• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.195-215
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• 2010

The emergence of the luxury market has led numerous academic researchers, as well as marketers in the luxury market, to pay attention to both identifying luxury brand features and measuring perceptions toward luxury brands. Especially, Korea is a significant emerging market for luxury goods. Young consumers and male consumers are getting into the luxury market fast and these new segments will keep increasing. There are only a few studies related to distinctive definitions of luxury brands and measurement development for the Korean market. However, there are some limitations in these previous studies in that they did not capture the nature of luxury due to their inappropriate of subjects and approach in data collection and to lack of a perspective of Korean specific features. Thus, the purpose of this research is to identify Korean consumers' perceptions toward luxury products and, ultimately, to develop a reliable and valid measurement items for the luxury products' features for the Korean market. Defining the three high constructs(functional, emotional, and symbolic aspects) as a key needs and benefits on luxury brands, we looked at four stages of development for generating and deducting items by luxury industry experts and luxury consumers, as well as for testing measures by 20th~60th consumers. As a result, this study confirmed that luxury brands consists of high quality, high price, unique design, and luxury store; the emotional aspect construct combines craftsmanship, VIP service, and high social status; and the symbolic construct includes brand heritage and being a well-known brand. Finally, 22 measurement items (Measures of Luxury Brand for Korea: LBK) were developed for the conceptual features for luxury brands from a Korean perspective. This study provided understanding of Korean consumers' perceptions toward luxury brands from an academic perspective. For the managerial implication of this study, LBK can be utilized to judge both luxury brands and mass brands, to diagnose current a brand's luxuriousness, from the customer's point-of-view, and, finally, to measure a Key Performance Index (KPI) of luxury brand companies.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.11 no.10
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• pp.5-15
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• 2013

Purpose - With the increase in fervor to purchase luxury brands, new social problems have arisen, such as excessive preoccupation with luxury brands and high preference for forged luxury goods. Therefore, the issues related to luxury brands, termed "Luxury Syndrome," have emerged as an area of great interest for researchers and practitioners. However, previous studies neglect to categorize this preference for luxury brands. Therefore, this study aims to identify the different purchasing behaviors of consumers using the types of luxury brands preferences as parameters. Research design, data, and methodology - This study arranges a causal relationship model assuming that purchase behaviors positively (+) affect typified preference for luxury brands and purchase intentions. We administered a questionnaire survey to the purchasers who bought luxury brands from department stores to secure additional data necessary to verify the hypotheses in this study. We then processed the data using SPSS 19.0. We further analyzed the basic data using frequency and descriptive statistical analysis, and verified the measurement tools through feasibility and reliability analyses. Moreover, this study uses multiple regression analysis to verify the hypotheses. Further, this study tests the path effect between luxury brand purchase attitude and purchase behavior, with non-intrinsic preference and intrinsic preference as the mediating variables. Results - Based on the results, the impact of tendencies of conspicuous consumption and self-monitoring on non-intrinsic preference was significantly positive (+), while the impact of tendencies of pursuit of a reference group, conspicuous consumption, and self-monitoring on intrinsic preference and purchase intentions was significantly positive (+). Further, non-intrinsic and intrinsic preferences positively (+) influence purchase intentions and the impact of non-intrinsic preference took an absolute portion. However, the tendency of dependence on brands negatively (-) impacts purchase intentions. The results showed that self-monitoring and conspicuous consumption tendencies have greater effect on purchase intention, which is mediated by non-intrinsic preference. In contrast, reference group following tendency has a greater effect on purchase intention, which is mediated by intrinsic preference. Conclusions - Based on the results, the study verifies that the consumption of luxury brands in Korea has not yet entered the settling period. The tendency for conspicuous consumption and the tendency for pursuit of the reference group were relatively important aspects for the consumers who prefer luxury brands non-intrinsically and intrinsically, respectively. Especially, it was found that the purchase intentions for forged brands originate from the tendency to depend on brands. Based on these findings, this study suggests the measures to develop and mature the luxury brands market, and reinforce marketing performance at the three levels, that is, government, distributors, and manufacturers. The luxury brands manufacturers should devote themselves to the production and design of products to catch the attention of mature consumers of luxury brands. The luxury brands distributors should then raise the level of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) for opinion leaders. Finally, the Government should prepare effective policies for the development of luxury brands and provide a variety of economic support.

• Fashion, Industry and Education
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.36-45
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• 2018

Recently China has become one of the major markets for luxury brands. In addition, practicing social responsibility by manufacturers of luxury brands has become ubiquitous because consumers' perception of such practices may affect their purchase decisions positively. This study explored Chinese shoppers' perception of luxury brands' social responsibility practices and their information seeking behavior. In this study, value congruence was used as a theoretical framework. Twelve participants were selected out of customers in a shopping mall in Beijing, and they were subject to in-depth interview. The interview consisted of open-ended questions about perception of luxury brands' social responsibility practices, sources to access such practices, and the degree of personal value congruence to such practices as well as demographic information. Qualitative approach was used to analyze the data. Half of the participants indicated their awareness of the social responsibility practices of luxury brands, which sets up a foundation for understanding importance of luxury brands' social responsibility practices. Approximately half of the participants preferred to learn about luxury brands' socially responsible practices online especially via social media. These findings imply that Chinese luxury shoppers' trust and preference for the companies would be enhanced by effective development and advertisement of companies' social responsibility practices, and thus provide luxury companies with useful information on marketing strategies.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.604-615
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• 2012

Despite the increasing recognition of the value of emotions and younger consumers in luxury market segments, little research has focused on the role consumer characteristics and emotions play in younger consumers' commitment to luxury brands. Drawing on the identity-motivation model and the idea of self-construal, this study identifies the contributing factors of younger consumers' commitment to luxury fashion brands. Specifically, this study examines the role of consumer characteristics (i.e., self-construal), the self-expressiveness of brands, and emotional factors (i.e., brand love and brand attachment) in developing consumer-brand relationships. The proposed model was tested with college students in the U.S., which supplied a representative group of younger consumers of luxury fashion brands. The data were collected using web-based surveys and analyzed using structural equation modeling method. The results showed that consumers who were characterized with interdependent self-construal had positive perceptions of self-expressive luxury fashion brands. Furthermore, the perception of self-expressive brands promotes the consumers' brand love of and brand attachmentto luxury fashion brands. Also, while both improved brand commitment, brand attachment had a greater impact on brand commitment than brand love. This study contributes to the literature by identifying driving forces of younger consumers' brand commitment. It also provides managerial implications for luxury fashion brands.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2016

This study analyzes consumers' preference trend, positive and negative factors in regards to luxury brands by researching changes in the consumer awareness of luxury brands, preference trends and psychological awareness based on big data to suggest a creative business strategy for corporations that can help Korean brands enter global luxury brand markets. The study results are as follows. Preferred items (consumer) psychology, positive awareness and negative awareness were derived based on the last five years of social big data on Korean consumers' preferred brands. First, the Korean consumers' preferred brands for the recent five years indicated that Dolce & Gabbana (2013), ESCADA (2012), Gucci (2011, 2009) and Chanel (2010) were most preferred and Prada, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Burberry, Fendi, Givenchy and Dior were also shown to be preferred brands. Second, bags (such as shoulder bags) were shown to be the most preferred items for luxury brand items that consumers wished to own. Third, it was analyzed that keywords for consumer psychology in regards to luxury brands included: diverse, new, outstanding, overwhelming, luxurious, glamorous, worldwide, famous, success and good. Fourth, consumers' positive awareness regarding luxury brands included: diverse, luxury, famous, outstanding, perfect, bright and luxurious. Fifth, negative awareness included: price factors of expensive, high price and excessive as well as factors to be improved upon such as old, bland, flashy, crude, unfriendly and fake.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.35 no.12
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• pp.1466-1476
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• 2011

This study explores if consumer perceptions about genuine luxury fashion merchandise are affected by the presence of counterfeits. A total of 504 consumers participated in an online survey. First, respondents were asked to indicate whether or not they agreed that counterfeits negatively affect genuine luxury fashion brands and to provide reasons for their responses. Approximately 57% replied that counterfeit goods negatively affect the image of genuine luxury fashion brand goods. The main reason mentioned was that counterfeit products damage the producer/copyright holder of genuine products, as well as the national economy; they believed that it damaged the genuine luxury brands' image due to the luxury goods becoming less rare; however, 43% of respondents stated that counterfeits did not negatively affect genuine luxury fashion brands. Thus, counterfeit availability reflects that a brand is renowned and popular in a market where consumers can recognize genuine luxury fashion products from counterfeits. Second, the respondents were asked about specific luxury fashion brands and indicated that seeing counterfeits did not negatively affect genuine luxury fashion brands' value, brand reputation or satisfaction of ownership. The majority of respondents disagreed that the availability of counterfeits negatively affects the value, reputation and satisfaction of owning original luxury brands.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.20-32
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• 2019

This study examined whether and how consumers who seek a bargain in their shopping for luxury fashion brands differ from traditional luxury consumers or non-luxury consumers on their market-related attitudes. To do so, this study compared multi-dimensional perceived values, fairness price perceptions, satisfaction with purchase, brand loyalty, and future purchase intention among luxury consumers, luxury-bargain seekers, and non-luxury consumers. Data was obtained from online surveys and the market-related attitudes were compared using an ANOVA test. The comparion of three types of consumers revealed that luxury-bargain seekers and regular luxury consumers are distinct consumer markets. Overall, luxury consumers displayed high perceived values and brand loyalty and were fairly satisfied with the purchase at full-prices. On the other hand, luxury-bargain seekers showed significantly low perceived social value, perceived fairness toward the original price of the brands, and brand loyalty. They were satisfied with the bargain purchase but not likely to purchase the luxury at full-prices in the future. Understanding these distinct types of consumers and targeting them with different product and pricing strategies are important for luxury brands and retailers to expand luxury consumer base without diluting their brands' prestige image. Potential marketing strategies based on the findings of this study were suggested.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.51-63
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• 2018

The study aims to articulate a definition of luxury brands, to propose a framework for consumer luxury brand relationships and to provide empirical evidence of the proposed model. The study conducted two surveys in Portugal and the United States in 2009 and 2013 for selected luxury brands. The study employs factor analysis and structural equation modelling techniques to test the hypotheses. The study finds a link between luxury products and consumer's psychological association represents in a hierarchical order of: cognitive attributes at its base level, extrinsic attributes on a secondary level and intrinsic attributes at the advance level. The findings suggest a concept for luxury brands from three dimensions of: luxury product characteristics, consumer's psychological characteristics, and consumer's psychological association with the luxury product. The research was conducted in Portugal and the United States so that there is always a potential criticism concerning the ability to generalize research results to a broader international population. The findings provide a holistic perspective in the understanding of luxury brand constructs and a definition of luxury brands in the way why consumers involve symbolic consumption. The successful application of the findings in a brand setting would be of particular interest to marketers and brand strategists.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.1-16
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to analyze the signification system between logo and brand image systematically in imported fashion luxury brands through semiotic approach. For this purpose, 29 luxury brands were selected from 3 department stores. According to the visual characters of logo, the types of logo used in the imported fashion luxury brands were classified into three types and the results of this study were following : First, the luxury brands used the brand logo in common that represent the name of founder or fashion designer to deliver the character of company's own brand and to emphasize the spirit of a craftsman. Second, the luxury brands also used the brand logo that design the brand initial in symmetry of the right and left or top and bottom to emphasize a unique spirit of the brand. Third, the luxury brands used the brand logo that represent or symbolize a specific animal or object to express the special quality of the brand in descriptive type. Forth, the luxury brands used the most frequently black color in brand logo that symbolize a perfection, immortality and solemnity, etc.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.45-54
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• 2008

This study examines the influence of acculturation level and ethnic groups as a fashion reference group on Korean-American consumer attitude toward luxury fashion brands. Of interest is the role of Korean culture, which emphasizes luxury brand consumption due to the Confucion value of 'face', on Korean-American attitudes toward luxury brands. Data were collected from 108 young Korean-Americans living in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and multiple regressions were conducted for the analysis. In general, the respondents had relatively negative attitudes toward luxury fashion brands. Even though the acculturation level did not have a significant influence, attitudes toward luxury fashion brands were influenced by Korean reference groups. Age at immigration did not have a significant relationship with attitudes toward luxury brands. Korean-Americans who maintain ties with Korean culture are more likely to have a positive attitude towards luxury fashion, regardless of familarity with American culture.