• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.849-860
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• 2011

This study explores a structural model to examine the relationship between web browsing motivation, retail strategy and purchase conversion for apparel on shopping websites. A self-administered questionnaire based on existing scales includes web browsing motivation, retail strategy, and purchase conversion intention of apparel on the shopping websites. A total of 499 usable questionnaires were obtained from consumers aging 20 to 49 who reside in metropolitan cities in Korea. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation models were used via SPSS 12.0 and LISREL 8.8. Findings concluded that web browsing motivations consisted of three factors: hedonic, informational, and recreational browsing for apparel. Hedonic browsing had a negative effect on purchase conversion intention, whereas informational browsing had a positive effect on the purchase conversion intention for apparel on shopping sites. Retail strategies on the website were classified into service, merchandise assortment, and price & promotion; the three elements of retail strategies mediated the relationship between web browsing motivations and purchase conversion intention for apparel. Specially, merchandise assortment had significantly direct effect on the purchase conversion intention of apparel on shopping websites. Managerial implications were discussed for fashion marketers to develop retail strategies and web content in order to convert web browsers or visitors into purchasers.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.117-126
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• 2022

This study aims to analyze the sizing information of women's ready-to-wear pants as indicated on online retail websites and to suggest better sizing communication that can assist customers in making successful apparel size selections. We gathered size specifications and size reference information for basic straight pants from 34 online apparel retail websites. Although the Korean standard recommends labeling the body dimension-based sizing code and specification, most websites preferred to use various types of sizing codes. Body measurements were only used by a few websites, and garment dimension descriptions were the most common method to indicate product size. Many websites provided size reference information through customer review boards and fit model images, however, there was insufficient body size information to allow customers to infer the fit of their body type. When using the size guidance tools, the major data input points were stature and weight measurements. However, the waist measurements of pants sizes guided only by stature and weight values revealed inconsistent ease allowance for corresponding body size populations, especially in the overweight group. Based on our findings, we propose a more effective method of communicating the size information of pants online. We expect that this will contribute to the efficiency of online apparel product display and build a better shopping environment that satisfies both sellers and consumers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.598-609
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• 2014

The increased use of online shopping by older consumers means that online retailers need to consider older consumers when designing websites. We investigated the specific characteristics of commercial websites (i.e., perceptual fluency) through an online experiment. Guided by perceptual fluency and affect optimization literature, hypotheses highlighting older consumers' responses to websites were proposed and tested. Results confirmed that older consumers (in their 50s) are more generous in evaluating online retailers' websites than younger consumers (in their 20s) and that responses to websites are dependent on perceptual fluency. The findings are consistent with previous research and provide additional support for theories that deal with an online apparel shopping context. Practical implications and limitations are discussed.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.343-351
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• 2009

As more and more consumers shop online, websites of fashion brands have become effective means for business activities. The Colors of web sites are the most effective visual elements for e-tailers to communicate with consumers. The purpose of this study is to compare websites created for local and global markets by men's apparel brands. The empirical study focused on differences of color application between the local and global websites. Fourteen brands were chosen for the study. The main color, sub color, and accent color were extracted according to the screen component ratios for each website. The colors were analyzed by Munsell's 10 Hues and 12 tone classifications of Practical Color Coordinate System. The Results indicated that all websites were using White as the main color. The local website used pale tones while global websites used dark tones. There was also differences in the use of sub colors and tones. Red was most used as the accent color in both local and global websites.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.127-138
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• 2015

Due to the virtual nature of online businesses, online apparel stores need to enhance the consumer experience by utilizing store design attributes to provide their customers relevant and sufficient information. Since online apparel stores mainly communicate with their customers virtually and digitally, it is important to understand how consumers perceive and react to different design attributes commonly found on apparel stores' online websites. The purpose of this paper is to examine the importance of design attributes commonly found on online apparel stores' websites using three different importance measurements. The design attributes examined in this study include enlarged pictures, product detail pictures, product reviews by other buyers, coordinating items, and size measurement charts. The three different measurements used in this study include two direct measures and one indirect measure using conjoint analysis. Across the three different measures, both the men and women indicated that enlarged pictures represent the most important design attribute when they purchase clothes online followed by size measurement charts and they considered the availability of coordinating items the least important design attribute.

