Purpose/Aim: The purpose of this thesis is to define and analyse how Swedish record companies work with digital musical content distributors. A more narrow aim is to show how the record companies and with the digital musical content distributors iTunes Music Store and Spotify create incentives for consumer’s to use legal digital music channels through the Internet. To further circle the core of the problem following questions have been asked: How does the record companies provide iTunes Music Store and Spotify with digital content and what is done by the record companies to retain control over the material? How do the record companies view digital musical sales and what incentives are given to consumers to buy music digitally? Finally, What position of power do iTunes Music Store and Spotify have on the digital content arena? Material/Method: The data collected for this thesis is retrieved through personal interviews with representatives from three of the four major record companies Universal Music, Warner Music and EMI and their Swedish branches. Main results: The consumer’s access to digital content through iTunes Music Store and Spotify is of the utmost importance and is a prerequisite. Even if the record companies choose to not demand DRM protection on their products it does not stop Apple from keeping their Fairplay protection. In this way Apple is the company controlling the files, even if the Record Companies have made their decision based on research, which has shown that sales go down if the music files are DRM protected. The record companies have chosen not to get involved with the sales of digital content. This results in power being shifted to E-tailers such as iTunes Music Store and Spotify. The incentives the consumers are given to buy music digitally are found in the surplus value, which is supported by iTunes Music Store and Spotify. These surplus values are such services as recommendations of music or artists. Different packaging solutions, such as subscriptions through an Internet provider, do not raise the value of the music. The value is added to the Internet provider’s products and not the music, but they do guarantee a steady income for the record companies.

In recent years, it is more and more popular to find Private Barnd in Convenience Stores, Hyper Markets, Super Markets and Boutique Stores. Private brand is the naturally outcome of chained retailers with bigger economic scale. It can bring more profits, and at the same time, it can raise the bargaining power of retailers to against the national brands. And most important of all, private barnd would create differentiated competitive adventage for reatilers. Therefore, it is very necessary for reatilers to understand consumers¡¦ attitudes and purchasing intentions for private brand products. Most of the researches in the past were focused on external characteristics, such as demograpghical variables but ingored consumers¡¦ psychological characteristics which usually dominate consumers¡¦ attitudes. And most of the researches were implemented based on Hyper or Super Market channels. This research wants to know how consumers feel about private barnd products in chained convenience stores, what kind of persons like or dislike private brands. Consumers¡¦ characteristics include psychological characteristics, demographical variables and store image. The research uses questionnaire method in front of convenience stores, and the main purpose of this questionnaire is to analyze the relationship between demographical variables, psychological variables, promotion intentions, store image, private brand attitudes, and private brands¡¦ purchasing intentions. The main research findings are listed as following: 1.When consumers¡¦ value consciousness is higher, their attitude for private brand would also be better. 2.Consumers who have more interests in promotion would have better attitude toward private label, especially the consumers who prefer price discount, their acceptance for private brands will be higher than those who prefer non-price promotion ( ex. Giftaway). 3.Consumers who have better store image will have better attitude toward private barnds accordingly. 4.Consumers¡¦ age has significant differences on the attitude of private brands. To sum it up, when consumers are elder, then they will have worse attitude toward private brands. 5.There are high consistence between attitude and purchasing intention.

Store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) is the major Ca2+ entry pathway in most non-excitable cells maintaining prolonged elevation of cytosolic Ca2+ levels required for gene transcription. SOCE is activated by the loss of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ through stromal interaction molecules (STIM), ER-membrane associated Ca2+ sensors. In humans, STIM1 and STIM2 share 65% sequence similarity but differentially regulate SOCE. Biophysical studies on the luminal Ca2+-binding region suggests that STIM2 EF-SAM is more stable than STIM1. The NMR structure of Ca2+-loaded STIM2 EF-SAM determined in this work suggests a more stable SAM and a tighter EF-hand and SAM interaction in STIM2 may be account for its higher stability. Chimeric swapping of the EF-hand and SAM domains generates an unstable ES211. Introducing ES211 into cherryFP-STIM1 shows constitutive puncta which activate SOCE independent of ER depletion. The current work demonstrates that the instability of the EF-SAM plays an important role in regulating SOCE initiation.

