Customers' comparative loyalty to retail and manufacturer brands
Abstract
Purpose
Owing to the increasing market presence and financial success of retail brands, this study seeks to examine the comparative influence of manufacturer brands and retail brands on customers' purchase behaviors.
Design/methodology/approach
The survey was administered to 1,120 samples (of which 200 were returned), with data analyzed using structural equation modeling to test the study's hypotheses.
Findings
The study revealed that customers' loyalty to retail brand(s) has greater influence on their purchase behavior than manufacturer brand(s). It also revealed that attitude toward store brands directly influences one's propensity to switch to retail brands, and mediates relationships between loyalty to manufacturer/retail brands and one's propensity to switch to retail brand(s).
Research limitations/implications
Only one type of retailer was employed in the study. The samples are individuals that have either purchased an item(s) from the retailer, or have at least visited one of their retail sites. The samples had relatively high disposable incomes.
Practicable implications
The study found that retailers may need dissimilar marketing strategies for customers loyal to manufacturer brands and customers loyal to retail brands.
Originality/value
The study provides new and empirical insight into the ongoing debate of the comparative importance of manufacturer and retail brands.
Keywords
Citation
Allen Broyles, S., Ross, R.H., Davis, D. and Leingpibul, T. (2011), "Customers' comparative loyalty to retail and manufacturer brands", Journal of Product & Brand Management, Vol. 20 No. 3, pp. 205-215. https://doi.org/10.1108/10610421111134932
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited