Consumer emotions: Determinants and outcomes in a shopping mall

The present study aims to provide a deeper understanding of consumers’ emotions in a shopping mall by taking into account its two dimensions i.e. pleasure and arousal. The conceptual model is developed by considering a few unexamined determinants (namely perceived human and spatial mall crowding, promotional events, and co-visitors) and outcomes (namely repatronage and positive word-of-mouth) of arousal and pleasure. The responses (n=346) are collected by using a mall-intercept technique. Results of structural equation modeling reveal positive linkages between determinants and outcomes of pleasure and arousal. Overall, the work extends and complements the extant literature by delineating the role of various social cues and promotional cues on consumers’ pleasure and arousal in a shopping mall setting. Theoretical and managerial implications are further discussed.     

An investigation into online atmospherics: The effect of animated images on emotions,cognition, and purchase intentions

While prior research on animation effects focused on Web advertising, this article focuses on online retailing and identifies animated images as an important online atmospheric cue. Using an extended Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) model, this article explores animation effects on emotional and cognitive processes. Across two studies, the findings show that compared with static images, animated images elicit greater pleasure, which in turn induces more favorable website attitudes, and lead to higher purchase intentions. Further, this serial mediation effect holds across different types of products. These findings, from the perspective of online atmospherics, deepen our understanding of animation effects on consumer approach-avoidance responses.     

The influence of atmospherics general interior variables on shoppers’ emotions and behavior

ABSTRACT

This study applies a systematic categorization of general interior variables (GIV) to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the shopping sensory environment. A survey-based study focusing on the impact of the shopping mall GIV on shopper behavior while considering the mediating role of shoppers’ emotional states is reported. Results indicate a direct impact of positive attitudes towards color schemes, mall lighting, scent and temperature on shopper satisfaction and/or the desire to stay at the mall. Regarding the effect of emotional states, pleasure and arousal mediate the relation between several variables and the studied outcomes. Implications for theory and retailers are discussed.     

In-store music and aroma influences on shopper behavior and satisfaction

Retail markets are increasingly competitive and retailers continuously look to differentiate their retail offering. One way to differentiate is by providing a pleasant and exciting shopping ambience. This paper experimentally tests the effects of music (volume high or low) and aroma (vanilla scent present/absent) on young fashion shoppers in a real retail setting. Results show that volume of music and the presence of a vanilla aroma both have a significant impact on shoppers' emotions and satisfaction levels. Additional analysis reveals that the arousal induced by music and aroma results in increased pleasure levels, which in turn positively influences shopper behaviors, including time and money spend, approach behavior, and satisfaction with the shopping experience. Direct effects of arousal on behaviors as well as an interaction effect between music and aroma on pleasure and time spent in the store are also present. The paper contributes to the better understanding of shoppers' emotions and shopper behaviors in response to in-store atmospherics and offers retailers practical insights into how to create competitive advantage by customizing the atmosphere in their stores.