Store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) is the major Ca2+ entry pathway in most non-excitable cells maintaining prolonged elevation of cytosolic Ca2+ levels required for gene transcription. SOCE is activated by the loss of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ through stromal interaction molecules (STIM), ER-membrane associated Ca2+ sensors. In humans, STIM1 and STIM2 share 65% sequence similarity but differentially regulate SOCE. Biophysical studies on the luminal Ca2+-binding region suggests that STIM2 EF-SAM is more stable than STIM1. The NMR structure of Ca2+-loaded STIM2 EF-SAM determined in this work suggests a more stable SAM and a tighter EF-hand and SAM interaction in STIM2 may be account for its higher stability. Chimeric swapping of the EF-hand and SAM domains generates an unstable ES211. Introducing ES211 into cherryFP-STIM1 shows constitutive puncta which activate SOCE independent of ER depletion. The current work demonstrates that the instability of the EF-SAM plays an important role in regulating SOCE initiation.

I dagsläget finns inget system som övervakar en tullstation utan att man måste vara på plats på kontoret eller stationen. Denna rapport handlar om utvecklingen av en övervaknings applikation i Windows 8 store app miljö på uppdrag av Combitech AB mot kunden Kapsch TrafficCom. Applikationen utvecklades mot en Windows 8 surfplatta för att kunna övervaka en tullstation. Användargränssnitt är utvecklat i XAML och dess logik i C#. Onion Architecture har används för att bygga upp arkitekturen i applikationen. Resultatet av examensarbetet blev en fungerande prototyp av en övervaknings applikationen till en Windows 8 surfplatta, där innehållet genereras av en simulator. Applikationen visar användaren information om en specifik tullstation, exempelvis passager och event. / Today is there no system that monitors a tolling station without the need to be at the office or the tolling station. This report concerns the development of a monitoring application to Windows 8 store app environment on behalf of Combitech AB towards the customer Kapsch TrafficCom. The application was developed for a Windows 8 tablet to monitor a tolling station. The user interface was developed in XAML and its logic in C#. Onion Architecture has been used to build the architecture for the application. The result of this thesis was a working prototype of a monitoring application for Windows 8 tablet, where the content is generated by a simulator. The application displays information for the user about a specific tolling station, for example passages and events.

In an effort to deconcentrate poverty, Atlanta is attempting to become the first city in the U.S. to completely eliminate public housing by relocating ≈ 10,000 residents. Research has shown that the health status of public housing residents is worse than any other population. Evidence also suggests that there is an inverse relationship between neighborhood availability of healthy, affordable foods and diet intake. The aim of this study was to compare the price, availability, and quality of food items in the public housing residents’ communities, before and after relocation. Using Nutrition Environment Measures Survey (NEMS), a total of 42 food store audits were conducted in pre- and post-relocation neighborhoods. The prices in post-relocation middle chain grocery stores were significantly cheaper for total frozen dinners (p = 0.042), baked goods (p = 0.017), and potato chips (p = 0.035). There were no significant differences in produce quality. However, fruits (p <0>.001), vegetables (p < 0.001), lower fat milk (p < 0.001), whole milk (p =0.041), ground beef (p < 0 .001), reduced-fat hot dogs (p = 0.015), regular hot dogs (p < 0.001), frozen dinners (p < 0.001), low-fat baked goods (p < 0.001), whole-wheat bread (p <0 .001) and 100% juice (p < 0.001) were more available in middle chain grocery stores than convenience stores. These results suggest that public housing residents have relocated to a food environment that is similar to their previous environment. Relocation of public housing residence did not have a significant effect on their access to food.

