Retail Environment Research Articles

405 nm LED Illumination for the Reduction of Fusarium Spoilage Risk in Cavendish Bananas in a Simulated Retail Environment

405 nm LED Illumination for the Reduction of Fusarium Spoilage Risk in Cavendish Bananas in a Simulated Retail Environment

An Exploratory Analysis of Variables Shaping Consumer Decision-Making in the Purchase of Kitchen Appliances Within Shopping Mall Environments

Purpose: The purpose of this lecture is to conduct an in-depth exploratory analysis of the variables that significantly influence consumer decision-making when purchasing kitchen appliances within shopping mall environments. In this study, we aim to unravel the intricate web of factors that shape consumers' choices in this specific retail setting. Through a comprehensive examination of various variables such as product features, brand perception, pricing strategies, promotional activities, and the overall shopping mall environment, we seek to gain valuable insights into the complex decision-making processes of consumers. By understanding these variables, we aim to provide retailers, marketers, and manufacturers with actionable information to enhance their strategies, ultimately improving the overall consumer experience and increasing market competitiveness. Furthermore, this research aspires to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on consumer behaviour within retail contexts, shedding light on the dynamics unique to the purchase of kitchen appliances in shopping malls. The findings may not only benefit businesses operating in this sector but also serve as a foundation for future research and academic discussions surrounding consumer decision-making in diverse retail environments. Ultimately, the goal is to equip stakeholders with knowledge that can drive informed decision-making and foster a more consumer-centric approach in the marketing and retail landscape. Design: This research adopted the conceptual research by using a descriptive research design. Secondary data has been collected and analyzed to find out the factors affecting the shopping malls. This research employs a mixed-methods approach to investigate the multifaceted factors influencing consumers' decision-making when purchasing kitchen appliances in shopping malls. Quantitative surveys will be administered to a diverse sample, examining demographics, product preferences, and shopping behaviors. Additionally, qualitative interviews with consumers and retail experts will provide in-depth insights into the subjective aspects of decision-making. The study aims to identify key variables, such as brand perception, price sensitivity, and product features, contributing to consumers' choices in the dynamic shopping mall environment. Findings will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the intricate dynamics shaping consumer behavior in the kitchen appliances market within shopping malls. Findings: The exploratory analysis of variables shaping consumer decision-making in the purchase of kitchen appliances within shopping malls has yielded several key findings. Firstly, product features emerged as a crucial determinant, with consumers placing high importance on functionality, energy efficiency, and innovative technologies. Brands that effectively communicate these features are likely to influence purchasing decisions positively. Secondly, the role of pricing strategies was evident, indicating that consumers are sensitive to both initial costs and long-term value. Promotional activities, such as discounts, bundle offers, and loyalty programs, were found to significantly impact consumer preferences and choices. Thirdly, the study identified the substantial influence of brand perception on consumer decision-making. Brands associated with reliability, durability, and positive customer experiences tended to attract more attention and trust from consumers. Moreover, the overall shopping mall environment played a pivotal role. Factors such as store layout, ambiance, and staff expertise influenced consumers' perceptions and preferences. Consumers often seek a seamless and enjoyable shopping experience, which can contribute to their decision-making process. Originality/value: This study includes a detailed analysis of the Exploratory Analysis of Variables Shaping Consumer Decision-Making In The Purchase of Kitchen Appliances Within Shopping Mall Environments Paper type: Conceptual Research

Role of lighting and color in microeconomics: preference and purchase intent

Lighting and color are key factors under the control of lighting designers that can significantly impact shoppers’ perceptions and actions in the context of culinary and retail environments. Previous studies have examined the effects of color and lighting on preference and purchase intent, but results are often conflicting due to confounding variables, and a strong connection between these phenomena remains unexplored. To bridge this gap, two visual experiments were conducted, revealing that lighting can indeed influence consumers’ perception of products. Participants perceived the changes in objects under different color gamut and illuminance levels. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms of purchase intent, particularly across different price and product types.

