Search

Internet-of-Things technologies may help luxury companies deliver their offerings in a different way. However, their actual effects on consumers remain hazy. This paper sheds light on the impact that consumers' openness to technological innovations may have on perceived usefulness of Voice Assistants (VAs) in the context of luxury tourism. In two studies using luxury yachts and luxury hotels as research settings, we operationalised consumers' openness to technological innovations as risk propensity and openness to change, respectively, and examined their impact on consumers' perceived usefulness of VAs, considering the moderating role of status consumption orientation. Results showed that a greater level of openness to technological innovations leads consumers to perceive VAs as more useful, and this effect is mitigated when consumers exhibit greater status consumption orientation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite the prevalence of luxury brand extension in the service industry, customers tend to be skeptical of the value of the extended brand. This study aims to investigate whether a parent luxury service brand significantly alters customers' predicted quality, identity and attitude toward the extended brand. Design/methodology/approach: This study uses partial least squares structural equation modeling to examine the proposed hypotheses in a developing country. Findings: The results show that the parent brand's brand distinctiveness positively and significantly signals the identity and quality of the extended brand. The model also identifies the mediating effects of quality as it signals the relationship between customers' perception of the parent brand and attitude toward the extended service brand. As expected, as the quality of the extended brand improves, so does attitude toward the extended hotel brand. By contrast, the perceived identity of the extended brand does not significantly increase support for a positive attitude toward the extended brand. Originality/value: This study contributes to the existing consumer marketing literature by suggesting future research directions and brand extension strategies for luxury hotel brand companies in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many companies such as Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors have had success selling both high-end luxury and middle-end 'masstige' brands, as consumers seek luxury labels at affordable prices. There have been studies into consumption of both luxury and masstige products, however, few inquiries have attempted to understand this phenomenon through interviews with luxury company executives. This study aimed to understand luxury executives' perceptions of 'pure luxury' versus masstige in order to update current literature and theoretical frameworks. Interviews were conducted with nine (n = 9) luxury executives. Major themes of balance and cohesion and value emerged; sub-themes and minor themes are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Short videos have become an important driving force of social media. This study aims to understand how the perception of luxury goods, their associated brand experience and purchase intentions are affected by hedonism and social media influencers via social media videos. This research collects 383 samples from Mainland China using an online survey. The data are analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results indicate hedonism and influencer leadership directly and indirectly influence purchase intentions. The results show that more hedonic consumers or consumers who believe in influencers are more likely to have a positive first-class flight experience. This study also confirmed that brand experience and perceived luxury provide a mediating role on virtual world content. The findings offer new knowledge to researchers and industry in the luxury tourism context. Finally, theoretical and managerial implications are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Luxury consumption studies have largely focused on tangible products with less attention paid to experiential services. However, consumers are becoming increasingly interested in the luxury services. Taking a mental imagery perspective, this study delineates the role of sensory integration in luxury hotel experiences among Chinese with Zaltman metaphor elicitation technique (ZMET). We engaged Chinese informants in a multi-sensory exploration of their experiences, soliciting abundant verbal and non-verbal data, and analyzed how experiences emerge from their multisensory processing of hotel offerings. Findings conceptualize experiential luxury consumption from a multisensory perspective and recommend how luxury hotels should better leverage their market potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rising expectations in society for moral brand behavior have increased the relevance of brand purpose communication on social media. Nevertheless, there is a lack of fundamental research in this area. This study therefore examines brand purpose communication on Twitter, particularly with regard to the values addressed and the communication strategies implemented by corporate brands as well as the corresponding user engagement. A quantitative content analysis of 30 corporate Twitter accounts from 10 industries (n = 6000) shows that brand purpose is communicated across all brands and industries. The values of solidarity and sustainability are in the foreground. In an industry comparison, the FMCG industry and the financial services industry communicate most frequently on brand purpose issues, whereas the media industry and the luxury goods industry do so only marginally. Corporate brands predominantly use information strategy to communicate their brand purpose, although the involvement strategy leads to more engagement. Overall, the analysis shows that the potential of brand purpose communication is not being exploited to the same extent in all industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The luxury goods industry has always been a highly anticipated area in the market. With the development of the global economy and the improvement of people's living standards, the luxury goods market