This study investigated factors influencing the selection of apparel worn to work by women who attended fashion and wardrobe seminars in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Clothing selection factors were analyzed by computer according to age, marital status, work status and education. The majority most frequently wore suits and separates to work. Single participants preferred separates. Most wore sizes considered average. Respondents most frequently purchased apparel from department stores. Brand name and designer apparel were occasionally purchased. Though interested, few respondents had taken advantage of personal consultant services. It was recommended that retailers make wardrobe services known to the public.

The purpose of this study was to determine Chinese and U.S. consumers' attitudes and perceptions toward hybrid cars and the likelihood of purchasing one in the future.

The purpose of this study was to determine attitudes toward low carbohydrate diets among consumers and the attributes that influence their purchase decision. A growing number of diet trends are spreading across the nation in an effort to improve health and lose weight such as the Atkins diet and the South Beach diet.

Thesis (M. Tech. (Graphic Design)) -- Central University of Technology, free State, 2010 / Good package design entails employing appropriate yet attractive graphic attributes such as colour, typography and images with which the consumer can engage. Even the name of a colour plays a considerable part in the success of a new product or brand. Consumers use graphic attributes to associate different products with different income groups, to infer the weight of products and even use it as an indicator of the perceived change in temperature resulting from the use of certain products. Consumers develop colour preferences based on associations they have formed through experience which are influenced by factors such as age, gender, culture and demographics. Colour may also affect consumers’ respond to a product and may even have an effect on their emotional state. In order for consumers to involve themselves with store brands more readily, packaging has to be updated constantly to keep packaging fresh and exciting. A shopping bag, transformed with graphic attributes into a designer shopping bag, can, just as good packaging often does, contribute to the art and science of selling a product or promoting a brand. Consumers prefer designer paper shopping bags with attractive appearances and showed a willingness to even pay for the paper bags. This study determined if consumers will actually purchase a designer paper shopping bag as opposed to just indicate a willingness to do so. Semistructured interviews with 100 subjects provived insight into consumers’ perception of the designer paper shopping bag sold at a store selling higher priced items. Designer paper shopping bags were offered to consumers for sale. Two retail stores in Bloemfontein, South Africa, participated in the study. Consumers could choose whether to buy a designer paper shopping bag or to make use of the plastic bags provided by each of the stores. Consumers prefered to rather purchase a designer paper shopping bag sold at a well-known store, selling branded, higher priced items than purchase one from a store that sells lower priced items of which the brand names are unknown to them. Consumers are more likely to pay for a designer paper shopping bag when the amount spent by them in store is relatively high. It is recommended to introduce new packaging items via marketing strategies such as “buy one get one free” and to not test a new packaging item during a recession as consumers then tend to spend less than usual. Interviewees agree that the colour scheme of the designer paper shopping bag used in the study associate well with the clothes and accessories sold in the store. Subjects suggested a few general ideas, but agree that the illustrations used on the paper shopping bag are appropriate. The majority of the interviewees state that they can read all the typography easily and that they will feel confident when carrying the designer paper shopping bag.