Financial Challenges of Brick and Mortar Stalls with the Advent of E-commerce Businesses in and Around Bangalore

The explosive rise of e-commerce has led to a paradigm shift in the retail industry globally. This study looks at the specific economic difficulties faced by traditional brick and mortar shops in and around Bengaluru, India, as they discuss the changed market environment with the growth of e-commerce companies. This research provides complete knowledge about the economic challenges faced by the brick-and-mortar stalls by analysing key factors such as changing consumer behaviour, changing market trends and the generally increasing operating costs of the metropolitan setting of Bengaluru. The study examines the impact of low pedestrian traffic, changes in pricing strategies and rising maintenance costs, highlighting the complexity of these issues in the Bengaluru retail environment. The report examines various strategies and corrective measures that can help brick and mortar shops survive and compete in the face of the increasing dominance of e-commerce. The report provides robust guidance for traditional traders who want to thrive in this changing economic environment and provides comprehensive information about the regional market dynamics of Bengaluru. This research provides useful information for company owners, legislators and other stakeholders who want to maintain the life of traditional retail in the digital age. This will deepen our understanding of the complex interactions between brick-and-mortar shops and e-commerce in Bengaluru.

Perancangan UI/UX Aplikasi Kasir Toko Rieska Dengan Metode Design Thinking

This research aims to develop a cashier application to improve efficiency and user experience in Rieska stores. By using the UI/UX design method, this application is designed to facilitate transactions and inventory management. The design results show a cashier application that is responsive and easy to learn. Users provided positive feedback, indicating wider adoption in the retail environment. This research highlights the importance of developing cashier applications that focus on user needs in improving efficiency and user experience in retail businesses.

Determinants of continuous usage intention of branded apps in omni-channel retail environment: comparison between experience-oriented and transaction-oriented apps

Branded applications (apps) have become core touchpoints for improving consumer shopping experiences in omni-channel retailing, and many firms have developed different types of branded apps to provide additional value. Moreover, continuous usage intention is the key to improving enterprises’ gain efficiency and consumers’ brand loyalty. This study aims to reveal how branded apps achieve continuance intention from the perspective of consumer perceptions by combining the technology acceptance model and investigating the impact of differences in channel features on usage behavior between the two types of branded apps. An experiment was designed comparing transaction- and experience-oriented branded apps. A structural equation modeling technique was employed to validate the model based on the survey data of respondents from the experimental groups. The results show that the supportive role of omni-channel has a unique experience mechanism that promotes continuous usage intention. However, there are two discrepant results regarding the effect of perceived complementarity on perceived usefulness in transaction- and experience-oriented branded apps. The mediating role of perceived usefulness between perceived consistency, complementarity, ease of use and consumer satisfaction was supported in the experience-oriented apps but rejected in the transaction-oriented apps.

WeStore or AppStore: How Customers Shop Differently in Mobile Apps vs. Social Commerce

In the dynamic e-commerce environment, social commerce has emerged as a revolutionary force, transforming how consumers interact and transact online. This paper investigates the differences in customers’ search and purchase patterns between a prominent online retailer’s burgeoning social commerce channel, the WeChat mini-program, and its native mobile app. We analyze the customers’ entire journey through a sequential search model that encapsulates decisions from channel selection to product search, search termination, and the final purchase. This study contributes to the search model literature by being the first to estimate both fixed and marginal search costs in a sequential search model in an omnichannel retail environment. We calculate fixed search costs, marginal search costs, and preferences for each channel, revealing differences in customers’ behaviors across channels. Our analysis shows that customers’ fixed search costs are higher, but marginal costs are lower on WeChat channel compared to the App channel. Also, customer characteristics like historical spending levels and search timing influence their search costs. From these insights, we suggest strategies tailored to each channel capitalizing on the differences in customers’ search costs. The first strategy encourages search initiation by lowering fixed search costs through peer-to-peer link sharing in the WeChat channel. The second strategy aims to minimize marginal search costs using search-triggering coupons in the App channel. Implementing these strategies significantly boosts conversion rates and profits for the online retailer. This research is one of the first to explore the differences between traditional retail channels and emerging social commerce channels.