has also flourished. However, overall, according to the quarterly or fiscal annual reports released by major luxury brands in the luxury industry in recent years, their common characteristic is the sharp decline in revenue in China; from a regional perspective, the decline in sales in China has the greatest impact on the decreasing total revenue of brands over the years. Such as STUART WEITZMAN, the representative head luxury women's shoe brand, total direct sales, which include stores and e-commerce, in FY23 both declined by as much as 24% compared to FY22. This article takes STUART WEITZMAN as an example to study the specific reasons for the decline in sales volume of luxury in China market in recent years compared to previous years. This study uses the market mix model to analyze STUART WEITZMAN 's marketing strategy in the market, Using the PEST model to analyze the macro environment, Use SWOT to analyze the internal and external environment of STUART WEITZMAN. Research has found that the main reason for the decline in luxury goods sales in recent years is luxury brands have been raising prices, and consumers are psychologically unable to accept the increasing premium. The middle class is more inclined to consider practicality and cost-effectiveness, pursuing the ultimate cost-effectiveness. Secondly, consumers have more other options. In addition to luxury brands, high-end niche brands, designer brands, high-end custom brands, and traditional Chinese brands have also begun to be favored by luxury consumers. Finally, in the post pandemic era, outbound tourism has resumed, and consumers can purchase the same products overseas at more favorable prices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to evaluate and structure the basic heuristics consumers use in evaluating word-of-mouth (WOM) about luxury hotel brands while analyzing the impact of deception in online consumer reviews. Design/methodology/approach: The research used a two-study mixed-methods approach, using interpersonal deception theory and social proof theory as lenses to conduct our analysis. For the first study, a qualitative conceptual mapping analysis was conducted, examining online consumer reviews to identify key concepts and their relationships in the context of luxury hotel brands. In the second study, the themes were further examined using a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to analyze their causal complexity and association between variables to determine how they influence the perceived helpfulness of online reviews for luxury hotel brands. Findings: The results underline the importance of functional, objective variables, such as the number of reviews and stars, as social proof heuristics and other factors, including clout, authenticity and analytic tone, as interpersonal communication heuristics. Therefore, consumers use a combination of social and interpersonal communication heuristics to extract information from reviews and manage deception risk. Research limitations/implications: The paper contributes to the consumer–brand relationship literature by assessing the heuristics consumers use in evaluating online reviews and provides additional information for research in online reputation management. Practical implications: This study's results can help marketing practitioners and brand managers manage their online reputations better. It can also aid managers in improving their messaging on hotel websites to entice consumers to complete bookings. Heuristics play an essential role in such messaging and understanding them can help marketers appeal directly to their target market. Originality/value: This study contributes to the literature on consumer–brand relationships by providing a framework of heuristics that consumers use when evaluating luxury service brands and contributes to WOM and online reputation research by highlighting factors that may make online reviews more helpful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theoretical background: The area of interest undertaken in this publication is the impact of location factors on the high turnover of luxury goods sales. The selection of these factors was based on the results of previous studies available in the literature. However, they mainly concern the location of points of sale of each type of goods. Therefore, it was necessary to get acquainted with the specifics of trading in luxury goods and choose those among the factors that are associated with it. Purpose of the article: The analysis covered not only the impact of the factors themselves, but also the links between them and the differentiation of the impact depending on the size of the agglomeration in which the places of sale are located. Research methods: For this purpose, an in-depth statistical analysis and the grey set theory were used. The use of the theory of grey set is important in the case of the research carried out due to the ambiguity of the occurrence of all factors in relation to the sample analyzed. Some of them do not apply to the entire study population. Main findings: The obtained results show the overall importance of location factors for achieving the expected level of turnover, as well as value them within the adopted categories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The objective of this investigation is to examine the correlation between green transformational leadership (GTL) and organizational green innovation (GI) by employing a mediation model. Drawing upon the social cognitive theory and natural resource-based view, the present study explores the role of green creativity (GC) as a mediating variable in the relationship between GTL and GI in the hotel industry. Design/methodology/approach: The research was conducted in Italian luxury hotels to assess the efficacy of our conceptual framework among workers in the hospitality industry. The study utilized a three-wave 2-week time-lagged design (N = 303). In addition, the study also intends to apply the Partial Least Squares – Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) and the fuzzy qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to have distinctive discernment into model rapport. Findings: The results of the study indicate the linkage between GTL and GI. Furthermore, the study also found the partial mediation of GC of employees. The results show numerous combinations using fsQCA that can be utilized to increase green performance (GP). Originality/value: The study helps the hotel industry maximize its performance by unravelling irregular relationships. Therefore, it contributes by explaining previously unexplored factors and elucidating causal recipes to build a higher GP base through GTL, GC and GI. The research findings hold significant implications for comprehending the effects of GTL on organizational GI as well as its influence on GP. The limitations of the study are discussed for avenues of future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Social Sciences Studies is the property of Social Sciences Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

