A comparison of four strategies to promote fair trade products
International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management
ISSN: 0959-0552
Article publication date: 27 March 2009
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is, first, to assess the influence of four promotional strategies on students' purchase intention for fair trade coffee; and second to examine the effect of attractiveness and credibility of two university sports celebrities on purchase intention for fair‐trade coffee in a campus convenience store.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey of 100 college students at a mid‐western asked them to rate two campus sports celebrities on attractiveness, expertise, and trustworthiness and the relationship of these qualities to purchase intention for fair trade coffee. Influence of four promotional strategies on purchase intention was assessed.
Findings
There was a positive and significant relationship between attractiveness and trustworthiness of the sports celebrities and customers' purchase intention for fair‐trade coffee. However, a “buy one get one free cup coupon” stimulated higher purchase intention than sports celebrities, flyers, and packaging.
Research limitations/implications
Results are based on a student sample. Advertising stimuli were written scenarios with no illustrations.
Practical implications
Less expensive promotional strategies (e.g. coupons) rather than celebrity endorsements may be equally effective in eliciting purchase intention for fair trade products.
Originality/value
The paper is innovative in its examination of the effectiveness of promotional strategies (including sports celebrity influence) to promote fair trade products in a small business context.
Keywords
Citation
Chen, S. and Huddleston, P. (2009), "A comparison of four strategies to promote fair trade products", International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, Vol. 37 No. 4, pp. 336-345. https://doi.org/10.1108/09590550910948565
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited