Store Shopping Research Articles

Corner Stores: The Perspective of Urban Youth

ObjectiveWe examined the perspectives of low-income, urban youth about the corner store experience to inform the development of corner store interventions. DesignFocus groups were conducted to understand youth perceptions regarding their early shopping experiences, the process of store selection, reasons for shopping in a corner store, parental guidance about corner stores, and what their ideal, or “dream corner store” would look like. Thematic analysis was employed to identify themes using ATLAS.ti (version 6.1, 2010, ATLAS.ti GmbH) and Excel (version 2010, Microsoft Corp). SettingFocus groups were conducted in nine kindergarten-through-grade 8 (K-8) public schools in low-income neighborhoods with 40 fourth- to sixth-graders with a mean age of 10.9±0.8 years. ResultsYouth report going to corner stores with family members at an early age. By second and third grades, a growing number of youth reported shopping unaccompanied by an older sibling or adult. Youth reported that the products sold in stores were the key reason they choose a specific store. A small number of youth said their parents offered guidance on their corner store purchases. When youth were asked what their dream corner store would look like, they mentioned wanting a combination of healthy and less-healthy foods. ConclusionThese data suggest that, among low-income, urban youth, corner store shopping starts at a very young age and that product, price, and location are key factors that affect corner store selection. The data also suggest that few parents offer guidance about corner store purchases, and youth are receptive to having healthier items in corner stores. Corner store intervention efforts should target young children and their parents/caregivers and aim to increase the availability of affordable, healthier products.

Valor, Satisfação e Recomendação Espontânea para uma Marca Varejista

Investigou-se, para uma amostra de 275 clientes das lojas conceito e franqueadas da Havaianas, os fatores determinantes do valor, da satisfao e recomendao espontnea. A reviso bibliogrfica e a entrevista com o gestor da loja conceito permitiram identificar os aspectos principais, testar o modelo estrutural e comparar os resultados por tipo de loja. Os atributos da marca e os da loja influenciam o valor, e indiretamente a satisfao, e o boca a boca para a marca e loja. Ainda, os clientes da loja conceito tendem a ficar mais satisfeitos e fazer mais recomendao espontnea que os clientes das lojas franqueadas.

Emolabeling effectively reduces the influence of ambiguous labeling on food packages among grocery store shoppers.

Despite increased regulations and policy enforcement for nutrition labeling, ambiguous labels on food items can still have deleterious effects on consumer perceptions of health. The present study used a counterbalanced within-subjects design to test if emolabeling—the use of emoticons to convey health information (happy = healthy; sad = not healthy)—will reduce the effects of ambiguous labels on consumer perceptions of the healthfulness of a food item. 85 grocery store shoppers were shown nutrition labels for a low calorie (LC) and a high calorie (HC) food with/without emolabels, and with an ambiguous label that either implied the food was healthy or unhealthy. Results showed that emolabels reduced the effectiveness of ambiguous labels: consumers rated the LC food as healthier and the HC food as less healthy when emolabels were added. The results suggest that, if implemented, this image-based emolabeling system could possibly be an effective buffer against the use of ambiguous labeling by food manufacturers.

Development and use of a digital signage system for revitalizing regional shopping districts

In Japan, regional shopping districts are on the decline because residents prefer suburban-type large-scale shopping stores. Such issues can be addressed in the context of the “Smart City”, of which functions depend on the information and communication technology (ICT). We established the “KIT Digital Signage Project,” which aims to help the regional stores around the Kanazawa Institute of Technology (KIT). In our project, we developed a digital signage system that is low-cost and easy to introduce in small stores. We conducted an experiment to evaluate the effect of our system. During the experiment, store-advertising movies were shown on digital signage terminals, which were placed in each store. The total average watching time and audience rate of our system were 24 s and 50%, respectively. In addition, we investigated the educational aspects of our project. The students in our project could master movie production in a shorter time when compared against learning it as an ordinary classroom subject. The future plans of our project are also discussed.