INFLUENCE OF VISUAL MERCHANDISING ON KIDS IMPULSE BUYING BEHAVIOUR - PERSPECTIVE OF PARENTS

This research explores the impact of visual merchandising on childrens impulse buying behavior within retail environments. With a growing emphasis on marketing to children, understanding the role of visual cues in shaping their purchasing decisions is crucial for both retailers and parents. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining observational analysis of childrens reactions to visual stimuli in-store with surveys administered to parents to gauge the extent of impulse buying. The research aims to identify specific visual merchandising elements, such as color schemes, product placement, and interactive displays, which significantly influence childrens impulsive purchasing tendencies. Additionally, the study examines demographic factors, such as age and gender, to assess variations in the susceptibility to visual merchandising techniques. Insights gained from this research can contribute to the development of ethical guidelines for marketing to children and help retailers create environments that balance engaging displays with responsible consumer practices. Ultimately, this research contributes to a broader understanding of the intricate relationship between visual merchandising and childrens impulse buying behavior, providing practical implications for both industry stakeholders and policymakers. KEY WORDS: Visual Merchandising, Window Display, Floor Display, Promotional Signage, Mannequin Display

The retail environment design (RED) scale: conceptualization and measurement

PurposeDesign is an important construct in the retail environment literature. Yet, the measures used for design have not followed appropriate scale development procedures. The purpose of this study is to provide a conceptual definition and then develop a scale for retail environment design (RED).Design/methodology/approachInterviews with both consumers and marketing researchers are used to generate a potential list of items. Using four different studies, these items are refined, and the RED scale is offered.FindingsThis study develops and validates the four-dimensional RED scale to measure the design of retail environments. The dimensions are functional, aesthetic, lighting and signage.Research limitations/implicationsThe newly developed RED scale will allow retailing researchers to measure lighting and signage qualities as part of retail design, measure design of retail environments more accurately and allow different studies to be compared.Practical implicationsThe newly developed RED scale will allow retailers to better understand customers’ perceptions of the four dimensions of design. Retailers spend significant time and money designing and redesigning retail environments. The RED scale will enable managers to ensure these significant investments create competitive advantages and an appropriate return on investment.Originality/valueA scale to measure retail environment design is developed. The scale includes two dimensions (lighting and signage) that are not typically investigated.

A participatory approach to model the neighbourhood food environment.

Inequalities in exposure to a health-promoting local food environment have been implicated in the generation of inequalities in diet-related behaviours and outcomes, including obesity and diabetes. Increasingly, poor diet and diet-related disease have been characterised as an emergent property of a complex system and, as such, the drivers of poor diet may be better understood by using a complex system perspective. In this study, we describe a participatory approach for understanding the system drivers of unhealthy food consumption. System dynamics (SD) was used to identify, understand, and visualise the elements of the neighbourhood food retail system that influence individuals' eating behaviour. Group Model Building (GMB), undertaken online with stakeholders (n = 11), was used to funnel existing knowledge and evidence on urban food environments and to build a conceptual system map of the local food retail environment inclusive of the drivers that influence the decision to purchase and consume meals that are high in fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS), and calories. The GMB was organised as a knowledge elicitation process involving a questionnaire, a workbook, and a structured workshop. The GMB generated a comprehensive causal loop diagram (CLD) of the retail environment inclusive of the drivers that influence the decision to purchase and consume unhealthy meals. The CLD was designed around two main variables (i) exposure to food outlets and (ii) food consumption. The system map built during the Group Model Building session linked exposure to food outlets with the possibility to purchase and consume unhealthy meals. The effectiveness of this link will be tested in an Agent-Based model. The conceptual model illustrates the complexity of the factors responsible for inequalities in unhealthy eating. The GMB approach provides a basis for building an agent-based model for local authorities to characterise their food retail environment, uncover potential leverage points for interventions and test them 'in silico' in a virtual environment.

