Originally published as the International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, Volume 35 Issue 6-7
ISBN: 978 1 84663 506 9
Guest Edited by: Charles Dennis and Tamira King
Shopping has never been merely about purchasing, but also about experience, enjoyment and entertainment.
The articles in this two-part Special Issue provide insights into how the (e-)retail sector is responding (or should respond) to the challenges of social and experiential retailing. Part 1 offers a more theoretical approach, whilst part 2 addresses some of the more applied aspects of social and experiential retailing.
Contents:
Part 1 (35.6)
An integrative framework capturing experiential and utilitarian shopping experience
In line with changes in consumer demand, models used in empirical study of the shopping experience have expanded. Reflecting the integrative (experiential and utilitarian) nature of shopping experience, the article aims to propose an overarching stimulus-organism-response based shopping experience framework.
A commentary on social and experiential (e-)retailing and (e-)shopping deserts
The last ten years have seen a gradual withdrawal of retail facilities from many local areas and the consequent growth of “shopping deserts” resulting in social and health disbenefits. The purpose of this article is to examine the potential for e-shopping to fill the vacuum and to assist disadvantaged shoppers.
Planning for health: generation, regeneration and food in Sandwell
This article examines a case study for increasing supply of, and demand for, healthier food in the metropolitan Borough of Sandwell, West Midlands, UK. By considering both the built environment and the population's health the paper aims to demonstrate how local action is driving strategic food policy.
Shopping for pleasure? Shopping experiences of Hungarian consumers
This article examines motives and behaviour in shopping centres in Hungary, which has seen rapid and recent development in its retail structure.
The shopping experience of female fashion leaders
The purpose of this article is to explore how the shopping mall environment impacts on hedonic and utilitarian shopping experiences, and approach behaviour of fashion leaders and followers.
Hedonic usage of product virtualization technologies in online apparel shopping
The purpose of this study is to investigate whether online apparel shoppers’ adoption of product virtualization technologies is facilitated more by hedonic motivations than functional motivations due to the hedonic nature of the product virtualization technologies.
Consumers online: intentions, orientations and segmentation
This paper examines the purchase intentions of online retail consumers, segmented by their purchase orientation. It concludes that consumer purchase orientations in both the traditional world and on the internet are largely similar.
Part 2 (35.7)
The Body Shop and the role of design in retail branding
Demonstrates how a specific company’s retail store design relates to its brand and is influenced by (and contributes to) its corporate values. In particular it highlights the difficulties in aligning a retailer’s visual identity with its brand and market.
Corporate brand image, satisfaction and store loyalty: a study of the store as a brand, store brands and manufacturer brands
This article addresses the importance of store branding by studying the impact of corporate retailer image in grocery retailing in Sweden. The author finds that there is a strong relationship between the store as a brand, customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Specialty retail center’s impact on downtown shopping, dining, and entertainment
Examines the impact of a USA festival marketplace on residents’ shopping, dining, and entertainment behaviour over an extended period.
Shopping motivation revised: a means-end chain analytical perspective
This article uses a means-end chain approach to explore the hierarchical nature of shopping motivation, and finds four dominant motivational patterns: shopping pleasure, frictionless shopping, value seeking, and quality seeking. It is particularly valuable in providing what may be the first empirical evidence of how consumers hierarchically organize cognitive structures relating to the benefits of shopping.
Personal privacy as a positive experience of shopping: an illustration through the case of online grocery shopping
Privacy is well known to be a major issue in e-shopping but the authors of this article demonstrate that it can contribute to a positive shopping experience. They draw upon social practice theory to develop a conceptual framework for personal privacy. Using e-grocery as an illustration in a consumer-centred, bottom-up approach, they demonstrate the value of two-way dialogues with consumers on sensitive issues.
Surveying the use of sound in online stores: practices, possibilities and pitfalls for user experience
There is a considerable potential to use sound as a part of the web atmosphere to improve the customer experience. The authors of this final article call on e-retailers to treat the online store interface as a tangible point of interaction with customers, rather than an inferior replication of a bricks and mortar store.
About the International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management
As its title suggests, the International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management offers genuinely global coverage of current practice, future trends and new developments and initiatives in a complex and challenging field. Detailed comparative studies from other countries allow you to appraise your own operations from a fresh angle. The latest research findings provide information for serious academics. As the journal is not allied to any retail or distribution organization, it has the freedom to bring critical perspectives to current ideas, and express objective opinions on key issues and controversial topics.
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