CONTAMINATION OF THE HANDLES AND BASES OF SHOPPING CARTS BY PATHOGENIC AND MULTI-DRUG RESISTANT BACTERIA

Background and Aims: Shopping carts (SCs) are considered as highly contaminated public surfaces, and may play a role in transmission of some harbor heterotrophic bacteria to human being. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the hygienic conditions and presence of heterotrophic bacteria on the surface of the handles and bases of SCs taken from shopping stores in Al-Mafraq city, Jordan. Methods: Five different SCs were selected randomly from four shopping stores (designated as A, B, C and D) during May through June, 2011. Two dry swab samples were taken from each SC, one from the handle and another one from the base. All samples were cultured on nutrient agar as none selective medium and incubated aerobically at 37 °C for 48 hours. The resulting number of colony forming units (CFUs) in each plate was converted to CFU per cm 2 surface area. The species of bacterial isolates were determined by biochemical tests and 16S rDNA sequencing. Results: The number of heterotrophic bacteria per SC range between 6 to 133 CFU/cm 2 surface area for the cart handles and between 6 to 300 CFU/cm 2 surface area for the cart bases, indicating higher numbers of heterotrophic bacteria in the cart bases as well as more fluctuations in the number of heterotrophic bacteria at the handles and bases of SCs. These analyses also confirmed the presence of seven coliform and three noncoliform species on the tested surface of the handles and bases of the selected stores. These include E. coli spp., Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Burkholderia cepacia, Yersinia enterocolitica, Tatumeella ptyseas, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella sonnei, Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus pumilus.

Co-operation in the supermarket aisle: young children’s accounts of family food shopping

Purpose– Children are increasingly seen as active consumers participating in various aspects of family food consumption. The purpose of this paper is to look at children’s first-hand accounts of their visits to the supermarket and reports on their in store experiences as participants in the family food shopping. It offers an account of family food shopping from the perspective of the children.Design/methodology/approach– Qualitative discussion groups with children aged eight to 11 years research were used to elicit children’s perceptions of food shopping as part of a study into food consumption experiences. This offers an opportunity to capture the children’s perspective on this everyday consumption activity.Findings– Engaging in family food shopping is part of a socialisation process that introduces children to food retail environments and to shopping scripts played out in store. Young children claim to actively participate in family food shopping in store contributing in a variety of ways to family food purchases that includes making requests in store, negotiating over product choices and assisting with the food shopping. The strategies employed by the children include restricting requests to specific product categories (usually for sweets, or cereals or products for their school lunchbox); selecting products on behalf of other family members; dissuading parents for buying certain food items and helping out in store. Most of the first-hand accounts reflect a positive experience with children contributing to the food decisions that relate directly to their interests. The research finds relatively little conflict and more co-operation between children and their parents in an attempt to influence what goes into the shopping trolley.Research limitations/implications– This is a small exploratory study with a geographically constrained sample. The children’s accounts cannot be verified but are presented as a way of looking at how children themselves relate to the family food shopping experience. Future research might extend the geographical scope of this investigation and consider soliciting parental views to validate the children’s accounts.Practical implications– This work provides further evidence of the ways in which children are actively included as part of family food decisions in a supermarket context. Children’s in store contributions to family food can inform retailers and companies as well as policy makers.Originality/value– This offers a unique insight into how children view shopping with the family and relates more broadly to the discussion around children’s consumption and their role as active consumers.

Corner store purchases made by adults, adolescents and children: items, nutritional characteristics and amount spent.

