The purpose of this study was to conduct brand analyses on global brands in comparison to local retailers in India taking into account the regional differences and Indian consumers’ affinity towards global brands. The study has derived its conceptual framework from previous work done by Lee, Knight, and Kim (2008) and Bhardwaj, Kumar and Youn-Kyung (2010) with some added attributes. Quantitative data included a sample of 194 subjects where the sampling was conducted randomly as well as the involvement of convenient method to analyze the brands in real-world scenario. The survey involved the questionnaire which was utilized in previous researches and analyzed under the light of statistical treatment. The results confirm the importance of global brands (influence of European brand over American brand) over local brand in the Indian apparel consumer market.

The current study aims to investigate the feasibility of international apparel and footwear retailers to expand their business in Pakistan and compete with other brands. It also highlights the business opportunities in Pakistan apparel retail sector and the motivations of international brands behind expansions. This study was conducted with the help of interviews based on diamond model of Porter, and Hofsetede cultural dimensions. The open ended questions were delivered to the professionals electronically while interviews were conducted by telephone. Seven companies from Pakistan were selected for study purpose. Data was analyzed and assessed manually. The study revealed that there is a significant opportunity for international apparel retailers to launch their retail outlets in Pakistan along with some risks. International brands which are financially strong can tackle these risks. However it was concluded that the companies with less financial strength may find it difficult to go in a new market within 5 years. UK brands are already there and brands from other countries are also opening. Overall Pakistan retail sector is growing and people are becoming fashion conscious. This study provides information to International apparel brands which they can take into consideration while entering Pakistan's apparel retail market. It also gives an opportunity for assessment of market in the light of theoretical modules and shows a direction of getting better market share by launching.

With the rapid growth and competitiveness in the South African apparel retail industry, retailers and marketers face numerous challenges to remain competitive. Contributing to the dynamic nature of this phenomenon is the impulsive nature and individual preferences of consumers when buying apparel, which necessitate retailers to be more responsive towards consumer needs and preferences in order to attract potential, and retain existing, customers. This can be done by formulating a retail strategy that will enrich consumers' total retail experience. When developing a total retail experience, all the elements that would encourage or inhibit the consumer to buy from the retailer should be considered, which among others include the store attributes applied within the store environment. This implies that apparel retailers, and especially those selling casual wear, should identify the importance attached to store attributes of their particular target market and how satisfied they are with the attributes offered. Since consumers use store attributes during store selection, it is essential for retailers and marketers to understand consumer behaviour, and more specifically the consumer decision-making process, since store attributes are used as evaluative criteria during this process. To satisfy consumer needs, retailers should meet consumer expectations in order to generate a positive attitude towards the store, which will increase the chances of repeat patronage. Consumer expectations form an essential part throughout the consumer decision-making process, which in the end will determine whether consumers experience post-purchase satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Since consumer expectations are formed by previous experiences, marketers should ensure that they offer the necessary store attributes consumers perceive as important when purchasing products, services or selecting a store. Evidently, this will influence both consumers' satisfaction towards a certain retail store, as well as future store selection. The primary objective of this study was to determine the importance of, and satisfaction with, store attributes to black Generation X consumers when choosing a store selling casual wear. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to survey 252 black respondents at a mall in Soweto. The questionnaire aimed to determine which store attributes are important to black Generation X consumers when selecting a store selling casual wear, and how satisfied they were with the store attributes offered by the store they most often buy casual wear from. Results identified 10 reliable Importance factors when determining which factors black Generation X consumers consider when selecting a store selling casual wear, namely service provided by salespeople; check-out points, dressing. rooms, store hours and proximity to store; display of casual wear and in-store advertising; store appearance, styles, sizes and quality of casual wear; physical facilities to enhance shopping convenience; offering cell phones and accessories; music played; price of casual wear; variety of brand names and credit card facilities; and the alteration of clothing and lay-buy services. It was also found that respondents were less satisfied with certain store attributes offered by the store they most often buy their casual wear from when compared to how important these factors were to them, including service provided by salespeople, check-out points, dressing rooms, store hours and proximity to the store. It is recommended that retailers who sell casual wear to black Generation X consumers should determine which attributes are considered as important to their target market and apply it in their retail and marketing strategies accordingly. It is also recommended that stores selling casual wear should conduct research to determine whether differences exist between their target markets' demographic profile with regard to the importance of store attributes as well