The Effect of Brand Extension of Private Label on Consumer Attitude - a focus on the moderating effect of the perceived fit difference between parent brands and an extended brand -

PL의 브랜드확장이 소비자태도에 미치는 영향에 관한 연구 : 모브랜드 적합도 인식 차이의 조절효과를 중심으로

Introduction: Sales of private labels(PU have been growing m recent years. Globally, PLs have already achieved 20% share, although between 25 and 50% share in most of the European markets(AC. Nielson, 2005). These products are aimed to have comparable quality and prices as national brand(NB) products and have been continuously eroding manufacturer's national brand market share. Stores have also started introducing premium PLs that are of higher-quality and more reasonably priced compared to NBs. Worldwide, many retailers already have a multiple-tier private label architecture. Consumers as a consequence are now able to have a more diverse brand choice in store than ever before. Since premium PLs are priced higher than regular PLs and even, in some cases, above NBs, stores can expect to generate higher profits. Brand extensions and private label have been extensively studied in the marketing field. However, less attention has been paid to the private label extension. Therefore, this research focuses on private label extension using the Multi-Attribute Attitude Model(Fishbein and Ajzen, 1975). Especially there are few studies that consider the hierarchical effect of the PL's two parent brands: store brand and the original PL. We assume that the attitude toward each of the two parent brands affects the attitude towards the extended PL. The influence from each parent brand toward extended PL will vary according to the perceived fit between each parent brand and the extended PL. This research focuses on how these two parent brands act as reference points to one another in the consumers' choice consideration. Specifically we seek to understand how store image and attitude towards original PL affect consumer perceptions of extended premium PL. How consumers perceive extended premium PLs could provide strategic suggestions for retailer managers with specific suggestions on whether it is more effective: to position extended premium PL similarly or dissimilarly to original PL especially on the quality dimension and congruency with store image. There is an extensive body of research on branding and brand extensions (e.g. Aaker and Keller, 1990) and more recently on PLs(e.g. Kumar and Steenkamp, 2007). However there are no studies to date that look at the upgrading and influence of original PLs and attitude towards store on the premium PL extension. This research wishes to make a contribution to this gap using the perceived fit difference between parent brands and extended premium PL as the context. In order to meet the above objectives, we investigate which factors heighten consumers' positive attitude toward premium PL extension. Research Model and Hypotheses: When considering the attitude towards the premium PL extension, we expect four factors to have an influence: attitude towards store; attitude towards original PL; perceived congruity between the store image and the premium PL; perceived similarity between the original PL and the premium PL. We expect that all these factors have an influence on consumer attitude towards premium PL extension. Figure 1 gives the research model and hypotheses. Method: Data were collected by an intercept survey conducted on consumers at discount stores. 403 survey responses were attained (total 59.8% female, across all age ranges). Respondents were asked to respond to a series of Questions measured on 7 point likert-type scales. The survey consisted of Questions that measured: the trust towards store and the original PL; the satisfaction towards store and the original PL; the attitudes towards store, the original PL, and the extended premium PL; the perceived similarity of the original PL and the extended premium PL; the perceived congruity between the store image and the extended premium PL. Product images with specific explanations of the features of premium PL, regular PL and NB we reused as the stimuli for the Question response. We developed scales to measure the research constructs. Cronbach's alphaw as measured each construct with the reliability for all constructs exceeding the .70 standard(Nunnally, 1978). Results: To test the hypotheses, path analysis was conducted using LISREL 8.30. The path analysis for verification of the model produced satisfactory results. The validity index shows acceptable results(${\chi}^2=427.00$(P=0.00), GFI= .90, AGFI= .87, NFI= .91, RMSEA= .062, RMR= .047). With the increasing retailer use of premium PLBs, the intention of this research was to examine how consumers use original PL and store image as reference points as to the attitude towards premium PL extension. Results(see table 1 & 2) show that the attitude of each parent brand (attitudes toward store and original pL) influences the attitude towards extended PL and their perceived fit moderates these influences. Attitude toward the extended PL was influenced by the relative level of perceived fit. Discussion of results and future direction: These results suggest that the future strategy for the PL extension needs to consider that positive parent brand attitude is more strongly associated with the attitude toward PL extensions. Specifically, to improve attitude towards PL extension, building and maintaining positive attitude towards original PL is necessary. Positioning premium PL congruently to store image is also important for positive attitude. In order to improve this research, the following alternatives should also be considered. To improve the research model's predictive power, more diverse products should be included in study. Other attributes of product should also be included such as design, brand name since we only considered trust and satisfaction as factors to build consumer attitudes.

브랜드확장은 다양한 마케팅 영역 중에서도 전통적으로 활발하게 연구가 진행되어 왔던 영역으로서, 본 연구는 최근 그 중요성이나 활용도가 급증하고 있는 PL(Private Label)제품에 대해 브랜드확장의 개념을 활용하여 차별적으로 접근하고자 하였다. 최근 PL제품에 관한 마케팅연구가 활발하게 진행되고 있으나, 대부분 기존 틀에서 크게 벗어나지 못한 채 단순한 적용에 그치고 있으며, 특히 브랜드확장에 관련된 연구들에서도 PL시장의 특성을 제대로 반영하고 있다고 볼 수 없다. 특히 PL제품의 확장에 있어서는 두 가지 모브랜드가 존재할 수 있는데, 이에 대한 연구는 부재한 상황이다. 이에 본 연구에서는 확장 PL제품의 태도에 영향을 미치는 변수로서 두 가지 모브랜드인 유통업체와 기존 PL제품에 대한 태도를 제시하였다. 또한 개별 모브랜드가 PL제품의 태도에 미치는 영향은 개별 모브랜드와 확장 PL제품간 유사성에 의해 상이할 것이라고 제안하였으며, 유통업체와 기존 PL제품에 대한 태도에 영향을 미치는 변수로서 신뢰와 만족을 제시하였다. 분석결과 유통업체와 기존 PL제품에 대한 태도 모두 확장 PL제품의 태도에 유의한 영향을 미쳤으며 동시에 적합도 정도에 따라 그 영향력이 상이함도 실제 데이터를 통해 검증하였다. 즉 확장 PL제품의 태도는 모브랜드의 적합도가 보다 강하게 형성된 모브랜드의 영향을 더 크게 받는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 이를 토대로 향후 PL제품을 확장할 경우 소비자가 보다 긍정적인 태도를 갖고 있는 모브랜드에 기초하여 해당 모브랜드와의 연상이 강하게 나타날 수 마케팅 전략을 구사할 필요가 있을 것이다.