Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine motivational research (MR) – the most maligned and misunderstood branch of market research. It argues that MR has been too easily dismissed by researchers. In so doing, they have ignored a potentially significant insight into the post World...

Purpose – Focusing upon British retailing, the purpose of this paper is to review what is known both about the importance of different supply networks at different points in time, and about the attitudes of different groups of consumers towards these networks. Design/methodology/approach –...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the acquisition of clothing through informal trading channels by provincial working‐class consumers between 1800 and 1850. It argues that the informal trade fulfilled various functions for such consumers, both as buyers and sellers: clothing...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the merchandise offered and bought at late‐nineteenth‐century English jumble sales, to understand the place of jumble sales and used goods in the domestic budgets of the poors, and to investigate the reasons for purchasing from jumble...

Purpose – Conspicuous consumption refers to the competitive and extravagant consumption practices and leisure activities that aim to indicate membership to a superior social class. Studies examining the symbolic role of luxury brands and status symbols, and the importance of interpersonal...

Purpose – This article aims to give a short overview of the relationship between marketing and feminism. Design/methodology/approach – The analysis is based on a literature review of key studies contributing to the debates on whether marketing activities exploit or empower women. Findings...

Purpose – This study seeks to further understanding of spectator consumption practices by applying modern consumer theory in a much different historical context: the gladiator games during the time of the Roman Empire. The objective is to validate modern ideas of consumption practices with...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show how 1940s and 1950s motivation research laid the foundations of present day consumer behavior as a discipline. Design/methodology/approach – This research uses standard historical methodology – heavy reliance upon primary sources, avoidance of...

Purpose – This paper aims to propose a method for kansei value creation to be actually reflected in consumer behavior. Design/methodology/approach – Looking at business from a kansei (emotional/sensitive) value creation perspective, it is realized that currently in most cases value creation...

Purpose – The sports industry is one of the fastest growing business sectors in the world today and its primary source of revenue is derived from fans. Yet, little is known about fans' allocation of time, effort, and/or financial expenditures in regard to the sports they care so desperately...