as their satisfaction with those attributes offered by the store. Based on these results, marketers will be able to identify the attributes consumers are not satisfied with, which gives the opportunity for improving and amending strategies and gaining a competitive advantage. Future research can focus on the importance of store attributes to black Generation X consumers or other groups in other units of analysis, such as different retail formats and industries, as well as expanding the study to include more geographic areas. / Thesis (M.Com. (Marketing Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Since the retail industry is marked by intense competition, retailers must examine the factors influencing the buying behaviour of their targeted consumers and ensure that they formulate a retail strategy that contributes to a pleasant consumer retail experience. Consumers' total retail experience is determined by numerous store attributes that interact, implying that apparel retailers (and stores selling casual wear in particular) should be concerned with store attributes that are important to their target market as well as their satisfaction with the current store attributes they offer. In view of the fact that consumers evaluate store attributes when making store selections, it is imperative that stores selling casual wear must be familiar with consumer behaviour, specifically the consumer decision-making process, as this process guides consumers to determine if, what, when, where, how, from who and how often to purchase products and services. Consumers enter into a retail experience with a set of expectations of what they would like to happen and what store attributes should be present. Consumer expectations influence the manner in which store attributes and other stimuli from the retail environment are interpreted. Evidently, an attractive store environment can be perceived as unsatisfactory if it fails to meet consumers' desired level of expectations. Thus, expectations influence consumers' satisfaction with the retail experience as well as store attributes offered by the store, which in turn affects consumers' overall satisfaction and store selection choices. The primary objective of this study was to determine the importance of, and satisfaction with, store attributes to black Generation Y consumers when selecting a store selling casual wear. An interviewer-administrated questionnaire was developed to determine which store attributes are important to black Generation Y consumers when selecting a store selling casual wear and how satisfied they were with the store attributes offered by the store they most often buy their casual wear from. Respondents between the ages of 16 and 24 were intercepted at a mall in Soweto by means of a non-probability convenience sample. In total, 261 respondents participated in this study. Results indicated that nine reliable Importance factors when determining which factors black Generation Y respondents consider when selecting a store selling casual wear could be identified, namely Service provided by salespeople; Check-out points, dressing rooms, store hours and proximity to store; Display of casual wear and in-store advertising; Store appearance, styles, sizes and quality of casual wear; Physical facilities to enhance shopping convenience; Offering of cell phones and accessories; Music played; Price of casual wear; and Alteration of clothing and lay-buy services. Further analysis indicated that respondents were less satisfied with Store appearance, styles, sizes and quality of casual wear than the importance of this factor to them. Results also indicated• that practically significant differences exist between various demographic variables of respondents and the importance of, and satisfaction with, store attributes offered by stores selling casual wear. It is recommended that stores selling casual wear who target black Generation Y consumers focus on the above-mentioned Importance factors and ensure that these stores attributes form part of their retail and marketing strategies. Stores selling casual wear should furthermore focus on improving customer satisfaction on those store attributes that are important to their customers. It is also recommended that stores selling casual wear conduct research to determine whether differences exist pertaining to their customers' demographic profile and their satisfaction levels with store attributes. Based on these results, customers can be grouped accordingly to identify strategies for improving customer satisfaction with store attributes. Recommendations for future research include comparison studies among different black cultures in South Africa to determine whether consumers differ regarding store attributes that are important to them in store selection as well as their satisfaction with a store delivering on those store attributes. Similar studies could be conducted among different population groups, age groups, income levels and geographic regions, as well as between consumers in developed and developing countries. It is also worthwhile to consider duplicating the study for other product categories to determine which attributes black generation Y consumers consider important when buying other products. / Thesis (M.Com. (Business Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

With the rapid growth and competitiveness in the South African apparel retail industry, retailers and marketers face numerous challenges to remain competitive. Contributing to the dynamic nature of this phenomenon is the impulsive nature and individual preferences of consumers when buying apparel, which necessitate retailers to be more responsive towards consumer needs and preferences in order to attract potential, and retain existing, customers. This can be done by formulating a retail strategy that will enrich consumers' total retail experience. When developing a total retail experience, all the elements that would encourage or inhibit the consumer to buy from the retailer should be considered, which among others include the store attributes applied within the store environment. This implies that apparel retailers, and especially those selling casual wear, should identify the importance attached to store attributes of their particular target market and how satisfied they are with the attributes offered. Since