Thesis (MComm)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Lifestyles offer a comprehensive view of behaviour and the motives that underlie many of the purchases made by consumers. Impulsive buying behaviour is a complex phenomenon, and it has not yet been actively researched within a South African context. The aim of this study was to investigate the lifestyle of an impulsive student buyer, and to compile a lifestyle profile of such a buyer. A total of 499 respondents from the particular tertiary institution participated in the study. The sample population reflected young consumers in the age group 17 to 33 years. The students were mostly undergraduates studying in a full-time capacity. This study was exploratory and descriptive in nature. An electronic web-based survey was used as the method of data gathering. The survey was programmed and posted for a period of three weeks on the student portal of the tertiary institution where the survey was conducted. The validation of participation in the electronic survey was done in accordance with the requirements of the sample selection criteria. The questionnaire was tested during a pilot study. Factor analysis and Cronbach’s coefficient alpha was used to assess the validity of the questionnaire and to determine its internal consistency. Mean scores and standard deviations were computed to divide the data into three groups. To determine the current lifestyle dimensions of the students, the Activities, Interests and Opinion statements (AIOstatements) were factor analyzed. The factor matrix was rotated by means of an oblique rotation of axes, making use of the Direct Oblimin rotation technique. This resulted in a solution of five activity and interest factors, and two opinion factors. Mean scores and standard deviations were computed for all the valid life style characteristics. The frequency of impulsive shopping was measured through frequency distribution. Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient analysis was performed between the differentiating variables, namely lifestyle and impulsive shopping behaviour to establish the relationship between these variables. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and univariate (one way) analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to determine differences between the groups. The five activity and interest factors that were identified, included clothes shopping/clothing specific lifestyle, social interaction, media usage, fashion oriented clothes shopping/fasion oriented clothing lifestyle, and cultural activities and interests. The two opinion factors identified, were positive vision for the future and importance of training/education. However, the opinion factors did not differ in terms of statistic significance between the groups, and was therefore not used in the consequent typology of the groups. Three groups of student consumers were identified based on the respondents’ perceptions of their activities and interests, and impulsive shopping behaviour. The students were categorized into the following three groups: Group 1: Non-impulsive shoppers – Non-impulsive Conservatives/ Traditionalists Group 2: Low impulsive shoppers – Moderates Group 3: High impulsive shoppers – Impulsive Trendsetters The three groups differed in terms of their activities and interests, and impulsive shopping behaviour. The following activities and interests characteristics were considered important: clothes shopping/clothing specific lifestyle, social interaction and media usage. The activities and interests factors that are responsible for differences between the groups could provide retailers with valuable means to identify market segments, and to satisfy their specific needs. Young South African consumers should not be considered as a homogeneous group of consumers. The South African market is a highly competitive environment providing a wide variety of shops and products to consumers which can be targeted at a specific segment to exert an impact on shopping and specifically impulsive shopping. Therefore the retailer and marketer ought not to underestimate this type of shopping behaviour. Implications for retailers and marketers are stated and recommendations for future research are suggested in order to encourage further investigation in a scientific manner in the field of impulsive shopping behaviour, and lifestyle. