Shopping Orientations, Retail Attributes and Retail Format Choice Among Generation Y Apparel Shoppers

<p>Generation Y shoppers represent a significant percentage of the population, are recognized as an important and distinctive market segment, and demonstrate differences in shopping styles as compared to previous generational cohorts (Pentecost and Andrews, 2010; Bakewell and Mitchell, 2003, TRU, 1999), yet there is a lack of extant patronage research specific to the cohort. While initial steps to understand Generation Y shoppers have been taken (e.g., Seock and Bailey, 2008; Carpenter, Moore, Turner and Joshi, 2005), few extant studies move forward to empirically link shopping orientations to specific patronage behaviors among Generation Y shoppers. This study explores shopping orientations, desired retail attributes and retail format choice among a sample of Generation Y apparel shoppers in the U.S. (N = 215). The research links shopping orientations (e.g., price consciousness, brand/fashion consciousness, brand loyalty) and important retail attributes (e.g., sales staff, atmosphere, service, pricing, product selection, location) to retail format choice within eleven distinct retail formats (upscale department stores, traditional department stores, value department stores, specialty stores, specialty fast fashion stores, discounters, off-price stores, factory outlets, Internet only retailers, mail order catalogs, and television shopping). The findings provide guidance to both academics and retailers with regard to approaching and attracting Generation Y shoppers.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Campus Access Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Retailing

Year

2010

Author dc:creator

• Zhang, Bopeng

Contributors dc:contributor

• Jason M. Carpenter

• Business
• Sales and Merchandising
• Apparel
• Generation Y
• Retail attributes
• Retail format choice
• Shopping orientations
• U.S. retail industry

Statement dc:rights

• © 2010, Bopeng Zhang

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/428

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarcommons.sc.edu:etd-1429