consumers use store attributes during store selection, it is essential for retailers and marketers to understand consumer behaviour, and more specifically the consumer decision-making process, since store attributes are used as evaluative criteria during this process. To satisfy consumer needs, retailers should meet consumer expectations in order to generate a positive attitude towards the store, which will increase the chances of repeat patronage. Consumer expectations form an essential part throughout the consumer decision-making process, which in the end will determine whether consumers experience post-purchase satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Since consumer expectations are formed by previous experiences, marketers should ensure that they offer the necessary store attributes consumers perceive as important when purchasing products, services or selecting a store. Evidently, this will influence both consumers' satisfaction towards a certain retail store, as well as future store selection. The primary objective of this study was to determine the importance of, and satisfaction with, store attributes to black Generation X consumers when choosing a store selling casual wear. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to survey 252 black respondents at a mall in Soweto. The questionnaire aimed to determine which store attributes are important to black Generation X consumers when selecting a store selling casual wear, and how satisfied they were with the store attributes offered by the store they most often buy casual wear from. Results identified 10 reliable Importance factors when determining which factors black Generation X consumers consider when selecting a store selling casual wear, namely service provided by salespeople; check-out points, dressing. rooms, store hours and proximity to store; display of casual wear and in-store advertising; store appearance, styles, sizes and quality of casual wear; physical facilities to enhance shopping convenience; offering cell phones and accessories; music played; price of casual wear; variety of brand names and credit card facilities; and the alteration of clothing and lay-buy services. It was also found that respondents were less satisfied with certain store attributes offered by the store they most often buy their casual wear from when compared to how important these factors were to them, including service provided by salespeople, check-out points, dressing rooms, store hours and proximity to the store. It is recommended that retailers who sell casual wear to black Generation X consumers should determine which attributes are considered as important to their target market and apply it in their retail and marketing strategies accordingly. It is also recommended that stores selling casual wear should conduct research to determine whether differences exist between their target markets' demographic profile with regard to the importance of store attributes as well as their satisfaction with those attributes offered by the store. Based on these results, marketers will be able to identify the attributes consumers are not satisfied with, which gives the opportunity for improving and amending strategies and gaining a competitive advantage. Future research can focus on the importance of store attributes to black Generation X consumers or other groups in other units of analysis, such as different retail formats and industries, as well as expanding the study to include more geographic areas. / Thesis (M.Com. (Marketing Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Since the retail industry is marked by intense competition, retailers must examine the factors influencing the buying behaviour of their targeted consumers and ensure that they formulate a retail strategy that contributes to a pleasant consumer retail experience. Consumers' total retail experience is determined by numerous store attributes that interact, implying that apparel retailers (and stores selling casual wear in particular) should be concerned with store attributes that are important to their target market as well as their satisfaction with the current store attributes they offer. In view of the fact that consumers evaluate store attributes when making store selections, it is imperative that stores selling casual wear must be familiar with consumer behaviour, specifically the consumer decision-making process, as this process guides consumers to determine if, what, when, where, how, from who and how often to purchase products and services. Consumers enter into a retail experience with a set of expectations of what they would like to happen and what store attributes should be present. Consumer expectations influence the manner in which store attributes and other stimuli from the retail environment are interpreted. Evidently, an attractive store environment can be perceived as unsatisfactory if it fails to meet consumers' desired level of expectations. Thus, expectations influence consumers' satisfaction with the retail experience as well as store attributes offered by the store, which in turn affects consumers' overall satisfaction and store selection choices. The primary objective of this study was to determine the importance of, and satisfaction with, store attributes to black Generation Y consumers when selecting a store selling casual wear. An interviewer-administrated questionnaire was developed to determine which store attributes are important to black Generation Y consumers when selecting a store selling casual wear and how satisfied they were with the store attributes offered by the store they most often buy their casual wear from. Respondents between the ages of 16 and 24 were intercepted at a mall in Soweto by means of a non-probability convenience sample. In total, 261 respondents participated in this study. Results indicated that nine reliable Importance factors when determining which factors black Generation Y respondents consider when selecting a store selling casual wear could be identified, namely Service provided by salespeople; Check-out points, dressing rooms, store hours and proximity to store; Display of casual wear and in-store advertising; Store appearance, styles, sizes and quality of casual wear; Physical facilities to enhance shopping convenience; Offering of cell phones and accessories; Music played; Price