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Lewenstyl bied ‘n uitgebreide en omvattende beeld van verbruikers se gedrag en die motiewe onderliggend aan die aankope van verbruikers. Impulsiewe aankoopgedrag is ‘n komplekse fenomeen en ‘n studierigting waarin beperkte navorsing in Suid- Afrika gedoen is. Hierdie studie poog om ondersoek in te stel na die lewenstyl van ‘n impulsiewe studente-aankoper en om dan gevolglik ‘n lewenstyltipering van hierdie student te doen. ‘n Totaal van 499 respondente het aan hierdie studie deelgeneem. Die steekproef is uit jong verbruikers in die ouderdomsgroep 17 tot 33 jaar geneem. Die studente was meerendeels voorgraads voltyds ingeskrewe studente. Hierdie studie was verkennend en beskrywend van aard. Data is deur middel van ‘n elektroniese webgebaseerde-opname versamel. Die vraelys is tydens ‘n loodsstudie getoets. Die vraelys is geprogrammeer en vir ‘n tydperk van drie weke op die portaal van die studente aan die betrokke tersiêre instansie geplaas. Die vraelys het uit vier afdelings bestaan. Die kontrole van die deelnemers aan die elektroniese opname is in ooreenstemming met die steekproefseleksiekriteria opgestel. Faktorontleding en Cronbach se koëffisiënt alfa is gebruik om die geldigheid en interne konsekwentheid van die vraelys te ondersoek. Deur gebruik te maak van gemiddelde tellings en standaardafwykings is die data in drie groepe verdeel. Om die bestaande lewenstyldimensies van die studente te bepaal, is die Aktiwiteite, Belangstellings en Opinie-stellings (AIO-stellings) aan faktorontleding onderwerp. Die faktormatriks is volgens die skuinsas-rotasietegniek met behulp van die Direct Oblimin-metode geroteer. Vyf aktiwiteite-en-belangstellingsfaktore en twee opiniefaktore is uit die data verkry. Gemiddelde tellings en standaardafwykings is vir al die geldige lewenstyleienskappe bereken. Die frekwensie van impulsiewe aankoopgedrag is deur middel van frekwensieverspreiding gemeet. Pearson se produk-moment korrelasiekoëffisiënt-ontleding is op die data toegepas om die korrelasies tussen die onderskeie veranderlikes, naamlik lewenstyl en impulsiewe aankoopgedrag, te bepaal. Meervoudige ontleding van variansie (MANOVA) en enkelvoudige ontleding van variansie (ANOVA) is gebruik om verskille tussen die groepe te bepaal. Die belangrikste aktiwiteite-en-belangstellingsfaktore wat geïdentifiseer is, sluit klereaankope/klere-spesifieke lewenstyl, sosiale interaksie, mediaverbruik, modieuse klereaankope/modieuse klere-lewenstyl en kuns en kulturele aktiwiteite en belangstellings in. Die belangrikste opiniefaktore sluit positiewe toekomsvisie en belangrikheid van opleiding in. Die opiniefaktore het egter nie statisties beduidend tussen die groepe onderskei nie en is gevolglik nie in die tipering van die groepe gebruik nie. Drie groepe studenteverbruikers is geïdentifiseer, gebaseer op die respondente se persepsie van hul lewenstyl en impulsiewe aankoopgedrag. Die drie groepe is soos volg gekategoriseer: Groep 1: Nie-impulsiewe kopers – Nie-impulsiewe Konserwatiewes/ Tradisioneles Groep 2: Lae impulsiewe kopers – Gematigdes Groep 3: Hoë impulsiewe kopers – Impulsiewe Tendensaanwysers Die drie groepe het volgens hul impulsiewe aankoopgedrag en aktiwiteite en belangstellings verskil. Die volgende aktiwiteite en belangstellingseienskappe is oor die algemeen die hoogste aangeslaan: klereaankope/klere-spesifieke lewenstyl, sosiale interaksie en mediaverbruik. Die aktiwiteite en belangstellings wat beduidend tussen die groepe onderskei, kan moontlik aan kleinhandelaars waardevolle inligting bied om marksegmente te identifiseer en om aan die behoeftes van die onderskeie verbruikersgroepe te voldoen. Jong Suid-Afrikaanse verbruikers behoort nie as ‘n homogene groep verbruikers beskou te word nie. Die Suid-Afrikaanse mark is hoogs kompeterend met ‘n wye reeks winkels en produkte wat op ‘n spesifieke segment gerig kan word om sodoende ‘n impak op aankope en spesifiek impulsiewe aankope uit te oefen. Die kleinhandelaar en bemarker behoort derhalwe nie hierdie tipe aankoopgedrag gering te skat nie. Implikasies vir die kleinhandelsektor en bemarker is gestel en aanbevelings vir verdere navorsing word gemaak ten einde toekomstige navorsing op ‘n wetenskaplik gefundeerde wyse op die gebied van impulsiewe aankoopgedrag en lewenstyl aan te moedig.

