Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The usage of product packaging and generation specific marketing in order to influence and persuade consumers to buy specific products are being used more often resulting packaging in being more consumer-orientated and playing an increasingly important role in enterprises' marketing communication strategies than before. In this study the dimensions of packaging are identified and the importance that the various dimensions of cosmetic packaging hold for Generation X and Yare investigated. Form, colour, graphics, brand name, words, material and size have been identified as dimensions of packaging. The Engel-Blackwell-Miniard Model for Decision-making Behaviour and the Generation Model were used as theoretical starting points for a discussion about packaging and the characteristics of Generation X and Y consumers. For the purposes of this explorative study, information has been gathered by use of a mall intercept survey. Trained fieldworkers questioned approximately five hundred respondents. The statistical processing of the data included frequency-analyses, cross tabulation as well as significance statistics. It was found that Generation X and Y consumers see the packaging, with all its different dimensions, as a single entity and that the importance of the graphic, material, brand name (as indication of quality and price), size and word dimensions of packaging are reasonably similar for men and women. Men and women, however, attach different perceptions concerning colour/s, form and brand names. There also exist statistically significant differences between the different genders, concerning the usage of most of the range of cosmetic products. Women make up the majority of users. Although the results indicate that the Generation Model can be applied to all races originating from the middle and high income and literacy groups, the usage of cosmetics products tend to differ between the races. Recommendations for further research are made. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Bemarkers gebruik toenemend die verpakking van produkte en generasiespesifieke bemarking om verbruikers te beïnvloed en te oorreed en om hul produkte te koop. Verpakkings is gevolglik meer verbruikersgeoriënteerd en speel 'n belangriker rol in die bemarkingskommunikasie-strategie van 'n onderneming as in die verlede. In hierdie studie word die dimensies van verpakking geïdentifiseer en die belangrikheid van die onderskeie dimensies van kosmetiese verpakking vir Generasie X en Y ondersoek. Vorm, kleur, grafika, handelsnaam, woorde, materiaal en grootte is geïdentifiseer as dimensies van verpakking. Die Engel-Blackwell-Miniard model van verbruikers besluitnemingsprosesgedrag en die Generasie-model is gebruik as teoretiese vertrekpunte vir 'n bespreking oor verpakking en die eienskappe van Generasie X en Y verbruikers. Vir die doeleindes van die eksploratiewe studie is inligting ingesamel deur middel van 'n inkoopsentrumopname ("mall intercept"). Ongeveer vyfhonderd respondente is deur opgeleide veldwerkers ondervra. Die statistiese verwerking van die data sluit frekwensie-ontleding en kruistabulering in, asook beduidenheid statistiek. Daar is gevind dat Generasie X en Y verbruikers die verpakking met sy onderskeie dimensies as 'n enkele identiteit beskou en dat die belangrikheid van die grafika-, materiaal-, handelsnaam- (as indikator van kwaliteit en prys), grootte- en woorddimensie van verpakking redelik ooreenstem vir beide mans en dames. Mans en dames heg egter verskillende betekenisse aan die kleur/e en vorm van 'n verpakking en het verskillende persepsies oor handelsname. Daar bestaan ook statisties beduidende verskille tussen geslagte in die verbruik van die meeste kosmetiese produkte. Dames is die grootste verbruikers van die meeste kosmetiese produkte. Alhoewel die resultate daarop dui dat die Generasie-model op alle bevolkingsgroepe wat afkomstig is uit middel en hoër inkomste- en geletterdheidsgroepe van toepassing is, verskil die verbruik van kosmetiek tussen die verskillende bevolkingsgroepe. Aanbevelings in verdere navorsing word gemaak.

Natural corks have long been used as wine closures. However, they are associated with causing multiple adverse effects to the wine they are attempting to preserve. Alternative closures such as synthetic corks and screw caps were developed in order to reduce and/or eliminate these problems. However, the major cause of concern regarding these closures is of consumers' acceptance. The effect of how three types of closures (Natural Cork, Synthetic Cork and Screw Cap) affected wine consumers' perceptions of the quality of wine was examined in this study. This project was divided into two experiments. The first experiment determined if frequent wine consumers could detect sensorial differences between the three closure types. The second experiment ascertained if and how regular wine consumers' perceptions were altered based on the type of closure with which the wine samples were bottled. It was determined that the wine consumers could not significantly detect a difference between any of the three closure type samples based only on sensory stimuli. The results from the second experiment found for the Chardonnay samples, the knowledge that the wine samples came from a natural cork or a synthetic cork did not significantly affect the liking, quality or purchase intent scores. However, when the panelists knew that the sample was bottled with a screw cap, they thought it was of lower quality, were less willing to buy a wine like the sample and they lowered the price they were willing to pay. For the Merlot samples, knowledge that the sample came from a natural cork caused the wine consumers to significantly increase both their opinions of the quality of the wine and the amount they were willing to pay for the wine. When they knew that the sample was bottled with a screw cap, they reduced the price they would pay for the wine. / Graduation date: 2005