of casual wear; and Alteration of clothing and lay-buy services. Further analysis indicated that respondents were less satisfied with Store appearance, styles, sizes and quality of casual wear than the importance of this factor to them. Results also indicated• that practically significant differences exist between various demographic variables of respondents and the importance of, and satisfaction with, store attributes offered by stores selling casual wear. It is recommended that stores selling casual wear who target black Generation Y consumers focus on the above-mentioned Importance factors and ensure that these stores attributes form part of their retail and marketing strategies. Stores selling casual wear should furthermore focus on improving customer satisfaction on those store attributes that are important to their customers. It is also recommended that stores selling casual wear conduct research to determine whether differences exist pertaining to their customers' demographic profile and their satisfaction levels with store attributes. Based on these results, customers can be grouped accordingly to identify strategies for improving customer satisfaction with store attributes. Recommendations for future research include comparison studies among different black cultures in South Africa to determine whether consumers differ regarding store attributes that are important to them in store selection as well as their satisfaction with a store delivering on those store attributes. Similar studies could be conducted among different population groups, age groups, income levels and geographic regions, as well as between consumers in developed and developing countries. It is also worthwhile to consider duplicating the study for other product categories to determine which attributes black generation Y consumers consider important when buying other products. / Thesis (M.Com. (Business Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Problem: E-commerce is a rapidly growing business sector across the world and provides interesting expansion opportunities for retail businesses. However, differing consumer attitudes across borders create barriers for expansion, and subsequently there is a need to study these differences. Purpose: The primary purpose of this study is to examine potential differences between Chinese and Swedish consumer’s attitudes and online shopping intentions when purchasing apparel online. The secondary purpose of this study is to contribute to the TAM by adding constructs that facilitate a cross-cultural examination in an e-commerce context. Methodology: This study is explorative and descriptive and has applied a qualitative research approach. The data has been collected primarily by conducting focus groups in both China and in Sweden. Findings: Differences in consumer’s attitudes and intentions toward online shopping between China and Sweden were identified. The main differences were the perceived overall usefulness of online shopping and the level of risk that consumers perceived in online shopping. Risk related constructs added to the TAM were found to be relevant, while the relevance of certain culturally related dimensions added were questionable.

Master of Science / Department of Apparel, Textiles, and Interior Design / Melody L. A. LeHew / The Textile and Apparel (TA) industry has become increasingly criticized for its massive environmental pollution through unsustainable production and distribution. In addition, key stakeholders are equally recognizing the need for cleaning up the industry. However, TA manufacturers, brands, and retailers need to be more aware of the necessity of sustainable production and distribution. At the same time, TA consumers need to be more aware of the necessity of sustainable consumption, care, and disposal of clothing. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether social networking sites (SNS) have any potential to increase consumer awareness of TA-related environmental sustainability issues. The specific research objectives were to investigate 1) whether engagement with TA-related environmental information in a SNS platform (i.e., Facebook) enhanced participants’ knowledge of TA environmental sustainability issues; 2) which format of TA-related environmental information sharing stimulated a higher level of SNS engagement and greater knowledge change; and 3) which content of TA-related environmental information sharing stimulated a higher level of SNS engagement and greater knowledge change. One group pretest-posttest experimental design was used, and mixed method approach was employed. Participants responded to a study-specific textile and apparel environmental sustainability knowledge (TAESK) scale before and after a Facebook experiment. The experiment included engaging with TA environmental information for a two-week period in a Facebook page. The researcher was the creator and administrator of the page. Quantitative data analysis included descriptive statistics, the Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks test, and multiple regression analysis. Qualitative analysis included conventional content analysis techniques. Findings from Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks test indicated that the experiment increased participants’ knowledge of TA environmental sustainability significantly (Z= -5.274, p< 0.001). Descriptive statistics revealed that video and infographic-type posts stimulated greater participants engagement than weblink (i.e., text based) posts. Likewise, participants were engaged with water and waste-related content of TA environmental sustainability more so than chemical and energy related content. However, the multiple regression analysis which was employed to identify the weighted influence of different formats and content of TA environmental sustainability information towards knowledge gain, provided limited information. This exploratory study provided some support for the usefulness of incorporating SNSs as part of an educational strategy by TA brands and policymakers advocating for sustainable TA production and distribution. Such a strategy may be one way to increase consumer awareness. Also, the findings of this study may motivate TA educators to weigh the potential of SNSs in teaching and learning activities related to TA sustainability issues.