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

Thesis. (M. Tech. (Dept. of Marketing, Faculty of Management Sciences)) -- Vaal University of Technology, 2011. / The underlying determinants of how and why people shop has been a topic of study for many years, when typologies of shopping styles were developed. These studies have been successful in demonstrating that some shoppers display consistent shopping orientations that can be diametrically opposed, for example, the functional shopper versus the recreational shopper. This study concentrates on purchasing patterns of consumers by examining the decision-making styles of Generation Y consumers with regard to fashion apparel. The study reports on various stages that consumers undergo when confronted with a decision situation. These stages are outlined as need recognition, information search, pre-purchase evaluation, purchase, consumption and post-consumption. The buying behaviours influencing consumers were categorised into internal and external factors. The internal factor includes perception, motivation, learning, attitudes, personalities, self-concept, lifestyle and demography. The external factors comprised the following variables, namely, cultural background, subculture, family influence, and the social factor. The general characteristics of Generation Y were briefly discussed. Various dimensions used to measure consumer decision-making styles were reviewed in the study related to perfectionism, brand consciousness, novelty-fashion consciousness, recreational consciousness, price-and-value-for-money consciousness, impulsiveness and confusion as a result of overchoice of brands. The study adopted quantitative approach. A structured questionnaire was used to survey 230 students who were selected using non-probability convenience sampling. Seven dimensions measuring consumer decision-making styles were found to be applicable within the Generation Y context. These consumers were profiled as being quality conscious, brand conscious, novelty-seeking, hedonistic, confused by overchoice, habitual, brand loyal and fashion conscious. Differences were found between consumers who are confused by overchoice and younger Generation Y consumers. Younger consumers were found to be more confused by overchoice compared to their older counterparts. It is suggested that apparel retailers should try to use communication channels which will be more understandable by Generation Y consumers, and they should provide information that assists buyers to make a rational decision in the buying process. Differences were also confirmed between habitual, brand-loyal consumers and age. It was found that younger consumers are more likely to be loyal to specific brands as compared to their older counterparts. Differences were noted between brand conscious, confused by overchoice and gender. Brand consciousness was regarded as a reflection of men‟s desire to use shopping as a demonstration of their superiority, as well as being beneficial because they reduce search costs. It was revealed that males were more brand conscious than their female counterparts. It also highlighted that males were more confused by overchoice than females. The study found that the majority of Generation Y does pursue quality, even if it means paying higher prices. It is recommended that retailers should continue to emphasise their well-known brand names and set prices at levels where consumers perceive the quality of the product by its price. Retailers should focus on diverse designs, sizes and colours in their product assortment and range. The introduction of new products through the use of fashion shows, fashion magazines and advertisements may provide added advantages in terms of brand awareness / Central Research Committee of the Vaal University of Technology

by Tsang Kwong-ming, Rex. / Bibliography: leaves 79-80 / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1985

by Ma Suk-ying. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1982. / Bibliography: leaves 111-112.

