Expanding opportunities for online shoppers with disabilities

The Internet promises many opportunities for consumers who shop online. While prior studies identify problems with online access for persons with disabilities, research has not examined whether consumers with disabilities shop online similarly to persons who are not disabled. The study attempts to fill this gap in two unique ways. First, this paper specifically considers the frequency of online shopping, the amount spent, and reasons for shopping online among both disabled and non-disabled persons. In addition, the study groups persons with disabilities into six major categories according to disability type rather than aggregating into one general category. Telephone surveys of 1053 persons reveal both differences and similarities that suggest opportunities for improving online access and developing a richer understanding of the online shopping motivations and needs of persons with disabilities.     

Current issues in retailing: Relationships and emerging opportunities: Introduction to the special issue from the American Collegiate Retailing Association 2005 and 2006 conferences

Retail innovation impacts the entire marketing channel, from manufacturers to retail employees, franchisors to international distributors, and Internet marketers to final consumers. Increased global expansion, a re-emphasis on relationship building, and the explosive growth of e-commerce have transformed all facets of retailing. The papers appearing in this special issue, consisting of the best papers from the Spring and Winter conferences of the American Collegiate Retailing Association held in 2005 and 2006, capture these cutting-edge issues. The papers have gone through two rounds of a double-blind review process and been screened by one of two selection committees.     

Seeing Through the Eyes of the Color-Deficient Shopper: Consumer Issues for Public Policy

The need for understandable consumer information is critical in today's complex shopping environment. New sources of information emerge on almost a daily basis, yet portions of many messages go unnoticed or are misunderstood. Many persons have impaired or limited perceptual abilities as part of congenital or illness-related conditions, yet their specific experiences, problems, and needs have been infrequently addressed. In the present study, the author examines color-deficient vision and its impacts upon consumer emotions, enjoyment, efficiency, and safety-related aspects of shopping, product use, and advertising comprehension. The responses of actual color-deficient shoppers are examined for common problems, and implications are given for public policy.