Little previous research has been conducted concerning consumer shopping behaviors when dealing with stores that have both physical and online outlets where products can be browsed or bought, also known as "click and brick" retailers. This exploratory study seeks to determine if distinct "click and brick" consumer typologies can be formed according to consumers' preferred method of shopping. This study also examines the relationships between consumer's needs for convenience, product tangibility, social interaction and levels of trust and their preferred method of "click and brick" shopping. While significant differences were found between shopping preferences, results indicated that consumer preference significantly differs depending on the store or product type implying that an overall "click and brick" consumer typology cannot be formed. Also, results indicate that the two shopping preferences that significantly differ the most depending on motivations are still "browse and buy in store" and "browse and buy online," indicating that consumers do not heavily utilize multichannel shopping methods for purchases. / text

The Chinese E-commerce market is the largest in the world and E-commerce takes up more of the retail market in China than in western countries. Why are Chinese consumers such big spenders online? This thesis examines the differences in consumer shopping behavior in China and Sweden in the aims to find some of the factors explaining the reasons. Based on a review of previous research on consumer behavior a theoretical framework was created which was the foundation for a survey. Survey responses were collected through two surveys, with the same questions, conducted in the native language of Sweden and China. While the generalizability of the survey have some limitations in regards to sampling, this thesis provide some key findings: Chinese consumers are more social shoppers, influenced by social media, family and friends. The social experience of shopping online enhance Chinese consumers experience and is a factor in increasing their expenditures online.  Chinese consumers shop more on international stores and shop more through their cell phones than Swedes.  Chinese consumers are also choosing online shopping out of convenience and usefulness.

This study investigated the consumers' intention towards multi-channel shopping and the function of synergy in a multi-channel retailing format (i.e., brick-and-mortar stores, catalogs, and the Internet). Two questionnaires were developed, one for the multi-channel consumers and the other for the multi-channel retailers. The structural equation modeling was used to predict the effect of shopping benefits and costs perceived from each channel on the consumer's purchase intention. Data analysis (N = 500) indicated that the purchase intentions were affected by different shopping benefit and cost variables. Qualitative analysis of retailers (N= 10) revealed that the retailers considered synergy to be an important part of their multi-channels. Also, there existed a high level of synergy among the existing three retail channels.

As the pandemic of COVID-19 is still affecting peoples’ lives in various ways, it is not surprising that it affects consumer behaviour as well. This paper focuses on the changes in consumer behaviour, more specifically on the changes in consumer shopping channel preferences due to the pandemic. Furthermore, it was of interest whether these changes are likely to be long-term, and influence consumer shopping behaviour in the corona-free future. To answer the research question: “How did the pandemic affect consumers’ preferred shopping channels, and are those changes long-term?” a qualitative study was conducted. The study consisted of ten interviews, five of which were with consumers who spent most of the pandemic in Sweden, and five with respondents who spent most of the pandemic in Slovakia. This way, the study compares the responses and thus changes in consumer shopping behaviour and channel preferences of consumers who have experienced different levels of restrictions and recommendations as a response to the pandemic. Indeed, Slovakia’s response to the corona pandemic was much more severe and included much more, longer-lasting, restrictions affecting/restricting consumer shopping.   The study showed that despite the countries adopting very different responses to the pandemic, the consumers changed their shopping behaviour in a rather similar way. Most of the respondents stated that they started shopping less due to the pandemic and that they shopped more online. The main reasons for these developments were (1) reduced need for new clothing during the corona pandemic, (2) stores being closed, and/or (3) consumers trying to reduce their contact with others and keep their distance. However, when asked whether these changes in their behaviour are going to persist into the far future, the responses differed. A portion of respondents stated they will continue to shop online more than prior to the pandemic, while still shopping in traditional, offline, stores as well. Some other respondents, however, stated that they will return to in-store shopping as soon as possible. From these findings, it is clear that shopping for clothes via offline channels will still be important and preferred by many, despite the rise of technologies and online shopping possibilities.   The study contributes to the literature on the corona pandemic and its effects on consumer behaviour, the field of consumer behaviour in general, consumer shopping channel preferences, channel switching intentions, omnichannel literature, and the online shopping literature.

The purpose of this study is to identify how Covid-19 has impacted the behaviour of baby boomers when grocery shopping. While most countries in the world went on lockdown, the Swedes decided otherwise. Covid-19 has caused unprecedented behavioural changes amongst Swedish consumers, to avoid risks affiliated with the virus. This has led to the largest increase in usage of online grocery services among all industries. Baby boomers increased their online presence during the pandemic, more so than any other generation. Therefore, identifying and elaborating on these behavioural changes could help predict whether these are temporary or here to stay.  Researchers applied the exploratory design with a qualitative approach which allowed for extensive investigation of the baby boomers' experience and presented rich details of the topic from various perspectives. Through a deductive approach, the authors reached a conclusion that is in line with a predetermined proposition based on logic in theory and applying it. Therefore, existing literature was first reviewed to provide the authors with a theoretical framework.  Next, primary data was collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with participants that were gathered with the snowball sampling technique. The data was organised according to three global themes: Objects, Doings and Meanings. It was later compiled in a codebook, providing a general overview for comparison and analysis.  The study showed that during the pandemic the frequency and shopping schedule changed. Participants modified this behaviour to avoid crowding. In-store grocery shopping was preferred due to the generation’s desire to test the quality of products before purchase. After the pandemic, the majority of participants were eager to utilise digital tools in-store to a greater extent, as a means of convenience and efficiency. In addition, online grocery shopping is viewed to be complicated and it inhibits their ability to test the quality of products.

While retail business development in Taiwan has reached mature stage for many retail formats, it is still in the rapid growth stage in China. Consumer shopping behavior in Taiwan and China might be different given different economic and retail development progress. The findings of this research support two hypotheses. First the retail format development is different in Taiwan and China. Second the consumer shopping behavior is different in Taiwan and China. All retail formats were developed ahead in Taiwan by around 15-20 years. It took around 35 years in Taiwan to develop up to current status. However, it took a much shorter time for China to catch up. The development was much more concentrated and intensive. The development order is also different. In Taiwan, the order is department store, supermarket, convenience store then hypermarket. In China, however, hypermarket development advances convenience store. Convenience store is still in an early development stage. Shopping behavior in different channel is also different. Taiwan shoppers visit convenience store most often while China shoppers patronize supermarket and hypermarket most frequent. In Taiwan, except household products, most packaged food or beverage are purchased most often from convenience store. In China, most are from supermarket and hypermarket. Moreover, Taiwan consumers are more particular, demanding and sophisticated. If any manufactures would like to enter China market, modern trade is suggested to the most important channel. It is easier for quick distribution, lower risk and more similar practice to Taiwan retail environment. If any retailers would like to enter China market, it is wiser to have international alliances. The retail business now in China plays with big economic scale. Without advanced knowledge, technology as well as rich working capital, it is very challenging to compete in China market. For research in the future, it is recommended to include village information. Under China government policy, village should be upgraded with strong government support. It will provide a more comprehensive pictures if village is included.