Title: Lifestyle retail internet marketing: how does it meet consumer needs

Authors: Katie Davis, Jenna Misener, Jennifer Tran, Jeanne Heitmeyer, Pauline Sullivan

Addresses: Department of Textiles and Consumer Sciences, College of Human Sciences, Florida State University, Sandels Building, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1492, USA. ' Department of Textiles and Consumer Sciences, College of Human Sciences, Florida State University, Sandels Building, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1492, USA. ' Department of Textiles and Consumer Sciences, College of Human Sciences, Florida State University, Sandels Building, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1492, USA. ' Department of Textiles and Consumer Sciences, College of Human Sciences, Florida State University, Sandels Building, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1492, USA. ' Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Texas State University-San Marcos, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666 USA; Department of Textiles and Consumer Sciences, College of Human Sciences, Florida State University, Sandels Building, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1492, USA

Abstract: This study investigates how shopping centres communicate their market position to perspective shoppers. The content analysis of lifestyle shopping centre communications is framed in Fishbein|s multi-attribute model. The purpose of this study is to investigate if lifestyle centre websites clearly communicate the identified retail attributes to customers. Nine attributes related to lifestyle centre retailing, identified in previous research, were used to create a multi-attribute model that provided the basis for this study. Fifty recently established life-style centres websites, identified by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) were used. The content analysis revealed the most frequently mentioned attributes on the lifestyle centre websites were tenant mix, centre events and convenient location. Parking and safety were the least mentioned attributes on the websites.

Keywords: business strategies; channel management marketing; internet; world wide web; promotions; Martin Fishbein; multi-attribute models; customers; shopping centres; lifestyle retailing; online shopping; consumer needs; life-style websites; retail attributes; communication; International Council of Shopping Centers; ICSC; shopping malls; tenant mix; centre events; location; car parking; car parks; safety; United States; USA; electronic marketing; e-marketing; electronic retailing; e-retailing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEMR.2010.032872

International Journal of Electronic Marketing and Retailing, 2010 Vol.3 No.2, pp.156 - 173

Published online: 26 Apr 2010 *

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