Orientador: José Elias Tomazini / Banca: Luiz Fernando Costa Nascimento / Banca: Jose Geraldo Trani Brandão / Banca: Carlos Alberto Chaves / Banca: Eurico Arruda Filho / Resumo: No corpo humano o sistema ósteo-articular dá a sustentação ao corpo humano e sobre ele o sistema muscular e outros tecidos que compõem o aparelho locomotor. Apesar da flexibilidade existente nos músculos, o estudo clássico da biomecânica considera os membros do aparelho locomotor humano como sendo corpos rígidos. Para analisar e estudar tais sistemas, os vários componentes devem ser identificados e suas propriedades físicas determinadas, a fim de se obter as equações que regem o seu movimento. Tal procedimento pode ser feito utilizando-se o modelo multicorpo, para o qual, neste trabalho, foi empregado o método de Kane. Os dados de entrada, como forças no pé durante a marcha, foram coletados por meio de uma plataforma de força, acoplada a uma esteira ergométrica que utilizou extensômetros, e, simultaneamente, com o auxílio de LEDS, foi possível obter dados da filmagem. Para este modelo físico foram utilizados programas, tais como AutoLev, Excel, AutoCad e Fortran. De posse do modelo, foram feitas as análises comparativas dos torques e forças verticais e horizontais no quadril e joelho de amputados e não-amputados, bem como a análise estatística não-paramétrica nos dois grupos, utilizando-se o método de Mann Whitney, com significância de 10≤α%, na qual foi constatado que os torques no quadril dos amputados são estatisticamente diferentes dos torques dos não-amputados; já no joelho esta diferença ocorre em 50% do passo. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas nas forças entre os dois grupos, exceto em alguns instantes do ciclo da marcha na força cortante. / Abstract: The osteo-articulate system is what gives the sustenance to the body and to the muscular and other tissue system that compose the locomotor apparel. In spite of the existent flexibility in the muscles, the classic study of the biomechanics considers the members of the human locomotor apparel as being rigid bodies. To analyze and to study such systems, the various components should be identified and their physical properties determined, in order to obtain the equations that govern their movement. Such procedure can be made using the multi-body model, for which, in this work, the method of Kane was used. The entrance data, as forces under the foot during the march, were collected using a platform of force, which is a treadmill with extensometers, and, simultaneously, with the aid of LEDS, it was possible to obtain data of the filming. For this physical model programs were used, such as: AutoLev, Excel, AutoCad and Fortran. By utilizing the model, it was possible to make the comparative analyses of the torques and vertical and horizontal forces in the hip and knee of amputee and no amputee, and also the nonparametric statistical analysis using Mann Whitney's method, with value of 10≤α%, in which was verified that the torques in the hip of those amputees are different to the no amputee; in the knee this difference happens in between 50% of the steps. There were not found significant differences of forces among the two groups, there were exceptions in some moments of the gait cycle at the shear force. / Doutor

O presente estudo aborda o processo de desenvolvimento da modelagem da calça jeans feminina e suas particularidades, propondo, de acordo com a experiência prática do autor, diretrizes para construir seu diagrama e molde. Este trabalho busca como resultado a modelagem dessa peça de vestuário que seja adequada a um número considerável de corpos e vá ao encontro da anatomia feminina brasileira. Assim, ao vivenciar empiricamente o traçado dos moldes da referida peça em diversas situações nas empresas nas quais trabalhou e trabalha, o autor do presente estudo compilou, de forma sistêmica, as diretrizes apresentadas aqui, desde o traçado do diagrama e molde, passando pelos ajustes necessários ao bom caimento da peça e à adaptação de modelos, a partir do molde base. Desta forma, o conjunto de diretrizes resultantes do presente estudo fundamenta-se, principalmente, na vivência prática do autor, ajustada à bibliografia específica do setor. Para tal procedimento, fez-se uso do método empírico-investigativo, que partiu de experimentações e combinou técnicas de modelagens conhecidas pelo autor / This study discusses the development process of patternmaking women\'s jeans pants and its peculiarities, propose, according to the experience of the author, guidelines for building your diagram. This work aims at patternmaking as a result of this piece of clothing that is suitable to a large number of bodies and meets the Brazilian female anatomy. Thus, the empirical experience of the layout templates that play in various situations in business where he worked and works, the author has compiled the present study, in a systematic way the guidelines presented here, since the layout of the diagram, through the adjustments necessary for the proper trim part and adaptation of models, from the basic base. Thus, the set of guidelines resulting from this study is based mainly on practical experience of the author, adjusted to specific references in the industry. For this procedure made use of empirical investigative method that left trials and combined patternmaking techniques known by the author