Corner stores, also known as bodegas, are prevalent in low-income urban areas and primarily stock high-energy foods and beverages. Little is known about individual-level purchases in these locations. The purpose of the present study was to assess corner store purchases (items, nutritional characteristics and amount spent) made by children, adolescents and adults in a low-income urban environment. Evaluation staff used 9238 intercept surveys to directly examine food and beverage purchases. Intercepts were collected at 192 corner stores in Philadelphia, PA, USA. Participants were adult, adolescent and child corner store shoppers. Among the 9238 intercept surveys, there were 20 244 items. On average, at each corner store visit, consumers purchased 2.2 (sd 2.1) items (1.3 (sd 2.0) foods and 0.9 (sd 0.9) beverages) that cost $US 2.74 (sd $US 3.52) and contained 2786.5 (sd 4454.2) kJ (666.0 (sd 1064.6) kcal). Whether the data were examined as a percentage of total items purchased or as a percentage of intercepts, the most common corner store purchases were beverages, chips, prepared food items, pastries and candy. Beverage purchases occurred during 65.9% of intercepts and accounted for 39.2% of all items. Regular soda was the most popular beverage purchase. Corner store purchases averaged 66.2 g of sugar, 921.1 mg of sodium and 2.5 g of fibre per intercept. Compared with children and adolescents, adults spent the most money and purchased the most energy. Urban corner store shoppers spent almost $US 3.00 for over 2700 kJ (650 kcal) per store visit. Obesity prevention efforts may benefit from including interventions aimed at changing corner store food environments in low-income, urban areas.

Groceries and Gum: Chewing Gum Influences Grocery Store Shopping

Impulse shopping in grocery stores – particularly when hungry – has been shown to encourage purchasing an increased percentage of less healthy food, such as potato chips and other ready-to-eat snacks. If one's craving of these foods could be interrupted or otherwise reduced, it could result in healthier shopping behavior. A lab study and a grocery store field study were conducted. In the lab study, 59 undergraduates were asked to shop at a simulated online grocery store. Half had been given sugarless chewing gum to chew and half were given nothing. A followup was conducted in the field at a small grocery store with 289 adults. We measured number of healthier foods relative to overall food purchases for the first study, and hunger and cravings (on 9-point likert scales) for the second study. In the lab study, those chewing gum selected 21.25% fewer bags of chips and Doritos and 17.89% more fruits and vegetables compared to those who were not chewing gum. The overall ratio of healthier foods to less healthy foods in their shopping basket increased by 14.69% (p = 0.03). The field study results did not yield significant enhancements in the proportion of healthier purchases, however, possibly due to low average purchase quantities. There was, however, a significant reduction in self-reported hunger for chewers (p = .03), as well as directional reductions in self-reported cravings. Chewing gum while shopping appears to lead consumers to select healthier food. In a lab study, gum chewers selected more fruits and vegetables and fewer processed foods, such as potato chips. There is early self-reported evidence that this may occur due to craving reduction.

Social interaction, convenience and customer satisfaction: The mediating effect of customer experience

The present study is an effort to investigate the impact of both convenience and social interaction on customer satisfaction and the mediating role of customer experience. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data (n=840) using systematic sampling from department store shoppers of age 18 years and above in India. Multivariate data analysis techniques like Exploratory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling were used to analyze the data. Results revealed that convenience and social interaction affect both customer experience and customer satisfaction. Arguably, this paper is the first to examine the four constructs namely, social interaction, convenience, customer satisfaction and customer experience using them together in the same model. Academic and managerial implications are further discussed.

Factors affecting Indian shoppers׳ attitude and purchase intention: An empirical check

The objective of this study was to examine affecting factors that influence Indian consumers׳ attitude toward retailers and purchase intention from the retailers. A questionnaire was used to collect data using systematic sampling from department store shoppers of age 18 years and above in Kolkata, a metropolitan city of India. Structural equation modelling (n=355) was used to examine the impact of affecting factors on consumers׳ attitude toward retailers and the impact of consumers׳ attitude toward retailers on purchase intention. Results indicated that the factors namely self-congruity, retailer awareness, retailer associations and retailer perceived quality have significant positive impacts on consumer׳s attitude toward retailers. The results also indicated that consumers׳ attitude toward retailers positively influences purchase intention. Arguably, this paper was the first to explore such linkages between the affecting factors that influence consumers׳ attitude toward retailers and purchase intention in Indian context.

