STUDY METHODOLOGY: RESEARCH PROCESS AND METHODOLOGY OVERVIEW
Through 10 75-minute interviews, employing motivational research’s laddering technique,29 we explored consumers’ shopping process and decision-making criteria. The laddering portion of the interview focused on the shopping-venue decision criteria, identifying the venue attributes of importance, benefits derived, instrumental needs met, and underlying terminal values driving the purchase venue decision. The interviewees represented six different states,i spanned three generations (three Baby Boomers, three Generation Xers, and four Millennials), and were a mix of 60 percent (n=6) females and 40 percent (n=4) males. In total, the 10 respondents discussed 80 different products purchased (range: 4–12 products per respondent) as well as more than 50 different shopping venues. Figure 8 summarizes the product categories for the three primary products discussed per respondent.
Graphic: Deloitte University Press | DUPress.com
Figure 8. Product categories representing primary three products discussed
01234 Number of mentions 5 6789
Books 1
Sporting goods 1
Services: Mobile carrier 1
Furniture 2
Small household items (lightbulbs, water bottle)
2
Luggage 2
Shoes 2
Apparel (wedding) 3
Electronics and technology 3
Fashion accessories (jewelry/purse) 5
Apparel (general)