Varför ser både din kropp och tröjan som du hittade i butiken annorlunda ut iprovrummet? Belysning i provrum är ett återkommande problem.Belysningsbranschens blomstrande framfart borde ha löst denna angelägenhet förflera år sedan. I denna studie utreds problematiken ur tre olika intressenterssynvinklar för att kunna redogöra för rekommendationer som behandlarbelysningen i provrum. Följande frågeställningar formulerades:1. Vilka kriterier definierar god belysning i provrum?2. Vilken funktion har belysningen i provrum sett ur butikspersonalens ochkundernas perspektiv?3. Anser kunden att upplevelsen av sig själv i provrummet påverkar köpbeslutet?Inledningsvis genomfördes en förstudie med observation av befintliga provrumoch intervjuer med belysningsplanerare. Efter det intervjuades butikschefer frånfem olika butiker i Jönköping. Studiens två metoder, enkätundersökning ochljusmätning, användes på butikerna. 70 enkätsvar ställdes i relation tillprovrummens fysiska förutsättningar som dokumenterats genom ljusmätningar iprovrummen.Resultatet visar att korrekt visuell färgupplevelse följt av rättvis bild av kroppenoch ansiktet är belysningens viktigaste funktioner i provrum. Överraskandeförekommer det provrum där belysningen medvetet gjorts bristfällig för attmanipulera kunden till att gå ur provrummet. Detta ger butikspersonalen ökadechanser att skapa en relation med kunden för att påverka köpbeslutet, ettförhållningssätt vi inte skulle vilja rekommendera.God provrumsbelysning karakteriseras av belysningstekniska val som välharmonierar med provrummets övriga utformning för att ge en rättvis bild avbåde färger, detaljer och kroppens form. Belysningen ska dessutom samspela medbutikens övriga belysning.I enkätundersökningen frågade vi kunderna i hur hög grad fyra olika faktorerpåverkat deras beslut att köpa eller inte köpa klädesplagget som provats. Denfaktor som mest påverkar kundens beslut till köp är kundservicen (vid köp) ochpriset (vid uteblivet köp), efter dessa kommer upplevelsen av sig själv iprovrummet (vid båda). Detta resultat stämmer väl överens med hur bådebelysningsplanerare och butikspersonal resonerar kring frågan vad som avgör omkunden köper eller inte.Vår slutsats är att belysningen i provrum ska ge en rättvis bild av kropp, färg ochkläder. Rekommendationer för provrum skulle underlätta planering, men någonoptimal lösning går inte att redogöra för då alla människor är olika ljuskänsliga ochhar skilda behov i provrummet. Upplevelsen av provrummet går att koppla tillköpbeslutet. / Why do both your body and the shirt look different in the fitting room comparedto how they did in the store area? The continuing problem with lighting in fittingrooms is a fact. The lighting industry should have resolved this matter severalyears ago through the development process. This study investigates the problemfrom the viewpoint of three different stakeholders in order to presentrecommendations for lighting in fitting room. The following concerns are raised:1. What criteria’s defines good lighting in the fitting room?2. Seen from the store staff and customers perspective, what function does lightingin the fitting room have?3. Does the customers’ perception of themselves in the fitting room affect theirdecision to buy?Initially there was a pilot study with an observation of existing fitting rooms, andinterviews with lighting designers. After these, additional interviews with storemanager from five different stores in Jönköping were undertaken. Our two studymethods, survey and measuring of light, were used in these stores. The 70 surveyresponses were compared directly with the fitting rooms physical attributes thatwere documented by light measurements in the fitting rooms.The most important features with regard to lighting in fitting rooms are anaccurate visual color experience and a fair image of the body and face.Surprisingly, there are fitting rooms where lighting is deliberately weakened inorder to manipulate the customer to exit the fitting room. This will allow the storestaff to increase the chances of creating a relationship with the customer toinfluence purchasing decisions; an approach we would not like to recommend.Good lighting in fitting rooms is characterized by technical lighting choices thatharmonize with other features in the fitting room to create an unbiased image ofcolors, details and body shape. The lighting must also interact with all otherlighting in the store.In the survey we asked customers to what extent the four different factors listedabove influenced their decision of buying the tested garment. The factor that mostaffects the customer decision of purchase is the customer service (purchase doesoccur) and the price (purchase does not occur), thereafter the experience ofthemselves in the fitting rooms (for both). This result is congruent with well withlighting designers and store staff’s reasoning about what affects the customerspurchasing decision.Our conclusion is that the lighting in fitting rooms should give a fair picture ofbody, color and clothing. Recommendations for lighting in the fitting room wouldease the planning, but an optimal solution cannot account for the reality that allpeople have different sensitivity to light and diverse needs in the fitting rooms.The experience of the fitting room and specifically the lighting within can belinked to the decision of purchases.