When consumers shop in luxury boutiques, high-end shopping malls, and even online, they increasingly encounter luxury products alongside immersive art displays. Exploring this novel phenomenon with both field studies and lab experiments, the current research shows that experiencing art reduces consumer desire for luxury goods. Three boundary conditions have been identified. The effect does not materialize in contexts in which the work of art is not experienced as art per se , such as when the work of art appears as decoration on the product or packaging or is processed analytically rather than naturally, and when luxury goods are not seen as status goods. We propose that experiencing art induces a mental state of self-transcendence, which undermines consumers' status-seeking motive and consequently decreases their desire for luxury goods. This research contributes to the literature on consumer esthetics and has important practical applications for luxury businesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humanitarian logics enable the unfree labour of racialized capitalism by making visible the beneficence of those who profit. Understanding the structure of feelings undergirding these imaginaries will help us to recognize why capitalism feels so right. This paper theorizes from the case of the Made in Prison company selling luxury clothing under the brand, Carcel, to explain how linking consumption with 'helping' remakes exploitation into gendered solidarity. Combining ethnography in Peru, political economy and narrative analysis, the paper explores how prison-produced fashion is made 'ethical' through intimization of the relationship between feminine labourers and their 'sister' consumers. The paper does two things: (1) it charts how the imaginary of commodifying compassion works through three movements around the company, products and workers of Carcel and (2) it argues that love and sisterly solidarity connect the company, workers and products in ways that are then commodified for profit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Luxury brands in various industries are one of the most attractive and profitable segments of the market, which, in addition to economic advantage, helps to develop the quality level of those products in the world by creating competition among luxury brands. Meanwhile, marketers and brand owners are constantly creating loyalty programs for their fanatical consumers. The purpose of this research is to identify the mental pattern of fanatical consumers towards luxury brands. The current research is of mixed exploratory type and was done using the Q method. The statistical population of this research is the customers of luxury watch brands. A sufficient number of statistical samples were asked based on theoretical saturation in a purposeful and accessible manner, six experts familiar with the subject were interviewed, and in a small part, 38 fanatical customers were interviewed to sort sample expressions into They were selected purposefully. The mental model of obsessive consumers included four types: devoted, deceitful, pleasure-seeking, and dysfunctional, which explained about 79% of the variance of the views. Fanatic and dedicated consumers were the dominant model of this research. Finally, implementation suggestions were presented for each of the mental patterns of fanatical consumers for the use of luxury brand owners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the relevance that the social network TikTok has acquired among the new generations, we selected the luxury companies present in the Best Global Brands 2023 report, we verified their official presence on TikTok, we carried out a comparative study of the profiles in relation to a series of key variables, such as the number of followers, the publications made, the likes obtained; and finally, we carried out an analysis of the most shared contents in order to identify the characteristics of those that obtain the best results and their possible influence on current visual culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reach new clientele, luxury brands make strategic extensions into new product categories with more accessible prices resulting in less selective retail strategies that also feature stores not directly operated by the luxury brands (non-DOS). Entering such stores entails challenges as the luxury brand steps outside its luxury environment and loses direct control of the salesperson that interacts with the end consumer. Furthermore, in a less selective non-DOS, a luxury brand's sales may get impacted due to image discrepancies in the salesperson's mind, while the luxury brand competes for the salesperson's attention. This study proposes several motivational levers that direct the efforts of a salesperson in a less selective non-DOS: the salesperson's perceived fit between the brand and the store, the level of identification with the luxury brand, and luxury sensitivity. With empirical support in a unique dataset, the authors show that a salesperson's perceived fit increases effort allocation for a luxury brand, and luxury brand identification strengthens it. Counterintuitively, the results show that a salesperson with a high level of luxury sensitivity is not predisposed to sell luxury outside a luxury environment. Finally, suggestions for performance implications are offered to luxury brand