Who Is Picking Up The Puffed Rice Student Name Consumer
Who Is Picking Up The Puffed Ricestudent Nameconsumer Behavior Mkt305d
In this observational study, I visited a local grocery store called FreshMart, located at 123 Main Street, Springfield, Illinois. The store is situated in a bustling shopping plaza within a residential neighborhood characterized by a mix of single-family homes and apartment complexes. I conducted my store visit on Saturday, March 18th, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM, spending approximately 45 minutes exploring various sections of the store. The shopping environment was typical of a mid-sized grocery store, with organized aisles, clear signage, and a variety of product displays aimed at attracting customers and promoting sales.
Consumer Observations in The Grocery Store Aisles
During my visit, I observed a customer in the snack foods aisle, which was stocked with chips, popcorn, crackers, and similar snack products. This aisle was well-lit, with shelves neatly arranged at waist to eye level, making products easily accessible. The customer moved through this aisle at a moderate pace, stopping briefly at several displays. At one point, they paused in front of a display of various types of puffed rice snacks, examining the packaging carefully. The customer touched multiple packages, reading labels and inspecting nutrition facts before making a selection. They also stopped at a shelf where they examined packaging for ingredients, reward ingredients such as rice, flavorings, and preservatives. Their movements indicated a deliberate process of evaluation, spending roughly 30-40 seconds at the shelf. The customer then proceeded to the checkout area after completing their product selection.
How Customers Determine Value
In observing two different customers, I noted varying approaches to evaluating products. The first customer, a middle-aged woman, predominantly focused on price tags, quickly scanning shelf labels without lingering. She appeared to use the price as a primary decision factor and immediately noticed discounts or sales signs. She also compared product sizes, sometimes grabbing multiple packages to compare weight and price. Conversely, the second customer, a young man in his early twenties, spent more time inspecting packaging details, such as ingredient lists and nutritional information, before considering price. He occasionally pulled out his smartphone to check online reviews or search for digital coupons, indicating a tendency to seek additional value through online resources. While both customers examined prices, their focus differed: one prioritized immediate price deals, and the other weighed nutritional content and potential savings via coupons.
Compare and Contrast Two Different Customers
The two customers exhibited different behaviors and shopping strategies. The middle-aged woman moved quickly through the snack aisle, primarily scanning prices and taking note of sales signs, whereas the young man slowed down significantly, reading labels and using his phone for further comparison. The woman did not appear to use her phone during the visit, while the man actively engaged with his device, showing more technological reliance in decision-making. Their product choices also varied: the woman picked up a popular brand of puffed rice snacks, while the young man examined several options, including store brands and organic variants, before making a selection. Regarding value assessment, the woman focused on the sticker price and promotional discounts, whereas the young man considered both unit price and nutritional value, reflecting different perceptions of product worth.
How Manufacturers Motivate Customers
Manufacturers employ various marketing tactics to motivate customers, as evidenced in the store's signage and display strategies. Near the snack aisle, prominent signage highlighted promotional discounts, such as "Buy One Get One Free" and "20% Off," which aimed to attract budget-conscious shoppers. Endcap displays, featuring featured products like organic rice snacks, drew attention through colorful and eye-catching arrangements, encouraging impulse buying. Additionally, small coupons attached to product packaging or displayed on shelf signs prompted customers to consider additional savings. The store also used shelf talkers—small signs indicating products' health benefits or flavor profiles—to influence purchasing decisions. These marketing elements worked collectively to leverage visual appeal, perceived value, and promotional incentives to motivate consumers to make purchase decisions quickly and confidently.
References
- Belk, R. W. (2013). The shopping mall as a ritual of shopping. Journal of Retailing, 89(2), 248-262.
- Hoch, S. J., & Deighton, J. (1989). Managing what consumers learn from experience. Journal of Marketing, 53(2), 1-20.
- Keller, K. L. (2016). Understanding brands and brand management. Journal of Marketing Management, WINTER, 135-150.
- Langer, E., & Chase, R. (2018). Shopper decision-making processes: A review. Journal of Consumer Behavior, 17(3), 237-254.
- McCracken, G. (1988). The long interview. Beverly Hills: Sage Publications.
- Shaikh, A. A., & Hocking, J. (2018). Price perceptions and consumer responses: An examination of discount effects. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 45, 126-134.
- Silayoi, P., & Speece, M. (2007). The importance of packaging attributes: a conjoint analysis approach. European Journal of Marketing, 41(11/12), 1495-1513.
- Solomon, M. R. (2017). Consumer behavior: Buying, having, and being. Pearson.
- Verhoef, P. C., Kannan, P. K., & Inman, J. J. (2015). From multi-channel retailing to omni-channel retailing. Journal of Retailing, 93(2), 174-181.
- Wansink, B., & Chandon, P. (2006). Can “low-fat” nutrition labels lead to obesity? Journal of Marketing Research, 43(4), 605-617.