• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.97-109
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• 2011

As a marketing vehicle to survive in intensified retailing competition, retailer brand development has been adopted by retailers in Korea. As evidence, the retailer brand share of a major retailer, Tesco Korea, has grown from 20% in 2007 to 22.8% in the first half of 2008. It means that retailers have provided more and more retailer brand foods for customers. With the growing accessibility to retailer brand foods, it would be expected that the number of retailer brand food claims will increase. Customers have increasingly exposed to a variety of marketing activities conducted by retailers. When buying the retailer brand foods, customers tend to be affected by marketing activities of retailers. Despite the fact that customers trust retailers and then, buy their brand foods, in case of food accidents caused by production process, customers have to seek compensation from a retailer brand supplier. Of course, a retailer tends to shift its responsibility to its suppliers. Accordingly, it is not easy for customers to solve food claims. The research, therefore, aims at exploring the relationship between the buying-decision processes of retailer brand customers and which side takes legal responsibility for food claims. To effectively achieve the research aim, the author adopted a quantitative and a qualitative research technique, in order to supplement the disadvantages of each method. Before field research, based on the developed research model, the author pre-tested questionnaire with 10 samples, amended, and handed out to 400 samples. Amongst them, 316 questionnaires are available. For a focus group interview, 9 participants were recruited, who are students, housewives, and full-time workers, aged from 20s to 40s. Through the focus group interview as well as the questionnaire results, it was found that most customers were influenced by a retailer or store image in a customer's mind, retailer reputation and promotional activities. Surprisingly, customers think that the name of a retailer is a more important factor than who produces retailer brand foods, even though many customers check a retailer brand supplier, when making a buying-decision. Rather than retailer brand suppliers, customers trust retailers. That is why they purchase retailer brands. Nevertheless, production-related food claims is not involved with retailers. In fact, it would be difficult for customers to distinguish whether a food claim is related to selling or manufacturing processes. Based on research results, from a customer perspective, the research suggests that the government should require retailers to take the whole responsibility for retailer brand food claims, preventing retailers from passing the buck to retailer brand suppliers. In case of food claims, in order for customers to easily get the compensation, it is necessary to reconsider the current system. If so, retailers have to fully get involved in retailer brand production stage, and further, the customer awareness of retailer brands will be improved than ever before. Retailers cannot help taking care of the whole processes of retailer brand development, because of responsibility. As a result, the process to seek compensation for food claims might become easier, and further, the protection of customer right might be improved.

• Asia Marketing Journal
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.133-148
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• 2014

People enthusiastic about human brands eagerly engage in fan communities to share their common interests with others. Although sharing one's enthusiasm towards the same celebrities can give thempositive senses of we-ness (in-group identity, togetherness, camaraderie) and belongingness, negative sides also exist such as schadenfreude and trash talk. Even though the studies addressing the negative sides of fan community are gaining significance, no prior studies formally examined the negative consequences of engaging in a fan community and their effect on one's well-being. Therefore, this current study aims to investigate how engaging in fan community negatively affects members' psychological well-being through schadenfreude and trash talk. Structural equation modeling analysis revealed that engaging highly in a fan community leads members to feel malicious pleasure at rivals' misfortunes and share negative opinions of rival human brands and fan communities. These negative consequences of fan community engagement ultimately lead to a lower level of psychological wellbeing, especially in the area of personal growth whereas fan community engagement has a direct positive effect on personal growth. By showing the negative influences of engaging in fan communities on members' well-being through schadenfreude and trash talk, the results of this study are expected to add depth to the existing literature.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.587-600
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• 2011

This study presents the strategic directions for Korean multi-brand fashion stores by running in-depth industry research and market analysis. Over 20 professionals were selected from Korean multi-brand fashion stores for this study and in-depth interviews were conducted to evaluate related subjects. The results of the study were as follows. First, Korean multi-brand fashion stores could be classified into three criteria: operating ownership, merchandise mix, and store identity. Second, operating ownership criterion was chosen for further investigations of strategies and directions of the multi-brand fashion stores. The operating ownership criterion consists of three types; department store types, specialty store types, and boutique types. Each type deploys different buying practice, organizational strategies, and distribution channels. Lastly, the suggested strategic directions for each type are summarized as follows. The 'department store type' should utilize its strong direct buying capabilities and acquisition of merchandising can be more effectively managed. The store should utilize its strong buying power as a tool to develop new private brands (PBs). For 'specialty store type', two key factors have been derived: market share expansion and positioning themselves to become a new distribution channel. To respond to these factors, the store needs to be perceived as a brand then diversify its business. Strengthening its brand will allow it to expand into a new distribution channel and also enable a strategic partnership with its competitor brands. The factors influencing 'boutique type' is personalization and uniqueness. With an emphasis on the uniqueness of products and merchandising it will be able to implement the role as a personal shopper and stylist to provide a very personalized service to its customers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.165-181
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• 2022