managers and retailers selling luxury brands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims examining the consequences of customers' distrust toward luxury service providers (i.e. attitude, trust, and willingness to pay). The mediating role of attitude and trust is tested to understand customer behaviors in the luxury hotel context. The role of demographic characteristics on customers' skepticism and CSR behavior is investigated. Thus, this research extends previous CSR studies by 1) examining the role of customers' skepticism in the luxury service context, 2) identifying the mediating role of attitude and trust in the relationship between skepticism and its outcomes, and 3) highlighting the individual differences in relation to their CSR behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on the associative network memory theory (ANMT), this study aims to investigate the impact of social media marketing activities (SMMAs) on brand equity (BE) of luxury brands through the mediating role of brand image (BI) and the moderating role of word of mouth (WOM). This study employs a cross-sectional design to collect data from online adult users of Weibo in China. Data are analyzed in SmartPLS (v. 4.0.8.4) to evaluate the measurement model and the structural model. Findings of this study reveal that SMMAs have a significant positive impact on BI and BE. Besides, BI partially mediates the relationship between SMMAs and BE. Moreover, WOM moderates the association between SMMAs and BE such that the association is more potent at high levels of WOM and vice versa. This is one of the few studies that investigate the role of SMMAs on BE in the context of luxury brands, mediated by BI. Also, this is the first study that explores the moderating role of WOM in the relationship between SMMAs and BE through the mediating role of BI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Luxury brands derive their goodwill from the high-class exclusivity and first-rate quality signified in their trademarks. The Trademark Act of 1946, commonly known as the Lanham Act, grants trademark holders the right to control use of their mark. However, under common law, the first sale doctrine restricts trademark protection after holders authorize the initial sale of their trademarkedproduct. Such limitation particularly jeopardizes the luxury industry as trademark holders ultimately bear the loss of goodwill when counterfeit luxury goods enter the market due to the negligence of resellers. This Comment illustrates how blockchain authentication olfers atl luxury industry participants-the brands, the consumers, and the resellers-added protection under the material difference and quality control exceptions to the first sale doctrine of trademark law. Furthermore, this Comment proposes codification of the "first resale doctrine to narrow the scope of the jirst sale doctrine defense to trademark infringement for the purpose of fostering competition and maintaining quality in the luxury industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite the extensive stimulus–organism–response (SOR) literature, little attention has been paid to the role of marketing activity as a key environmental stimulus, and there is a dearth of research examining the interplay between emotions and cognition on consumer behaviour, as well as the sequential effects of emotions on cognition. To address these gaps, this study aims to develop a revised SOR model by incorporating Kahneman's fast and slow thinking theory to investigate the impulse buying of affordable luxury fashion (ALF). Design/methodology/approach: The authors use outlet stores at Bicester village (BV) in England as the research context for ALF shopping. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to analyse a survey sample of 633 consumers with a BV shopping experience. Findings: The authors find that impulse buying of ALF arises from the interplay of emotional and cognitive factors, as well as a sequential and dual process involving in-store stimuli affecting on-site emotion and in-store browsing. Research limitations/implications: This study reveals that brand connection has a significant and negative influence on the relationship between on-site emotion and in-store browsing, advancing the SOR paradigm and reflecting the interactive effect of human emotion and reasoning on the impulse buying of ALF items. Practical implications: Insights into consumers' impulse buying offer practical implications for luxury brand management, specifically for ALF outlet retailers and store managers. Originality/value: The results suggest a robust sequential effect of on-site emotion towards in-store browsing on impulse buying, providing updated empirical support for Kahneman's theory of System 1 and System 2 thinking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show theoretically that when high‐quality, low‐price counterfeits exist and are visibly indistinguishable from authentic products, the status‐seeking wealthy may embrace a "less is more" purchasing strategy or what we refer to as the minimalist luxury strategy, to signal their status. These are the wealthy who have a high disutility of shopping for counterfeits. Specifically, in our model, only buyers know the authenticity of their own purchases. Because of this information asymmetry, these wealthy buyers may purposefully restrain from consuming luxury goods as a sacrifice of functional utility to stand out, a signaling strategy that the rest are not willing to mimic. Thus, "less" functional utility allows those status‐seeking wealthy to enjoy "more" symbolic utility that the society bestows on their perceived status. This minimalist luxury strategy is in sharp contrast to Veblen's conspicuous consumption strategy, as well as to the maximalist luxury strategy proposed by Liu et al. We derive this minimalist luxury equilibrium, discuss how signaling in our context can differ from that of Veblen and Liu et al., and explore its managerial implications for the luxury goods industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to carry out a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to identify, synthesize and incorporate existing studies on the tourism industry, envisioning and