Emerging economies across the globe have observed drastic changes in consumer purchasing behavior in the last three decades. This has been attributed to rapid globalization, coupled with technological advancement that has led to consumer affinity towards foreign brands. In this paper an attempt has been made to understand this affinity towards foreign brands across product categories. We used the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process to evaluate the factors that influence foreign product purchasing behavior among Indian consumers. A set of five important influencing factors were identified and responses from over 100 Indian consumers were collected across five product categories (automobiles, home appliances, apparel, cosmetics and watches). It was found that for apparel, watches and cosmetics, perceived quality of the brand/product was the most valued attribute. Whereas, for home appliances the country of origin mattered the most, and for watches perceived quality as well as country of manufacture were equally important. The findings of this study will help shape marketing strategies for foreign brands trying to make inroads or gain market share in emerging markets like India

Decades post 1990 have seen rapid globalisation and technological advancement in the field of e-commerce, exposing consumers in emerging economies to an earlier unavailable wider range of foreign products and brands. Although the preference for both foreign and domestic products largely depends on consumer biases, studies show that shared information can influence consumer decision-making. This study aims to investigate the Indian consumers’ intentions towards foreign brands for apparel products. Using the theoretical foundation of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and Social Exchange Theory (SET), the collected primary survey of 204 Indian consumers across a single product category (apparel) was analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The study determined that both “product reviews” and “informal word-of-mouth” discussions have a positive and significant impact on consumer’s preference towards foreign brands. Further, the quality of information shared also plays a significant role in foreign brand preference. We also found evidence that an increase in income positively influences behaviour, however, the level of education has a negative influence. The findings of the study might serve as a roadmap for any foreign apparel brand looking to establish itself in an emerging market like India.

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