Store personality and consumer store choice behaviour: an empirical examination

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to explore the influences of store attributes on store personality dimensions across different consumer segments. Subsequently, the study examines impact of store personality dimensions on consumer store choice behaviour.Design/methodology/approach– A mall-intercept survey was undertaken using a systematic sampling of department store shoppers of age 18 years and above in Kolkata, a metropolitan city of India. Questionnaire was used to collect data from busy shopping malls or centres located in different places of Kolkata. Multiple regression analysis is used to examine the objectives of this study.Findings– Results revealed that different sets of store attributes positively affect the various store personality dimensions differently across the segments. The study also found the positive impacts of store personality dimensions on consumer store choice behaviour.Originality/value– Arguably, this study is the first to explore the link between store attributes and store personality across the consumer segments, and the impacts of store personality dimensions on consumer store choice behaviour.

An Across-Store Analysis of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Cross-Category Effects

An important part of the rapidly growing shopper marketing practice is cross-category retail management. In managing two related product categories, retailers face some important questions: Which category should be stocked more? How close to each other should they be stocked in the store (aisle adjacency)? Which category should be promoted more often? And when should the two categories be sold as a bundle? To address these questions, we examine how purchases of related product and subproduct categories influence one another, and how the relative aisle locations of two related product categories influence their respective purchases. We consider both extrinsic (aisle location-based) and intrinsic (affinity-based) cross-category effects. Using aggregate store level data together with store descriptor and store shopper demographic data, we estimate a simultaneous system of models for two related product categories, soft drinks and salty snacks. We also estimate a system of salty snack subcategory purchase models. We find that both extrinsic and intrinsic cross-category effects are asymmetric, that is, different categories and subcategories have different effects on one another. We discuss the theoretical and managerial implications of these findings.

Building Store Satisfaction Centred on Customer Retention in Clothing Retailing

The study’s research model suggests that store design and ease of shopping are associated with customer retention through a mediated pathway in which store design and ease of shopping influence perceived store satisfaction, which in turn, influences customer retention. This survey was administered to two separate clothing stores offered to either females or males (in total, 533 participants). Using structural equation modelling methodology, data was analysed to explain the interrelations among the variables in the model. The results of an empirical study of a sample of store shoppers revealed that store design and ease of shopping influence customer retention in an indirect way through customer perception of satisfaction with the store. In building store satisfaction that is centred on customer retention, store design and shopping ease differ in their relative influences. This difference is high for females, but for men as low as to be considered negligible in males. As a result, improving customers’ perceptions of store design and ease of shopping is a way to ensure store satisfaction support customer retention. The results of the study provide a new insight into the relationships by suggesting indirect effects of shopping ease and store design on consumer retention by their impacts on store satisfaction, rather than direct effects.

A shift Paradigm of Consumer towards online shopping

Shopping has paradigm shift due to the influence of technology with most people preferring online shopping to the traditional physical store shopping. This research aims to understand the comparison between online shopping & physical shopping. Refer to study the Shifting of consumer behavior towards these modes of shopping compare towards other shopping mode like physical shopping mode which was trend in past. This paper identified that male population tend to shop more online shopping rather than physical shopping compare to female but there is no significance between gender & shopping mode. Physical Buying is preferred due to faith of the people about the transition of money & product physically. People are slowly going for online shopping preference but the majority of people go to physical shopping as it is having trust, feel and touch of the product. In the research outcome says that flipkart and jabong are the major players in the online retail and online shopping compare to other mode in the Bihar Region & this trend is going to increase further in future.