directing future studies and trends in luxury tourism. The study analyses 340 Web of Science scientific articles published between 1993–2022. Four clusters were identified: "Contribution of Luxury Tourism to the development"; "Luxury Shopping in Tourism"; "Demand behaviour in luxury tourism," and "Digital Transformation in luxury tourism." Existing publications can be grouped into three phases. In the first phase, luxury tourism was studied from a macro and sectoral perspective; in the second phase, they focused on the behavior of the demand for luxury tourism and in the third phase on the transformation of the luxury tourism industry induced by digital transformation, economic and pandemic crises, demographic changes and guidelines for sustainability. This study resulted in a set of implications for the development of cross-community collaborative luxury tourism, aimed at new target groups of luxury consumers, in harmony with strategies of sustainability, digitalization and well-being of luxury consumers. In addition to being an important tool for policymakers and managers in the luxury tourism industry, it identifies new emerging issues in this sector for academics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The tension between individual and collective well-being is at the core of the macromarketing perspective, and transformative luxury research (TLR) has recently begun to consider this in the context of luxury consumption. This conceptual paper reviews TLR in the setting of the tourism and hospitality industry. Design/methodology/approach: The study is based on a literature review in the field of marketing and tourism management. Findings: The authors propose a TLR–management model (MM), which identifies the link between TLR and well-being, as well as four elements that are important for the success of luxury innovations: risk; trust; ethics and ambidextrous management practices. Further studies will be able to apply this conceptual model in diverse luxury markets to develop more industry-specific versions of it but should always maintain the model's focus on individual and collective well-being to ensure that it supports the growth of transformative luxury in the future. Practical implications: The research has highlighted the benefits (individual and community well-being) of transformative research in the field of luxury products and services, but also the requirements (taking risk, trust and ambidextrous management) to achieve this transformative stage. Originality/value: The study provides a guideline to be followed by the luxury yachting industry to reach its transformative potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify how the socio-economic trends caused by the economic deregulation of the last four decades have led to a high-net-worth strata of individuals and families that conspicuously consumes luxury items and are the main customers in the luxury yacht market. Design/methodology/approach: A selected cross-section review and discussion of relevant publications and theories within the field of tourism, social sciences, business and economic history are synthesised with relevant data to outline the factors leading to socio-economic change and conspicuous consumption. Findings: This paper advocates for the synthesis of scholarly techniques found within the discipline of Business History to illuminate the development of a luxury yachting industry over the past four decades. Using the varieties of capitalism approach this paper demonstrates that the local characteristics of the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) in combination with the international globalisation and trade deregulation since 1980 has led to a new super wealthy class that engages in conspicuous consumption. Using a schema based on critical juncture theory, light has been shed on the specific factors underpinning the demand for luxury yachts as part of this conspicuous consumption. Originality/value: This paper adds a new set of methodologies and theoretical tools to the student of luxury tourism that embed the practice within the context of socio-economic changes brought forth by economic globalisation since 1979, opening up new avenues of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: As a contribution to current knowledge of luxury yachting, this study applies a theoretical discussion to explain how gratification, social motives, financial risk and status quo interact to predict satisfaction and word-of-mouth intentions among luxury yachting travelers. Additionally, gender moderating effects on antecedent factors of satisfaction were examined. Design/methodology/approach: A questionnaire was distributed in the United Arab Emirates, and 228 valid questionnaires were received which were analyzed with AMOS structural equation modeling. Findings: The results of this study were analyzed using structural equation modeling. According to the results, factors such as gratification, social motives, and the status quo are significantly associated with satisfaction. The degree of satisfaction is directly related to the likelihood of spreading word of mouth. Result differences between males and females can be explained by moderating effects. Originality/value: This is one of the first studies that examine the antecedents of luxury yachting to satisfaction and word of mouth impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates luxury tourists' outbound travel motivation and how it influences their tourism destination selection, satisfaction, and future revisit intention. Two hundred and fifty-six (256) respondents participated in this study. The online survey link was shared using social media platforms where the snowball technique spread the questionnaire links to the respondents that fit the study's inclusion. Partial-Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to test and confirm the study model and hypotheses. Combining two theoretical underpinnings, Maslow's theory of motivation and push and pull motivations theory, this study's findings depict two major antecedents of luxury-driven experiences: social value and destination uniqueness. The results demonstrate that luxury tourists' push and pull travel motivation predictors emerged