Consumers perceptions of retail stores, the assortment of products and the locations in which they are situated, all influence consumers decisions about where, when and how to shop. In the highly competitive arena of retailing, this knowledge greatly affects retailer performance and marketing strategy. Despite this strategic importance, the literature lacks empirical research into the assortment of categories offered in retail stores and their influence on store image. Moreover, image conceptualisation for different retail contexts is fragmented and the consumer image perceptions of categories are unexplored. Recent attention has shifted to customer experience research, yet this literature refers to the consumers interaction with one retailer, when consumer shopping journeys may include many retail interactions. The research presented in this thesis addresses the above gaps, contributing to theory and knowledge in the area of retail marketing. The thesis comprises eight papers published over a 17-year period. It examines the perceptions and roles of retail assortments; category perceptions and management in retail stores; customer perceptions of image and experiences of town centres. The thesis draws from a range of empirical studies documented within the eight papers. These include: a comparative study of ten major retailers assortment strategies; a survey of 504 consumers perceptions of supermarket assortments; a qualitative study involving six national focus groups of apparel consumers; and a survey of 536 consumers across five regional city centres. The studies are informed by two literature reviews documenting retail assortment research and town centre research. Collectively, the thesis delivers a significant research contribution to knowledge and theory. The first four thesis papers clarify the strategic relationships between retail assortment and image. The following two papers identify new perspectives of image congruence and relationships between category and store image. The final two papers consolidate all previous contexts in a multi-faceted retail image construct, emphasising the previously neglected psychological image elements. Fundamentally, consumers experiences in town centre retail environments contribute to the ongoing process of holistic image creation. The findings demonstrate that as retail environments change, consumers perceptions are also evolving from a functional, static image perspective to a dynamic, experience driven concept. The research commentary concludes by outlining future research agenda.

Esta dissertação tem como objetivo analisar a contribuição do design de superfície no design de embalagem, através do estudo da aplicação de texturas visuais em embalagens de cosméticos femininos como fator de diferenciação em relação a produtos de uma mesma categoria. A dissertação delimitou-se no estudo da aplicação de texturas visuais utilizadas em embalagens de cosméticos femininos, sob o enfoque simbólico e estético. Realiza o estudo de caso de uma empresa de cosméticos localizada em Porto Alegre, que possui a maior linha de marca própria do Brasil, em número de itens, no ramo farmacêutico. O tema da dissertação busca compreender a relação entre design de embalagem e o design de superfície como fator de diferenciação e sucesso comercial de um produto cosmético feminino. Esse estudo foi realizado através de pesquisa qualitativa que se aprofunda e embasa sobre o assunto explorado. Utilizaram-se como técnicas de coleta de dados a pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, entrevistas em profundidade e grupos focais. Através desta dissertação, ampliou-se a área do conhecimento que circunscreve o design de embalagem e o design de superfície demonstrando que as suas relações e contribuições são relevantes e que refletem no olhar do público. / This dissertation aims to analyze the contribution of surface design in packaging design by studying the application of visual texture in female cosmetics packaging and differentiation factor for products in the same category.The thesis was delimited to study the application of visual textures used in female cosmetic packaging, under the symbolic and esthetic approach. Proposes the case study of a cosmetics company based in Porto Alegre, which has the largest range of own brand in Brazil in number of items in the pharmaceutical industry. The theme of the dissertation seeks to understand the relationship between packaging design and surface design as a factor of differentiation and commercial success of a cosmetic product for women. This study was conducted through qualitative research that underlies and deepens on the subject explored. Were used as data collection techniques to bibliographic and documentary research, interviews and focus groups.Through this dissertation, has widened the area of knowledge that limits the design of packaging and surface design demonstrating that their relationships and contributions are relevant and which are reflected in the public eye.

Esta dissertação tem como objetivo analisar a contribuição do design de superfície no design de embalagem, através do estudo da aplicação de texturas visuais em embalagens de cosméticos femininos como fator de diferenciação em relação a produtos de uma mesma categoria. A dissertação delimitou-se no estudo da aplicação de texturas visuais utilizadas em embalagens de cosméticos femininos, sob o enfoque simbólico e estético. Realiza o estudo de caso de uma empresa de cosméticos localizada em Porto Alegre, que possui a maior linha de marca própria do Brasil, em número de itens, no ramo farmacêutico. O tema da dissertação busca compreender a relação entre design de embalagem e o design de superfície como fator de diferenciação e sucesso comercial de um produto cosmético feminino. Esse estudo foi realizado através de pesquisa qualitativa que se aprofunda e embasa sobre o assunto explorado. Utilizaram-se como técnicas de coleta de dados a pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, entrevistas em profundidade e grupos focais. Através desta dissertação, ampliou-se a área do conhecimento que circunscreve o design de embalagem e o design de superfície demonstrando que as suas relações e contribuições são relevantes e que refletem no olhar do público. / This dissertation aims to analyze the contribution of surface design in packaging design by studying the application of visual texture in female cosmetics packaging and differentiation factor for products in the same category.The thesis was delimited to study the application of visual textures used in female cosmetic packaging, under the symbolic and esthetic approach. Proposes the case study of a cosmetics company based in Porto Alegre, which has the largest range of own brand in Brazil in number of items in the pharmaceutical industry. The theme of the dissertation seeks to understand the relationship between packaging design and surface design as a factor of differentiation and commercial success of a cosmetic product for women. This study was conducted through qualitative research that underlies and deepens on the subject explored. Were used as data collection techniques to bibliographic and documentary research, interviews and focus groups.Through this dissertation, has widened the area of knowledge that limits the design of packaging and surface design demonstrating that their relationships and contributions are relevant and which are reflected in the public eye.