A typology of Indian hypermarket shoppers based on shopping motivation

Purpose – Hypermarket is the most successful amongst organised retail formats in India. The purpose of this paper is to identify segments of hypermarket shoppers based on shopping motivation. The study profiles the identified segments on demographic characteristics and shopping outcomes, and compares the shopping motivation of hypermarket consumers with that of traditional store shoppers. Design/methodology/approach – The study involved a survey of 201 actual shoppers in a hypermarket and that of 117 actual shoppers in 20 traditional stores. Principal components analysis of the motives for shopping at hypermarket and traditional store identified the respective dimensions of shopping motivation. Cluster analysis of the factor scores obtained on shopping motivation at hypermarket revealed the typology of hypermarket shoppers. Chi-square test and MANOVA were used to profile the identified segments of hypermarket shoppers on demographic characteristics and shopping outcomes respectively. Findings – Results revealed different dimensions of motivation to shop at the hypermarket and traditional store and four types of hypermarket shoppers were identified: utilitarians, maximisers, browsers and enthusiasts. The utilitarians are motivated by functional benefits such as the price and variety of products; the maximisers seek functional as well as recreational benefits; the browsers are high on social motivation; and the enthusiasts are high on all dimensions of shopping motivation. These segments showed overall significant differences on demographic characteristics and shopping outcomes. Practical implications – The proposal for allowing FDI in multi-brand retail in India, a rapidly emerging market for global retail players, is at an advanced stage of policy making. Many national and multi-national retailers are in the process of expansion in India. This study adds to their understanding of Indian consumers. Based on the identified typology, the study suggests different strategies to target different segments of hypermarket shoppers. Originality/value – The study contributes to the growing field of cross-cultural research on shopping motivation by highlighting the typology of Indian hypermarket shoppers.

Linkages of retailer personality, perceived quality and purchase intention with retailer loyalty: A study of Indian non-food retailing

The present study was an effort to explore the direct and indirect (through retailer perceived quality and purchase intention) impacts of retailer personality on store loyalty. Questionnaire was used to collect data using systematic sampling from non-food retail store shoppers of age 18 years and above in Kolkata, a metropolitan city of India. Multivariate data analysis techniques like structural equation modeling were used to analyze the data. Results supported both the direct and indirect impacts of retailer personality on retailer equity. Interestingly, the extent of indirect impact of retailer personality on retailer loyalty is greater than direct impact. Arguably, this paper is the first to explore the linkages among retailer personality, perceived quality, purchase intention and store loyalty. Academic and managerial implications are further discussed.

Impact of Store Personality Antecedents on Store Personality Dimensions: An Empirical Study of Department Retail Brands

The objective of this study was to explore the impact of store personality antecedents on store personality dimensions. A mall-intercept survey was undertaken using a systematic sampling of department store shoppers of age 18 years and above in Kolkata, a metropolitan city of India. Questionnaire was used to collect data from busy shopping malls or centres located in different places of Kolkata with systematic sampling. The impact of store personality antecedents on store personality dimensions was explored using stepwise regression analysis. Results revealed that different sets of store personality antecedent affect various department store personality dimensions differently. The impacts of all sets are positive and significant. Arguably, this article was the first to explore the link between store personality antecedents and store personality dimensions in Indian and department store personality contexts.

Impacts of retail brand personality and self-congruity on store loyalty: The moderating role of gender

The present study was an effort to investigate the impacts of both retail brand personality and self-congruity, using them together in the same study, on store loyalty. Subsequently, this study explored the moderating role of gender in these relationships of retail brand personality and self-congruity with store loyalty. Questionnaire was used to collect data (n=355) using systematic sampling from department store shoppers of age 18 years and above in Kolkata, a metropolitan city of India. Multivariate data analysis techniques like exploratory factor analysis, structural equation modeling were used to analyse the data. Results revealed that both retail brand personality and self-congruity constructs have positive impacts on store loyalty and gender significantly moderates these impacts. Arguably, this paper is the first to examine the three constructs namely, retail brand personality, self-congruity and store loyalty using them together in the same model. Academic and managerial implications are further discussed.

The qualia product design of the National Palace Museum in Taipei

ABSTRACTThis article is focused on product design in the National Palace Museum (NPM) in Taipei, Taiwan. Because of the rapid rise in product design in recent years, the Taiwanese government has emphasized ‘qualia’, the emotional value or sense of quality goods. The NPM is being used as the flagship to create national policies for the cultural product design industry. The article chooses the most well-known collection at the NPM — the Jadeite Cabbage — as the subject of the research in order to apply the qualia concept. The subjects of this study are products from the NPM's gift shop and online store. Some suggestions for improving product design and administrative measures are provided.

The Effect of Functional-congruity and Self-congruity on Coffee Shop User's Consumption-related Emotions and Store Attitude Formation

The Effect of Functional-congruity and Self-congruity on Coffee Shop User's Consumption-related Emotions and Store Attitude Formation