Inadequate is the empirical research on store choice model in view of retail store attributes with endogenous construct of store patronage intention of consumer. Conventional wisdom and social science research-based insights for underpinning the design of store environment established elements such as music, scent, crowding and physical attractiveness of the store. Earlier empirical findings lack on key anterior, which include consumers’ time and effort as well as the psychological costs such as convenient, economical, risk mitigated shopping experience. The premise on which overall effects in our model rests, is that store attributes influence consumers' cognitive process and develop perceptual framework of store choice criteria — namely, convenience, reputation of outlet, branded merchandise (mediated through perceived quality). This research presents a formal test of the linear regression equation model in the context of store choice behaviour, involving one product category. The present paper explores these attributes and their affect on consumer from different socio-economic classes, willingness to purchase and to patronize if these factors are modified. Questioning the earlier conclusions that all attributes aforementioned are equally important in consumer decision making, the current results indicate that consumers place differential significance on each attribute, and the level of significance placed on each attribute varies with different socio economic class. These findings are significantly important to the retail industry as they identify the critical attributes responsible for building consumer choice and patronage among different socio economy classes. This model also paves way for another premise of empirical research, that shoppers might develop category-wise store choice or patronage behaviour model.
Examining the Influence of Store Environment in Hedonic and Utilitarian Shopping