Malls designed for inclusion? Emotional experience of irritating aspects of the mallscape that distance consumers with disabilities

PurposeThis study aims to identify the irritating aspects in the mall environment that impact shoppers with disability and explore the opportunities to design inclusive mall environments.Design/methodology/approachA mixed-methods design was used in which data collected using a survey (n = 1,434 shoppers with and without disability) were analyzed by structural equation modeling (SEM) and repeated-measures two-way ANOVA. In addition, qualitative data were obtained from critical incident technique (CIT) stories (n = 521) from shoppers with and without disability.FindingsMall environmental irritants evoke feelings of irritation that mediate the impacts of “inconvenient ambient conditions,” “the annoying socialscape” and “overwhelming design and atmospherics” on decreased mall-visit frequency. Compared with shoppers without disability, shoppers with disability suffer more from these irritating aspects of the mall environment, as evidenced by significantly greater high-activation unpleasant emotions. The “poor access and accessibility” category of irritants mainly affects the mall experiences of shoppers with disability.Practical implicationsBased on the findings, this study offers spatial-, temporal-, social-, material- and virtual-oriented recommendations for the design of inclusive retail spaces. The authors suggest that people with disability have a unique “lived experience” perspective on retail environments and that solutions should be co-created based on ongoing consultations with shoppers and employees with disability.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study offers the first systematic, comprehensive comparison of the impact of environmental irritants on shoppers with and without disability and extends the literature on irritating aspects of retail environments from individual stores to malls.

Examining the moderating effects of shopping orientation, product knowledge and involvement on the effectiveness of Virtual Reality (VR) retail environment

The increasing affordability of Virtual Reality (VR) presents opportunities for retail innovation. While previous research highlighted the superiority of VR over traditional media in retailing application, this research shows that the advantage of VR retailing is contingent on consumer product knowledge, shopping orientation, and product involvement. Adopting an experimental between-subjects design across three studies, this research showed that VR does not necessarily outperform static pictures in facilitating mental imagery when consumers have high (vs. low) product knowledge. However, the negative impact of product knowledge is reduced when consumers engage in shopping for experiential rather than task-focused orientations. Moreover, high (vs. low) -involvement products also play a role in reducing the negative effect of product knowledge on VR effectiveness. This research address the gaps in the literature by demonstrating the efficacy of VR retailing in the context of product knowledge, shopping orientation, and product involvement. For marketers, this research shows that VR should be used with discretion, considering the product types, consumer shopping orientations, and product involvement.

Assessing the Effectiveness of In-Store Promotions for Private Label Brands in Retail Stores

In an era marked by intense market competition and evolving consumer preferences, the pivotal role of In-Store Promotions (ISPs) in shaping the success of Private Label Brands (PLBs) is of crucial importance. This research paper delves deeply into the dynamic landscape of ISPs and their profound impact on the market performance of PLBs within the contemporary retail environment. Using a descriptive research design, the study aims to assess the effectiveness of ISPs for PLBs and explore their influence on Consumer Observation (CO), Consumer Interest (CI), and Purchase Behaviour (PB). Primary data were collected from 206 customers of various supermarkets using a purposive sampling method. A structured questionnaire was disseminated using Google Forms to gather data. The data underwent statistical analysis, including Correlation, Regression, and Mediation analysis, utilising the SPSS 24.0 software package. The findings of this study reveal a positive relationship of CO and CI with PB, underscoring the substantial significance of ISPs for PLBs. Additionally, the analysis unveiled the mediating role of CI in the CO - PB relationship. These research findings offer valuable insights that can enhance ISPs and deepen our understanding of consumer preferences within the dynamic retail industry landscape.

