Understanding the role of physical trial for good shopping decisions

Purpose – In the context of omnichannel distribution development, this study aims to understand how and why trying products out helps people make good purchase decisions (i.e. decisions that they do not regret later). Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses mixed methods consisting of an experi...

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Main Authors: Philippine Loupiac, Emmanuelle Le Nagard
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Emerald Publishing 2024-10-01
Series:RAUSP Management Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/RAUSP-12-2023-0245/full/pdf
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author Philippine Loupiac
Emmanuelle Le Nagard
author_facet Philippine Loupiac
Emmanuelle Le Nagard
author_sort Philippine Loupiac
collection DOAJ
description Purpose – In the context of omnichannel distribution development, this study aims to understand how and why trying products out helps people make good purchase decisions (i.e. decisions that they do not regret later). Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses mixed methods consisting of an experiment (n = 162), a series of interviews with consumers (n = 16) and in-store observations (n = 202). Findings – Results show that trying products out allows us to evaluate how they will fit, which increases purchase intention. They also indicate that trying leads to better decision-making. Research limitations/implications – This paper enriches product trial literature and sheds new light on how sales channels combine in omnichannel distribution. Practical implications – The conclusions of this research will be useful to retailers who want to help consumers make better purchasing decisions. Social implications – Helping consumers make better decisions minimizes the societal impact of consumption by reducing the frequency of re-purchases and product returns. Originality/value – The originality of this research lies in using mixed methods, providing a complete understanding of why consumers try products out and how they do so.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2024-10-01
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series RAUSP Management Journal
spelling doaj-art-eabe7c59a7ff41f4bef6655d3d71dbd32024-12-11T12:37:36ZengEmerald PublishingRAUSP Management Journal2531-04882024-10-0159331232810.1108/RAUSP-12-2023-0245Understanding the role of physical trial for good shopping decisionsPhilippine Loupiac0Emmanuelle Le Nagard1TBS Business School, Toulouse, FranceESSEC Business School, Cergy, FrancePurpose – In the context of omnichannel distribution development, this study aims to understand how and why trying products out helps people make good purchase decisions (i.e. decisions that they do not regret later). Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses mixed methods consisting of an experiment (n = 162), a series of interviews with consumers (n = 16) and in-store observations (n = 202). Findings – Results show that trying products out allows us to evaluate how they will fit, which increases purchase intention. They also indicate that trying leads to better decision-making. Research limitations/implications – This paper enriches product trial literature and sheds new light on how sales channels combine in omnichannel distribution. Practical implications – The conclusions of this research will be useful to retailers who want to help consumers make better purchasing decisions. Social implications – Helping consumers make better decisions minimizes the societal impact of consumption by reducing the frequency of re-purchases and product returns. Originality/value – The originality of this research lies in using mixed methods, providing a complete understanding of why consumers try products out and how they do so.https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/RAUSP-12-2023-0245/full/pdfProduct trialDecision qualityPerceived fitExperience goodsMixed methods
spellingShingle Philippine Loupiac
Emmanuelle Le Nagard
Understanding the role of physical trial for good shopping decisions
RAUSP Management Journal
Product trial
Decision quality
Perceived fit
Experience goods
Mixed methods
title Understanding the role of physical trial for good shopping decisions
title_full Understanding the role of physical trial for good shopping decisions
title_fullStr Understanding the role of physical trial for good shopping decisions
title_full_unstemmed Understanding the role of physical trial for good shopping decisions
title_short Understanding the role of physical trial for good shopping decisions
title_sort understanding the role of physical trial for good shopping decisions
topic Product trial
Decision quality
Perceived fit
Experience goods
Mixed methods
url https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/RAUSP-12-2023-0245/full/pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT philippineloupiac understandingtheroleofphysicaltrialforgoodshoppingdecisions
AT emmanuellelenagard understandingtheroleofphysicaltrialforgoodshoppingdecisions