as significant antecedents for their destination satisfaction and willingness to return. Furthermore, the mediating effect confirms that satisfaction plays a significant mediating role in the pull motivation and revisit intention interrelationship. The findings of this study provide empirical support for understanding the psychological aspects of luxury travellers while offering insights for destination managers to develop niche marketing strategies for attracting luxury tourists. The present research also provides luxury tourism destination managers with a clear comprehension of the underlying mechanism of the luxury tourists' loyalty generation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the recent years, there has been a steady increase in the number of customers in luxury market. Such a substantial rise has gained much attention from both academics and industry experts seeking to better understand the meanings and factors involved in luxury consumption. Therefore, this special section aims to enrich and update the existing body of knowledge on luxury product and brand purchasing behaviour. We have encouraged the contributors to forward both conceptual and empirical papers reflecting current concerns in the field of luxury shopping, more specifically in luxury product and brand purchasing behaviour. In the end, this special section includes three papers on external store environment, meaning of luxury, and luxury brand fashion. Certainly, additional references are necessary for better understanding the meaning and contents of luxury consumption and main drivers behind it. The special section introduces the reader to some of these important references but also notes that there is still avenue for more studies in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study applies an environmental psychology approach to understand the impact on consumer emotional reactions and shopping outcomes of store environmental perceptions, within a new luxury retail setting. Within this mass-market, highly hedonistic retail context, the study here proposes an extended stimulus-organism-response model. The study examines linkages between consumers' perceptions of retail cues and their emotions and behavioural intentions. Further, the study considers such relationships in different retail settings – shopping malls and urban centres. Results suggest that, in diverse retail settings, consumer emotional reactions to environmental cues may vary, suggesting, in turn, that consumer selection of store settings is likely to be driven by diverse consumer expectations and needs. The study closes with theoretical and managerial implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research is to examine how the COVID‐19 pandemic has impacted the luxury goods industry. The authors hypothesize that pandemic threats drive consumers toward luxury consumption to increase their perceptions of control. The article reports results of three experimental studies conducted in the United States. In Study 1, after participants read an article about COVID‐19, they respond favorably to an advertisement for a luxury brand. The comparative control participants read an article about a tofu dish and respond less favorably to the luxury advertisement. Study 2 provides further evidence that perceived control acts as a mediator, while ruling out alternative explanations. Study 3 indicates that threat evokes luxury preferences only when advertisements for both luxury and nonluxury products use abstract messages, as opposed to concrete messages. The findings provide practical insights showing that the most effective advertising strategy for luxury brand managers is to use abstract rather than concrete messages for targeting consumers who feel highly threatened by COVID‐19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building on a model of the biological, socio-psychological, and structural drivers of luxury consumption, this article explores when and why luxury consumers consider ethics in their luxury consumption practices, to identify differences in their ethical and ethical luxury consumption. The variables proposed to explain these differences derive from biological, socio-psychological, and structural drivers, namely, consumers' (1) age, (2) ethicality, (3) human values, (4) motivations, and (5) assumptive world. A cluster analysis of a sample of 706 U.S. adult luxury consumers reveals five segments of luxury consumers, each reflecting a specific persona, that engage in both ethical and ethical luxury consumption to varying extents. The five segments differ in the extent to which they exhibit features related to four discriminant functions (immorality, ego-orientation, and strain; altruistic-orientation; conservation, in control, and positivity; and youth and luxury savvy), which vary across the biological, socio-psychological, and structural drivers. The findings thus indicate which segments of luxury consumers are most relevant for luxury firms pursuing a long-term sustainability agenda and suggest practical actions to reach those goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global sharing economy trend emphasises consumers' environmentally conscious lifestyle manifested in the contemporary marketplace, such as digital resale platforms. This paper aims to reveal the Gen Z consumers' purchase intention of brand new or second-hand luxury goods via various retail channels. This study purposively adopted the sample of middle-class Gen Z consumers to forecast the future of the evolving luxury resale industry. We obtained 452 usable responses using an online survey. Second-hand luxury goods owners exhibited greater purchase intention of the luxury goods via digital resale platforms than non-luxury owners and brand-new luxury owners. The findings offer empirical evidence to academia to broaden the perspective on personal luxury goods consumption behaviour. The present study also contributes to the brand-new and second-hand luxury goods industry to better target Gen Z consumers with preferred retail platforms, which also supports the luxury brand managers' decision-making on retail channel optimisation and brand management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]