The goals of this dissertation were to determine the salient cognitive dimensions of retail image in the perceptions of consumers and the image attributes related to those dimensions. This study took advantage of multidimensional scaling techniques (MDS) to create dimensioned perceptual maps based on nonpredetermined attributes. Similarities data about five Dallas shopping centers, gathered by questionnaires from a sample (n=181) of women shoppers interviewed at the centers, were analyzed to discover the perceived dimensions of image. Similarities data were also collected on fifteen attributes previously found to be significant. MDS configurations of the attributes were compared with the retail image configuration by means of a matrix fitting technique. These comparisons categorized the attributes according to the dimensions with which they were congruent. Evaluation of these groups provided a means for identifying and naming the primary perceptual dimensions. Saliency of the perceived dimensions was tested by congruency matching respondent preferences to perceptions.

This thesis addresses the lack of available research regarding consumer perceptions of sustainability in the cruise industry. The study was conducted by administering an anonymous online survey with cruise message board participants and social media users. The survey was available to all consumers, including consumers who have not cruised. The survey focused on general reasons a consumer books a cruise, consumer travel behaviors, sustainability of the cruise industry, and sustainable factors that may impact a consumers’ choice of a cruise line. The goal of this research was to determine any patterns and trends that may emerge regarding consumer perceptions. The findings of the study showed cruise history and demographics have influenced consumer views on sustainability in the cruise industry.

This diploma thesis describes Cause Related Marketing as a modern communication tool which enables to link commercial business interests to the needs of the nonprofit sector. The theoretical part presents the term Cause Related Marketing and specifies its definition, mechanisms and effects it brings to individual subjects. It also describes typical consumer attitudes to the concept and factors that influence their relationship to CRM. The effect of these factors is presented on examples of foreign campaigns. The practical part describes research of consumer attitudes carried out among Czech Millennials. After presenting the findings of past research studies concerning this topic it continues with the results of the conducted research which are analyzed according to the sex and age of respondents. At the end contrasts between the perceptions of American and Czech consumers are studied.

Numerous studies have shown that consumers react imperfectly to changes in health insurance coverage. To justify consumer valuation in health insurance decision-making, I use Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data and conduct three studies to examine consumer’s private information in health insurance decision-making under a conceptual framework of consumer perception, which potentially is informative about Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace consumer behavior. In the first study, I examine the joint role of individual preferences and health risk in two types of insurance decision-making: the probability of being insured and the probability of employment-based insurance if insured. Using logistic regression, I find that the healthier and wealthier consumers tend to have more positive attitudes towards health insurance and thus are more likely to be insured. The effects of health risk measures vary largely in insurance decisions conditional on different preference measures and preference levels. In the second study, I investigate insurance coverage bundle choices with multi-dimensional private information in an artificially created market setting. I adapt the approach developed by Lokshin and Ravallion (2005) and conduct logistic regression modeling to estimate the reduced forms for coverage bundle choice and consumer attitude respectively. Predicted linear indices for consumer attitude and coverage bundle choices are calculated separately, then their correlation coefficients are compared. In this study I find that consumer attitude plays a dominating role in health insurance decision-making, suggesting that risk preferences may internalize health risks and influence insurance purchasing decisions. To further explore consumer perceptions within an individual’s personal system of decision rules, in the third study, I construct coverage bundle choices in an order from the least complete to the most complete, and examine the effect of consumer perceived plan quality to coverage bundle choice decisions. I use the generalized ordered logit method and a Bayesian learning process for the analysis. I find that coverage bundle choice decisions are value-based, for which perceived plan quality plays a significant and persistent role. The study results also have important policy implications to enhancing consumer engagement and optimizing health insurance management to provide high quality care to health insurance beneficiaries.

Doctor Educationis / This Study Investigates Halal certification from a consumer's perspective. Traditionally, Halal certified food products are associated with the Islamic faith, but they're becoming among non-Muslim consumers. This study focuses on consumers' perceptions and attitudes towards the consumptions of Halal certified food products in Cape Town.

Reclaimed wood is material salvaged from old, abandoned buildings that offers sustainable living to communities. There have been previous studies on reclaimed wood, but a limited amount linking reclaimed wood to consumerism. In August 2021, an online survey was conducted to gauge consumers’ knowledge of the industry and attitudes on reclaimed wood practices. Consumers are U.S. citizens 18 years of age or older. Study results indicate that respondents have little knowledge regarding reclaimed wood. Of the 1,516 respondents, 44% seem knowledgeable of reclaimed wood. Most respondents are not aware that reclaimed wood is a separate industry. Respondents believe there should be better marketing practices. Respondents also believe reclaimed wood to be environmentally friendly, durable, and aesthetically pleasing. The reasons respondents would purchase reclaimed wood are sustainability, aesthetics, and to exercise a need. Respondents acknowledge the importance of the origin of wood products. Respondents also acknowledge the importance of the industry.

Screw cap wine closures provide many benefits in maintenance of wine quality over time, however acceptance of their use by purchasers has varied. This work first investigates how factors like age, gender, income and education affect the decision to purchase screw cap wines and to what extent these factors impact consumer decisions to bring screw cap wine to various social settings. The results of a questionnaire pooling attitudes and behaviors of wine purchasers (n=319) indicate that factors such as age, wine knowledge, income and gender influence a consumer’s decision to purchase screw cap wine. Education and income positively impact the acceptance of screw cap wines and the likelihood of purchasing them. Age has a negative effect on acceptance of screw cap wines in social situations. Gender was found to not be significant in regards to likelihood of screw cap wine purchase generally, however men tended to view screw cap wines as more acceptable in more social situations than women.