Jan M. Hathcote

Customer Expectations and Perceptions of Service Quality in Retail Apparel Specialty Stores

Examines the differences between consumers′ expectations and perceptions of service quality they received when shopping apparel specialty stores. Also takes into account consumer demographic characteristics. Utilizes SERVQUAL scale and methodology developed by Parasuraman et al., (1991). Calculates gap scores by subtracting the expectation scores from the perception scores. Using a factor analysis procedure, four determinants of service quality emerged: (1) Personal Attention; (2) Reliability; (3) Tangibles; and (4) Convenience. Findings indicate greatest disparity between expectations and perceptions for the Personal Attention factor. Consumer demographic characteristics of race, marital status, and income provided significant differences between expectations and perceptions for Reliability and Convenience. Also considers the importance of service as a patronage criterion for apparel specialty store consumers. Indicates that service ranked third in importance behind merchandise assortment and price.

Casualwear shopping behaviour of college men in Georgia, USA

The expanding nature of the men’s casual apparel market represents a considerable economic growth area in the apparel industry. Of particular interest is the demand for casual clothing by college‐age men. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influences of casualwear involvement (high, medium, low) on the purchasing behaviour of male students in relation to their shopping dimensions, personal characteristics, buying behaviour, shopping attributes and information sources. Data were collected using a questionnaire delivered by e‐mail to a systematically selected sample, with 176 male college students responding from 18 colleges in Georgia, USA. The results revealed that there were unique shopping patterns which differ according to casualwear involvement, indicating a deep interest in casualwear and appearance. Most male students had a medium to high casualwear involvement sum score; however, as age increased this score decreased. Both the personal and the market information sources indicated that customers with high involvement were more experienced than either the low or medium involvement groups. The medium involvement casualwear group was composed of consumers who were likely to make purchases during the sale season. The low involvement cohort was moderate casualwear buyers in terms of volume and purchased expensive casualwear. This study shows that classifying male college students by involvement can be helpful in marketing to this group. Apparel marketers are well advised to focus on this neglected cohort of male casualwear consumers.

A qualitative study of micromarketing merchandising in the US apparel retail industry

Purpose – To examine the variables that influence micromarketing merchandising in the apparel industry in order to help new retailer understand the importance of micromarketing merchandising.Design/methodology/approach – A model was developed showing the different variables that influenced micromarketing merchandising. General merchandising managers of 20 US‐based apparel retail chains were interviewed using a questionnaire developed after analyzing the available literature. A qualitative method of data analysis was conducted and the model was revised based on the findings of the research.Findings – A qualitative analysis of the transcribed interviews indicated that assortment, demographics, pricing and customer loyalty were the primary variables that effected micromarketing merchandising in the apparel retail industry. The sub‐variables in the study included lifestyle, ethnicity, store size and location, and customer service.Research limitations/implications – The research was limited to US‐based apparel...

Comparative Analysis of Apparel Import by Fiber Content: The Case of the United States and Japan

Comparative Analysis of Apparel Import by Fiber Content: The Case of the United States and Japan The present study investigated the difference in U.S. and Japanese apparel import demand, driven by fiber content specific to each market and revealed overall characteristics of the corresponding import market. Based on demand theory (Deaton & Mullebaur, 1980), this research (1) calculated price and income elasticities to identify characteristics of U.S. and Japanese apparel import markets by fiber content, and (2) compared differences in the price and income elasticities of apparel imports based on fiber contents in both markets using analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Apparel import decisions in the United States and Japan based on demand theory

This research investigated factors that determine apparel import demand in the United States and Japan based on demand theory and industry and trade contexts of apparel trade. More specifically, (a) product price and income based on demand theory, (b) labour cost and lead time based on the apparel industry context and (c) tariff, quota and exchange rates based on the trade context were used to estimate apparel import demand in the United States and Japan between 1974 and 2004 using multiple regression analysis.

The Potential Effects of NAFTA on the Textile and Apparel Industry in the United States

The prospect of the enactment of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which would result in the elimination of both tariff and nontariff barriers to trade between Canada, Mexico and the United States, has ignited concern within the textile and apparel industry. Historically this has been one of the most highly protected industrial sectors, and debates are taking place regarding the manner and extent that North American free trade will impact on the industry.