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Want to be seen as cool? Just say, 'cheese!'

A study by University of Arizona researcher Caleb Warren found that people perceive those who smile as more genuine and likable. In contrast, being inexpressive can make someone appear cold rather than cool. The researchers tested this theory using advertisements featuring various endorsers, including James Dean.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalJournal of Consumer Psychology·DateApr 19, 2018

Marketing study examines what types of searches click for car buyers

Researchers analyzed survey data on automobile purchases between 2002 and 2012 to compare time spent on internet sources with time spent on offline sources. The study found that those who searched more online tend to spend more time at dealerships, while consumers older than 50 spend less time searching and are less likely to be satisf...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalJournal of Interactive Marketing·DateOct 16, 2017

How much is that call worth?

A new model from the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management provides an integrated marketing-operations framework to help companies design effective service policies for their call centres. The framework links call centre capacity, service quality, and future consumer behaviour, enabling companies to tailor service levels ...

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalManufacturing & Service Operations Management·DateOct 2, 2017

Organic consumers mean business

Research from Aarhus University found that once consumers start buying organic products, they are likely to continue and increase the number of organic products on their shopping list. This is due to a phenomenon known as a behavioural spillover effect, where purchasing organic products strengthens consumers' moral identity.

SourceAarhus University·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateSep 25, 2017

Why expensive wine appears to taste better

A study found that the brain's reward center is tricked into thinking expensive wine tastes better due to its higher price. The 'marketing placebo effect' plays a role in this phenomenon, where identical products are perceived differently based on their prices.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 14, 2017

A new way out of the cycle of rejection

A study found that emotional messages are more effective in motivating people to pursue social activities again, especially for those who feel socially excluded. Emotional appeals can help counteract the cycle of rejection and isolation, making it easier for individuals to take care of themselves.

SourceSociety for Consumer Psychology·JournalJournal of Consumer Psychology·DateJun 29, 2017

When firms and customers share social responsibility, profits rise but donations can fall

A new study by researchers Minah Jung and Leif Nelson finds that when firms share social responsibility with customers, consumers are more sensitive to whether a portion of their payment goes to charity than how much. This has critical implications for the design of shared social responsibility programs.

New study finds price discounts may backfire when combined with large donations

A new study published in Marketing Science found that combining large price discounts with donations to charity can actually reduce sales, as consumers' self-image motivation outweighs their intrinsic motivation to support the charity. The study's authors suggest that marketers should proceed with caution when using these techniques.

Retail therapy for jealous partners

Researchers found that feelings of jealousy increase the desire for products that will attract someone's attention. Participants who were experiencing jealousy opted to buy eye-catching products even in public, indicating a strong motivation to regain their partner's focus.

SourceSociety for Consumer Psychology·JournalJournal of Consumer Psychology·DateJan 16, 2017

New model shows companies how to tailor call center service to different customer types

A new study provides an integrated marketing-operations framework to help companies design more effective service policies for their call centers. The framework considers the flow of customers through the call center and their subsequent behavior, allowing companies to design different service levels for various customer types.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalManufacturing & Service Operations Management·DateJan 5, 2017

Sellers 3.5 times more influential than buyers in driving e-commerce platform growth

A study published in Marketing Science journal reveals that sellers are 3.5 times more impactful than buyers in growing e-commerce platforms like Taobao.com. The findings suggest that the presence of diverse product offerings on the platform is crucial for attracting buyers, while frequent buying activity motivates sellers to join.

How social media impacts consumer spending

A study by University at Buffalo School of Management found that social media popularity, even negative posts with high engagement, significantly impacts purchases. Combining social media with traditional TV and email marketing efforts boosts customer spending and cross-buying.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateNov 18, 2016

Paper or plastic?

A recent study by Avni Shah at the University of Toronto found that paying with cash increases feelings of connection and attachment to purchases, while credit cards may lead to a decrease in emotional attachment. This phenomenon is attributed to the 'pain of payment', which varies depending on the type of payment method used.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJul 7, 2016

Junk-food junkies go healthy when rewarded

Researchers at Cornell University found that consumers who have poor eating habits benefit most from long-term reward incentives for healthy food choices. In contrast, healthy eaters are more likely to purchase less healthy items when offered price breaks.

SourceCornell University·JournalCornell Hospitality Quarterly·DateApr 28, 2016

'Conspicuous conservation' a factor in socially responsible product innovation

A new study suggests that companies are more likely to invest in developing socially responsible products when they can tap into the social status boost associated with such choices. Key findings indicate that brands have a greater incentive to innovate in mature categories where consumers are most concerned about environmental impact.

Running out of money linked to fear of death

A new study published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology found that fear of death is a significant factor in people's reluctance to invest in annuities during retirement. Researchers discovered that individuals who were asked about their own mortality were 50% less likely to choose an annuity compared to those not asked about their ...

SourceSociety for Consumer Psychology·JournalJournal of Consumer Psychology·DateMar 28, 2016

For better sales, connect with coworkers

A Michigan State University study reveals that developing strong internal relationships leads to a significant increase in sales volume. Successful salespeople leverage political skill to build connections with well-connected co-workers and extraversion helps facilitate cross-fertilization of ideas.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateNov 12, 2015

Mobile apps and online reviews influence consumer behavior

A new Iowa State University study finds that mobile app engagement directly impacts consumer purchasing behavior, leading to increased spending among customers who use interactive features. Companies must create value-driven apps to capitalize on the growing market, with ongoing monitoring and maintenance crucial for success.

SourceIowa State University·JournalJournal of Interactive Marketing·DateSep 30, 2015

The sweet smell of success

Smells trigger immediate emotional responses, and olfactory branding can supplant traditional marketing signals in settings like hotel lobbies. Over 41% of guests at ITC Sonar Luxury Hotels in Kolkata agreed that scent is a key factor in enjoying their stay.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Trade and Global Markets·DateSep 9, 2015