Past research shows that loyalty programs can generate switching costs for consumers and increase their purchase frequency. Theoretical work suggests that if switching costs are significant, firms should charge lower prices in the early periods of a program to boost market share, and increase...

Within an intense competition in the retail sector, achieving a high store equity may have been be a means to gain competitive advantage for retailers. However, their sole reliance on store attributes may not be sufficient to build a relationship with customers, as prior studies have...