A systems framework for implementing healthy food retail in grocery settings

BackgroundFood retailers can be reluctant to initiate healthy food retail activities in the face of a complex set of interrelated drivers that impact the retail environment. The Systems Thinking Approach for Retail Transformation (START) is a determinants framework created using qualitative systems modelling to guide healthy food retail interventions in community-based, health-promoting settings. We aimed to test the applicability of the START map to a suite of distinct healthy food marketing and promotion activities that formed an intervention in a grocery setting in regional Victoria, Australia.MethodsA secondary analysis was undertaken of 16 previously completed semi-structured interviews with independent grocery retailers and stakeholders. Interviews were deductively coded against the existing START framework, whilst allowing for new grocery-setting specific factors to be identified. New factors and relationships were used to build causal loop diagrams and extend the original START systems map using Vensim.ResultsA version of the START map including aspects relevant to the grocery setting was developed (“START-G”). In both health-promoting and grocery settings, it was important for retailers to ‘Get Started’ with healthy food retail interventions that were supported by a proof-of-concept and ‘Focus on the customer’ response (with grocery-settings focused on monitoring sales data). New factors and relationships described perceived difficulties associated with disrupting a grocery-setting ‘Supply-side status quo’ that promotes less healthy food and beverage options. Yet, most grocery retailers discussed relationships that highlighted the potential for ‘Healthy food as innovation’ and ‘Supporting cultural change through corporate social responsibility and leadership’.ConclusionsSeveral differences were found when implementing healthy food retail in grocery compared to health promotion settings. The START-G map offers preliminary guidance for identifying and addressing commercial interests in grocery settings that currently promote less healthy foods and beverages, including by starting to address business outcomes and supplier relationships.

Unveiling the Senses: A Bibliometrics Analysis on the Role of Sensory Marketing in impacting Consumer Behaviour

In the dynamic landscape of contemporary business, companies are constantly seeking innovative strategies to captivate consumers, forge memorable brand experiences, and ultimately foster brand loyalty. Amidst this quest for differentiation, one phenomenon has emerged as a powerful and immersive tool – Sensory Marketing. This paradigm shift in marketing strategies transcends traditional approaches, harnessing the human senses to create an emotional connection between consumers and brands. Sensory marketing is a multifaceted concept that integrates the human senses – sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell – into the marketing mix to evoke emotions, stimulate memories, and influence consumer behavior. Unlike conventional marketing methods that primarily rely on visual and auditory stimuli, sensory marketing leverages a holistic approach, engaging consumers on a deeper, more visceral level. The genesis of sensory marketing can be traced back to the realization that consumers are not mere rational decision-makers but emotional beings whose perceptions and preferences are profoundly shaped by sensory experiences. Visual elements, such as logos and packaging design, appeal to the sense of sight, while auditory stimuli, such as jingles or brand sounds, create a sonic brand identity. Tactile experiences, from the texture of products to the feel of a retail environment, engage the sense of touch. Furthermore, taste and smell, often overlooked in traditional marketing, are harnessed in industries ranging from food and beverage to retail, creating memorable sensory imprints. This research paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical frameworks that underpin sensory marketing, drawing on psychological and neuro scientific perspectives to unravel the intricacies of human sensory perception. By synthesizing existing literature, we seek to establish a foundation that not only explicates the role of sensory marketing in shaping consumer behavior but also sheds light on its practical applications for businesses across diverse industries. Keywords: Sensory, Sensory marketing, Marketing, Sensory Experience, Stimuli, Senses, Psychological Marketing, Neuro Scientific Marketing, Consumer behavior, Customer Experience.

Deep reinforcement learning for demand fulfillment in online retail

A distinctive feature of online retail is the flexibility to ship items to customers from different distribution centers (DCs). This creates interdependence between DCs and poses new challenges in demand fulfillment to decide from which DC to satisfy each customer demand. This paper addresses a demand fulfillment problem in a multi-DC online retail environment where demand and replenishment lead time are stochastic. The objective of the problem is to minimize the long-term operational costs by determining the source DC for each customer demand. We formulate the problem as a semi-Markov decision process and develop a deep reinforcement learning (DRL) algorithm to solve the problem. To evaluate the performance of the DRL algorithm, we compare it with a set of heuristic rules and exact solutions obtained by linear programming. Numerical results show that the DRL policy performs equally well with the most competitive heuristic on complete pooling DC networks and outperforms all the heuristics on partial pooling DC networks. Additionally, by analyzing the transshipment ratio of the best-observed policies, we provide managerial insights regarding the circumstances in which transshipment is more favorable.

High street retail environment interventions and their theorised impacts on health and wellbeing: A scoping review.