• Proceedings of the Costume Culture Conference
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.36-38
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• 2004

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1369-1380
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• 2005

This study suggests a strategy of providing apparel product information from the wearers' perspective on Internet shopping malls, as a way of compensating for the lack of opportunities to try on the actual product. On an actual Internet shopping mall that sells apparel product, the 'trial-experience information' (the experiential information provided by the fit models who tried on the products) was provided for 83 different items from four women's wear brands. The traffic and sales performances (number of visitors, page view, gross sales of goods, conversion rate, and the numbers of customer transactions) of the apparel product websites that contain trial-experience information were compared to the performances of the brand's websites before this information was implemented. The changes in percent contribution of these brands in women's wear category were also noted. The specific results are as follows: First, all the four performance measures as well as the percent contribution of the experiment products in women's wear category increased noticeably throughout the experiment period (11 to $103\%$). Second, when the percent contribution of these brands in women's wear category in terms of traffic and sales performances were compared to the previous year, these measures increased between $497\%\;and\;2851\%$. Third, the amount of customer transactions also increased after the trial-information was provided, yet to a relatively smaller extent $(29.04\%\;to\;55.25\%)$. The findings showed that trial-experience information provided on the Internet shopping malls may reduce customers' risk perception and lead to increased sales of apparel product and improve the site use ratio.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.617-627
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• 2020

This study investigates the apparel sizing communication presented in online retail websites focusing on women's ready-to-wear tailored jackets and to analyze the meaning of these information as the actual product size guide factor. A total of 34 retail websites were selected based on the highest growth fashion companies list and the best fashion brands list. We collected size information in two types: size specifications including sizing code, body measurements, garment measurements, and size references including customized size guide tools, size information in customer reviews, model size information, and others. Most websites prefer to present garment measurements rather than body measurements that are recommended notations under Korean standards and related regulations. In addition, there was the absence of consistency in presenting measurements list and terms that can confuse consumers in size communication. This study found that the stature measurement was a key factor in size reference despite that it did not represent a proper garment size. The obsolete Korean numbering sizing code such as '55 and '66 was still used in many ways such as idiomatic expressions for body shape. It also implied that we can take advantage of the old sizing code for accessible size information. The finding of this study gives an in-depth diagnosis of current online sizing information problems and suggests useful basic data for developing online apparel size standards and marketing strategies.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.73-84
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• 2023

This study aims to identify the current sizing communication issues of menswear on retail websites and to suggest an effective size information presentation method. Based on sales frequency and awareness in the Korean menswear market, 22 brand websites were selected, and size-related information was investigated using 7 types of representative apparel items. The current diverse types of size codes had limitations in delivering actual product size information. Many websites preferred to display garment dimensions rather than basic body measurements, which is the suggested size designation method in Korean Standard. The websites posted fit model photos and customer reviews. However, the body size specifications, which consumers can use as a useful reference, were often omitted. There was also a high uncertainty in product size selection, with only the basic body measurement information listed, and there was a high deviation of garment dimensions within the same basic body measurements. The product size distribution did not match actual Korean body types. Based on the findings, we suggested improved effective sizing communication methods. These methods will contribute to a better online shopping environment for both consumers and retail sellers.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.175-189
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• 2013

This study was aimed at finding the effects of consumer experience related to experience providers of apparel companies on brand loyalty. The participants of this study included experienced SPA fashion brand shopping female consumers who are between the ages of 20 to 50 residing in Seoul. A total of 285 questionnaires were used for the survey of this study. Methods of data analysis included. The result of this study revealed the 9 factors of experience providers in apparel companies: co-branding, advertising, visual/verbal identity & signage, design & quality, physical environment, people, emotional environment, websites, and sales promotion. The 5 factors of consumer experiences were behavioral experience, relational experience, affective experience, intellectual experience, and sensory experience. The experience providers of the apparel company had a significant impact on consumer experience of SPA, such as behavioral experience, sensory experience, affective experience, intellectual experience and relational experience. Of all, consumer experience of SPA as well as behavioral, sensory and affective experiences had a positive impact on brand loyalty. In conclusion, experience providers, at the disposal of the apparel company, are tactical implementation components for creating consumer experience. Therefore, the marketing strategy of apparel companies should be focused on eliciting affirmative responses from consumers.