by Cheng Wai Ming, Ivy, Ma Lok Man, Frandy. / Includes questionaire in Chinese. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leave 67). / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iii / LIST OF TABLES --- p.vi / ACKNOWLEDGMENTS --- p.viii / CHAPTER / Chapter 1. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Purpose of Study --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Market Overview --- p.1 / Chapter 1.3 --- Market Growth --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Social Environment --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Economic Environment --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Regulatory Environment --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3.4 --- Technological Environment --- p.4 / Chapter 1.4 --- Market Share --- p.4 / Chapter 1.5 --- Marketing Strategies of Mobile Service Providers --- p.5 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Product Strategies --- p.5 / Chapter 1.5.1.1 --- Service Features --- p.5 / Chapter 1.5.1.2 --- Mobile Phone Brands Used --- p.6 / Chapter 1.5.1.3 --- Number of Cell Sites --- p.6 / Chapter 1.5.1.4 --- Network Coverage --- p.6 / Chapter 1.5.1.5 --- Roaming Locations --- p.7 / Chapter 1.5.1.6 --- Customer Service --- p.7 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Pricing Strategies --- p.7 / Chapter 1.5.3 --- Distribution Strategies --- p.8 / Chapter 1.5.4 --- Promotion Strategies --- p.8 / Chapter 1.5.4.1 --- Advertising --- p.8 / Chapter 1.5.4.2 --- Sales Teams --- p.9 / Chapter 2. --- DECISION PROBLEMS AND RESEARCH OBJECTIVES --- p.13 / Chapter 2.1 --- Decision Problems --- p.13 / Chapter 2.2 --- Research Objectives --- p.14 / Chapter 3. --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.16 / Chapter 3.1 --- Attitudes and Attitude Components --- p.16 / Chapter 3.2 --- Multiattribute Attitude Models --- p.17 / Chapter 4. --- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY --- p.21 / Chapter 4.1 --- Exploratory Study --- p.21 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Literature Search --- p.21 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Interviews with Executives --- p.21 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Interviews with Potential Customers --- p.22 / Chapter 4.2 --- Descriptive Study --- p.22 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Survey Population and Sample Size --- p.23 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Sampling and Data Collection Procedure --- p.24 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Questionnaire --- p.25 / Chapter 5. --- LIMITATIONS --- p.27 / Chapter 6. --- FINDINGS --- p.29 / Chapter 6.1 --- Exploratory Study --- p.29 / Chapter 6.1.1 --- Benefits of Using Mobile Telephone --- p.29 / Chapter 6.1.2 --- Evaluative Criteria Used in Selecting Mobile Telephone Service Provider --- p.30 / Chapter 6.1.3 --- Types of Information Sought and Sources of Information Used --- p.31 / Chapter 6.2 --- Descriptive Study --- p.32 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Demographic Characteristics of the Respondents --- p.32 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Benefits of Using Mobile Telephone --- p.35 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- Decision Making Process of Selecting a Mobile Service Provider --- p.36 / Chapter 6.2.3.1 --- Types of Information Sought by Respondents --- p.36 / Chapter 6.2.3.2 --- Sources of Information --- p.37 / Chapter 6.2.4 --- The Evaluative Criteria Used by Respondents and Their Relative Importance --- p.38 / Chapter 6.2.5 --- Awareness of Mobile Service Providers --- p.39 / Chapter 6.2.6 --- Belief Ratings on the Evaluative Criteria --- p.40 / Chapter 6.2.7 --- Respondents' Attitudes Towards the Mobile Service Providers --- p.41 / Chapter 6.2.8 --- Relationship Between Consumer Attitudes and Brand Preferences --- p.43 / Chapter 6.2.9 --- Market Segmentation --- p.46 / Chapter 6.2.9.1 --- Segmentation by Demographics --- p.46 / Chapter 6.2.9.2 --- Segmentation by Benefits --- p.49 / Chapter 6.2.9.3 --- Segmentation by Attitudes --- p.54 / Chapter 7. --- IMPLICATIONS FOR MARKETING STRATEGIES --- p.59 / Chapter 7.1 --- Competitive Analysis of CSL Against the Other Three Mobile Service Providers in Hong Kong --- p.59 / Chapter 7.2 --- Implications for Marketing Strategies of CSL --- p.60 / Chapter 7.2.1 --- Target Market --- p.60 / Chapter 7.2.2 --- Product Strategies --- p.61 / Chapter 7.2.3 --- Pricing Strategies --- p.63 / Chapter 7.2.4 --- Distribution Strategies --- p.64 / Chapter 7.2.5 --- Promotion Strategies --- p.64 / Chapter 8. --- CONCLUSION --- p.66 / REFERENCES --- p.67 / APPENDICES --- p.68 / Appendix A Exploratory Study: Executive Interview Guide --- p.68 / Appendix B Exploratory Study: Potential Customers Interview Guide --- p.69 / Appendix C English Version of the Questionnaire --- p.70 / Appendix D Chinese Version of the Questionnaire --- p.77 / Appendix E Findings of the Exploratory Study --- p.87 / Appendix F Agglomeration Coefficients of the Cluster Procedure on Respondents' Ratings on the Benefit Statements --- p.91 / Appendix G Agglomeration Coefficients of the Cluster Procedure on Respondents' Ratings on the Evaluative Criteria --- p.92