand

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to focus on one of the main antecedents of consumer behaviour concerning its role in building a retail brand. It addresses how consumer involvement influences perception of retailer attributes, which affects customer‐based retail brand equity when considering retailers as brands.Design/methodology/approachA model is developed that includes the impact of central dimensions of the perception of retailer attributes, their effects on customer‐based retail brand equity and the moderating role of consumer involvement. The empirical study is based on a sample of 3,000 consumers spread over five retail sectors (grocery, clothing, DIY, electronics and furniture).FindingsUsing multiple‐group structural equation modelling, the intersectoral relevance of involvement as a moderator in building a strong retail brand is demonstrated. In retailing, consumer involvement has a moderating effect on the influence of retailer attributes on retail brand equity. The direction of this influence differs, however, from one perceived retailer attribute to the next. Whereas the influence of price, communication and store design is greater on highly involved consumers than on those with low involvement, the influence of service and assortment is greater in consumers with low involvement. Since consumers with a different level of involvement have a different perception of retailer attributes, this factor is relevant to retail branding.Originality/valueUnderstanding retailers as brands – conceptually – a basic model shows how to build retail brand equity using the dimensions of retailer marketing instruments, and this model is stable enough to test different antecedents, including involvement for the first time in this context. The five sectors surveyed distinguish the study methodologically from those that focus only on one sector. Finally, the results show that the retailer attributes relevant to retail brand equity differ between customers with high involvement and those with low involvement. This aspect must be considered in the preliminary stages of retail brand building.

Validating the search, experience, and credence product classification framework

Prior research identifies the influential factors for patronage intentions as product classes, retailer attributes, and risk perceptions. The Internet's ability to offer easy information search, therefore to reduce certain types of risk for products mandates evaluation of a new product classification framework called Search, Experience, and Credence. To test the nomological validity of the SEC-framework, this study investigates whether the SEC-products influence the (1) level of importance consumers place on retailer attributes, (2) level and types of risks consumers perceive, and (3) consumer patronage intentions for Internet and physical stores. The relationships between the (4) importance consumers place on retailer attributes and their risk perceptions, and (5) risk perceptions and patronage intentions for Internet and physical stores are investigated. The findings indicate while the importance of retailer attributes is equally significant across the four product classes, the SEC-products influence consumer risk perceptions and purchase-intentions for online and physical-stores. The relationship between important retailer attributes and risk perceptions is also significant.

Are lifestyle centres unique? Consumers' perceptions across locations

PurposeLifestyle centres are emerging retail locations and yet have not been included in past studies of shopping centres. The purpose of this paper is to explore whether and how individual and retail characteristics impact consumers' patronage behaviours at three popular retail locations (i.e. central business districts, lifestyle centres, and traditional enclosed shopping malls) in the USA and understand consumers' perceptions of the three different retail locations.Design/methodology/approachA mail survey was conducted and 410 surveys were returned. Multiple regression analyses and t‐test were conducted to test proposed hypotheses.FindingsThis study revealed that shopping orientation, importance of retail attributes, and beliefs about retail attributes influence patronage behaviour (i.e. shopping frequency) at the three retail locations. Additionally, consumers' responses suggest that they did regard lifestyle centres differently from the central business district and the traditional enclosed shopping mall on many aspects of the retail attributes examined in this research.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited in that respondents were consumers of a specific geographic area with certain retail locations. Findings may not be generalizeable.Practical implicationsUnderstanding how consumers evaluate the three retail locations enables practitioners to develop and/or revise their retail strategies in order to be competitive in the current market.Originality/valueThis is the first study investigating consumers' perceptions of three major retail locations by including the newly emerging lifestyle centres in the USA.