Date: May 30, 2011 Program: MIMA – International Marketing Course name: Master Thesis (EFO 705) Title: Consumer behavior towards private label brands: A study of  Thai undergraduate students' experience Method: Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. Quantitative method was used to collect the primary data for this research. Moreover, qualitative method was also used to support the results from questionnaires. Conclusion: The research attempts to examine the different factors that influence consumers' purchasing intentions of private label brands among Thai undergraduate students. Five important factors were identified; there are collectivist culture, perceived risk, price, quality and store loyalty. Collectivist culture and perceived risk were found out to be important background factors which affect the other three factors. Furthermore, the result shows that price and quality of private label brands are highly related as most of the target consumers tend to associate expensiveness with high quality and vice-versa. However, the effect of store loyalty on consumers' (Thai undergraduate students)purchasing intention was found out to be insignificant.

Background: E-commerce retailing is the most rapidly growing shopping mode and has quickly gained a huge market share. The increased growth rate means that the competition among online based companies is growing. Therefore the challenge faced is how to be unique on an extremely competitive market and being able to reach customers in a jungle of information and communication. By identifying barriers and weaknesses in the existing online sales mode, new complementary tools might be found which can help online based companies to stay competitive, meet customers’ demands and deliver exclusive experiences.   Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to describe the new phenomenon pop-up store and investigate if it could be a complementary tool for online based companies to help tackling limitations inherent in e-businesses.   Methodology: In this study we conducted seven interviews with people that have been working with pop-up store concepts in some way. Two of the interviewees were consultants, one was a specialist on pop-up stores and the rest were Marketing Managers of well known Swedish companies.       Conclusions: This study showed that the three most prominent limitations inherent with e-business (lack of human interaction, communication, capture of visitors’ attention) could be overcome with a pop-up store.   Proposals for future research: It would be interesting to further investigate, in connection to this study, how customers have perceived the concepts and if they think that a pop-up store could increase their knowledge about an online based company and enhance their willingness to purchase through the web

The purpose of this study is to do a comparison between luxurious fashion stores and normal/regular ones, describe the differences in terms of the store design and discuss the influences and their impact on the customer experience. The second purpose is to give suggestions to normal/regular fashion stores from Sweden regarding improvements that they might need to enhance the customer’s shopping experience. In order to complete this study, both primary and secondary data were collected. Primary data was collected by performing three different methods. First was an observation, which was done in both luxurious and normal/regular fashion stores. An interview was performed with the manager of H&amp;M Västerås. Last but not least method was to apply a questionnaire in order to find out the customer’s opinion concerning their shopping experience. The secondary data was gathered from Mälardalen’s University data bases and library and also from online resources. Conclusion:               The luxurious fashion stores have a unique way of displaying their garments, which gives an idea of neatness, comfort and order. They also have special services that add to the customer’s shopping experience, enhancing it. Even thought normal/regular fashion stores are different from luxurious, they give a big importance to the quality, the price and displaying their garments in a specific order. When it comes to the shopping experience customers’ encounter, most of them considered that it is important to have helpful staff, right temperature, appropriate music and light and clean environment. Overall it can be seen, that even thought they are completely different, the normal/regular fashion stores still try to offer the best experience to their customers.