Health outcomes are influenced by social and environmental determinants of health. As places where people work, live, meet and consume, high street retail environments are influential in shaping health. In recent decades, high streets have been in decline, prompting policies to revitalise retail environments and support local businesses, particularly in European and North American countries. The aim of this scoping review was to systematically map evidence on retail environment interventions, to gain a deeper understanding of the current evidence base assessing their possible health and wellbeing impacts. The objectives were to identify different types of interventions and the outcomes they address; and the mechanism through which interventions are theorised to influence health and equity. Peer-reviewed studies were identified through academic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, EconLit, Web of Science and Social Policy and Practice) using relevant search terms. Additional (grey) literature was identified using citation scanning and online searches. Studies were eligible if they evaluated interventions with a significant focus on supporting the retail environment, reported on at least one health and wellbeing outcome and were written in English. Relevant data were extracted and presented descriptively. An interpretive approach was taken to analyse theories of change. The searches identified 53 peer-reviewed studies and nine grey literature reports. Interventions were categorised as follows: area-based initiatives, business improvement districts, business incentives, and demand-side incentives. Studies predominantly evaluated impacts on social and environmental determinants of health. Some studies measured impacts on self-rated (mental) health, physical activity and food consumption and purchasing. Studies reported evidence of both improved and worsening outcomes. Theories of change were often under-specified and reductionist, lacking a clear understanding of the complex systems in which interventions take place. Future interventions could benefit from more comprehensive theories of change that meaningfully integrate economic, and health and wellbeing outcomes. This requires intersectoral collaboration.

The impact of augmented reality in retail environments: Enhancing customer experience and sales

The impact of augmented reality in retail environments: Enhancing customer experience and sales

An observational study of the marketing practice of e-cigarette specialty stores in two large cities in China: Is there potential to normalize the use of e-cigarettes?

Supervision measures in China have designated offline retail as the only legal channel for the sale and advertising of e-cigarettes. Specialty stores, exclusively selling vaping devices and e-liquids, are professionally designed to showcase company images and provide the best examples of e-cigarette marketing strategies. The goal was to analyze the retail marketing practice of e-cigarette specialty stores and provide a scientific reference for future e-cigarette point-of-sale regulation. On-site observations were conducted in specialty stores among the popular business districts of Chengdu and Shanghai, China, from January to May 2021. 'Dianping', known as 'Chinese Yelp', was used to identify 8 business districts in Shanghai and 5 in Chengdu as observation sites. Two trained observers visited each store in the identified business districts. The data were collected with a checklist, which consisted of 5 sections with 37 items, including basic information, marketing practice, age restriction and health warnings. In total, 161 e-cigarette specialty stores, including 82 specialty stores in Shanghai and 79 in Chengdu, were identified. Of these stores, 156 were single-brand retailers and 5 were multi-brand retailers. Each store displayed e-cigarette products, which were visible from outside the store. The most common e-cigarette products were rechargeable kits and nicotine-containing e-liquids, which were available at all specialty stores. Frequent forms of promotion were free e-liquid samples (100%) and slogans (57.8%). Signage stating prohibition of minor use and purchase was presented at 141 (87.6%) specialty stores. Relatively few specialty stores (31.7%) displayed health warnings. E-cigarette specialty stores featured highly visible product displays, varied product selections, abundant marketing materials, free trial services, absent entry restrictions for minors, and a lack of health warnings. Policymakers should move to reduce youth exposure to e-cigarette products and marketing in the retail environment by strengthening regulations on product display and marketing.

Design and Implementation of Smart Trolley System

We are now using the rapidly growing artificial intelligence in our day-to- This project aims to develop a Smart Trolley System using Bluetooth and Arduino technology to enhance shopping experiences in retail environments. Traditional shopping carts lack interactive features to assist shoppers during their shopping journey. Our proposed Smart Trolley System addresses this gap by integrating Bluetooth communication with Arduino microcontrollers to create an intelligent and interactive shopping companion. The system consists of two main components: the Smart Trolley Unit and the Shopper Application. The Smart Trolley Unit is equipped with sensors for detecting items placed within the cart, an Arduino microcontroller for processing data, and Bluetooth modules for communication. The Shopper Application is a mobile app installed on the shopper's smart phone, serving as the interface for interacting with the Smart Trolley System.