exploring pre-loved: consumers’ perception of the pre-loved concept in a traditional clothing store environment
2024 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (One Year)), 10 credits / 15 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
The aim of this thesis is to explore consumer perceptions regarding the emerging trend among traditional clothing stores in Gothenburg, Sweden, where a section of their retail space is dedicated to reselling pre-loved clothing. Additionally, it seeks to investigate the factors influencing consumers' preference for these sections over conventional thrift stores. Employing a qualitative approach, the study conducts 10 shop-along sessions comprising semi-structured interviews and unstructured observations in four traditional clothing stores, each featuring an integrated pre-loved section. The theoretical framework encompasses consumer value theory, supplemented by the Means-End Chain Theory, which is utilized to analyze the findings. Results reveal a positive response from participants toward pre-loved initiatives, indicating an overall favorable perception. Findings show that consumers perceive pre-loved initiatives as multiple valuable, including economic savings, functional quality, social value, and an enjoyable, empowering, and satisfying experience. Furthermore, various factors such as curated pieces, well-organized sections, unique garments, and diverse assortments influence consumers, leading to different consequences and values such as feeling efficient, self-fulfillment/self-expression, and enjoyment, thus favoring pre-loved initiatives over conventional thrift stores. In conclusion, the study sheds light on the growing preference for pre-loved initiatives among consumers in traditional clothing stores.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2024.
Keywords [en]
Pre-loved, Second-hand, Consumer Perception, Customer Perception, Traditional Clothing Store, Consumer Value Theory, Means-End Chain Theory, Shop-Along, Conventional Thrift Store
National Category
Social Sciences
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hb:diva-32232OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hb-32232DiVA, id: diva2:1880974
2024-07-022024-07-022024-07-02Bibliographically approved