The fashion industry is creating innovative business models using artificial intelligence. To efficiently utilize artificial intelligence (AI), fashion data must be classified. Until now, such data have been classified focusing only on the objective properties of fashion products. Their subjective attributes, such as fashion brand sensibilities, are holistic and heuristic intuitions created by a combination of design elements. This study aims to improve the performance of collaborative filtering in the fashion industry by extracting fashion brand sensibility using computer vision technology. The image data set of fashion brand sensibility consists of high-end fashion brand photos that share sensibilities and communicate well in fashion. About 26,000 fashion photos of 11 high-end fashion brand sensibility labels have been collected from the 16FW to 21SS runway and 50 years of US Vogue magazines beginning from 1971. We use EfficientNet-B1 to establish the main architecture and fine-tune the network with ImageNet-ILSVRC. After training fashion brand sensibilities through deep learning, the proposed model achieved an F-1 score of 74% on accuracy tests. Furthermore, as a result of comparing AI machine and human experts, the proposed model is expected to be expanded to mass fashion brands.

• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.1-27
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• 2011

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.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.81-87
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• 2018

Purpose - The perception of the quality of the consumer's distributor's brand(PBs) is generally perceived to be lower than that of the manufacturer's brand(NB), although it is a critical factor in determining the success of PBs. Accordingly, this study examines the characteristics of the convenience store PB products and their correlation with brand trust and purchase intent in the consumers who have had experience purchasing the convenience store PBs to expand the sales variables. Further, this research shows that the marketing strategy is to increase the share of PBs by providing an empirical analysis on the effect of the product attribute factors on the sales volume associated with brand trust, purchase intent, and others. Research design, data, and methodology - The survey period of this study was approximately three weeks from December 1, 2017 to December 21, 2017. The study samples that were taken from 100 random people extracted. The statistical analysis was carried out with multiple regression analysis using the SPSS statistical package. Results - The analysis shows that the brand credibility and purchasing intention were statistically significant differences between the private convenience store private brand products. Specifically, brand trust showed a statistically significant relationship the brand images and quality levels, but the perceived value was not affected statistically. Although the intent of the purchase showed a statistically significant relationship the quality level and the perceived value, the brand image was not statistically significant in its relationship. Conclusions - Overall, it has been established that the perception value does not statistically affect brand trust for convenience store PB products, and that the brand image has no statistically significant effect on the purchase intent. These results are analyzed to be due to the influence of brand in convenience stores themselves rather than brand trust and purchase intentions that affect sales performance, which is the property of private brand food and beverage products, the perceived value of their products. Accordingly, the study found that not only did the marketing performance of the convenience store PB products be improved statistically, but also the cause of the product attributes that were not statistically significant was identified.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.879-886
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• 2009

The purpose of this article is to present the application of Least Squares Support Vector Machine in analyzing the existing structure of brand. We estimate the parameters of the Market Share Attraction Model using a non-parametric technique for function estimation called Least Squares Support Vector Machine, which allows us to perform even nonlinear regression by constructing a linear regression function in a high dimensional feature space. Estimation by Least Squares Support Vector Machine technique makes it a good candidate for solving the Market Share Attraction Model. To illustrate the performance of the proposed method, we use the car sales data in South Korea's car market.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.115-123
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• 2016

Purpose - Nowadays the competition between companies has been intensified in the aviation industry. It is hard to maintain successful market share in challenging managerial environment. Not long ago, a Korean major aviation company had faced social condemnation cause of managerial staff's immoral behaviors. That company suffers great losses in company brand value in terms of authenticity as an aviation company. This research tried to show the effect of brand authenticity in the aviation industry. First of all, this research tried to define the dimensions of the brand authenticities based on the former researches. This research suggested the airline brand authenticities as three kinds of dimensions. The dimensions of authenticities consist of performance aspects, symbolic aspects and moral aspects. And this research also tried to show the relationships between brand authenticities and consumers attitudes. Research design, data and methodology - The empirical research design is based on the experiments with six types of advertisement prototypes. The advertisement prototypes were based on three types of authenticities' characteristics. The prototypes were made of core statements about each authenticity. And the advertisement prototypes also were based on the aviation company types. The types of aviation companies could be divided into FSC(full service carrier)and LCC(low cost carrier). So the whole experiments were performed with six kinds of advertisement prototypes(3 brand authenticities X 2 aviation company types). The age of participants were from 20s to 40s. The proportion of participants' demographics are as follow. Age proportion is 50% of 20s and 50% of 30s and 40s. Gender proportion is 46% males and 54% females. The experiments performed through mobile devices. Advertisement prototypes were exposed to the participants through their mobile devices, and they answered the questionnaires. All the process of experiments were performed by a professional research firm to maintain the quality of data. Results - This research suggested some important outcomes as follow. First, brand authenticity had an important role to make a positive consumer attitude on the aviation company. All the three types advertisement of authenticities had a positive impact on the consumer attitude for the aviation company. Second, the three types of brand authenticities in the performance aspects, symbolic aspects, and moral aspects had a major impact on the consumers attitudes. The performance authenticity had the biggest effect on the consumer attitudes. Third, the types of aviation companies like FSC and LCC had a different correlation with types of authenticities. All the types of authenticities affected on the consumers attitudes in the FSC case. The symbolic authenticity had the biggest effect in the FSC case. But the performance authenticity showed the most striking effect in the LCC case. Conclusion - From this research, we can get a conclusion. The brand authenticity of aviation company should be managed carefully to maintain a positive brand image and consumers attitudes. And airline brand authenticities can be consist of three type dimensions. All the types of authenticities affects on the consumers attitudes positively. The symbolic authenticity affects more in the FSC case, and the performance authenticity influences more in the LCC case.

• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.113-128
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• 2012

The growth of market share of distributors' brands, also known as private brand, has accelerated in recent years. Sales volumes and market shares of private brands, as well as their appeal to consumers have steadily increased. Carrying private brands comes with numerous advantages, one of which is the relatively high gross margin, which can be 20 - 30% higher compared to manufacturer brands. Recently, many big discount stores are expanding private brand for higher sales volume. Thus, private brands play an important strategic role for retailers. The tendency of growing private brand will decrease sales revenue of both channel members, distributer and manufacturer. The disadvantage for manufacturer is obvious, especially for the manufactures who not only produce their own brands but also retailer brands competing against their own. There are also possible to weaken the brand awareness of manufacturer's brand. The purpose of this study is to explore the perception gap between retailers and manufacturers. we investigated to identify how consumers perceive private brand. In other to study the impact of private brands on distributors, we surveyed the actual condition of private brand and perception towards private brands among consumers, retailers and manufacturers. Based these analysis, we recommended proposal for private brand policies as follows: First, it need to correct imbalance between large retailer and manufacturer. second, we suggest "win-win growth policy", Third, by registering trademark right of national brand, manufacturers have a way of protecting their brands. Forth, manufacturers are encouraged to produce PNB(Private National Brand).

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.23-33
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• 2013

Purpose - Numerous studies have tried to assess the role of a warranty as an explanatory instrument for product quality. While one study argued that manufacturers signal their superior quality to consumers by extending the duration of a warranty, quality is not necessarily related to warranty and a warranty for a short duration is a sign of high product quality. However, there are limitations to measuring product quality in terms of a single variable such as a warranty. Some other studies have evaluated the influence of brand power or value and price on the supposed quality of a product while the influence of warranty was found to be insignificant. Research design, data, methodology - The study analyzes the influence of brand power and the country of origin effect on consumers' perception of product quality in line with warranty and establishes a priority strategy. Especially, consumer experience has a significant influence on state of the art technology products like applied home electronics as these goods are generally quite expensive and consumers expend significant energy in purchasing them, so the associated warranty and brand can have a critical role in the decision making process. The price of the product was excluded in this discussion as it continually varies with the market share of the product. Results - The results of the analysis are as follows: First, each of the factors such as the standard of the warranty, brand power, and country of origin effect influences the degree of satisfaction of an individual. Second, the factors brand power and quality of the warranty interact both complementarily and synergistically at a time, depending on the brand power. As brand power is more significant, the degree of satisfaction is greater in case of products with low quality warranty compared to those with high quality warranty. Third, the brand power and country of origin effect present a complementary interaction. Fourth, the country of origin effect and quality of a warranty interact synergistically. Conclusions - Thus, the higher the quality of warranty, greater is the increment in the degree of satisfaction. The comprehensive study on the effect of the country of origin on the purchase decision process and the degree of satisfaction compared to the other elements shows that in case of Japanese and Korean markets the brand power of a company is desirable in sustaining the quality of warranty to the industrial average. Also, there is no significant improvement in the perceived quality of the product when the quality of the warranty is lowered. Therefore, the warranty effect diminishes when the value of the brand is known, while it perishes when both the brand power and the country of origin effect are strong enough.