The effects of physical environment design on the dimensions of emotional well-being: a qualitative study from the perspective of design and retail managers

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to use place identity theory to examine the concept of physical environment design (PED) and its effects on consumers’ emotional well-being (EWB) dimensions such as sensorium, behaviour and happiness. Design/methodology/approach The authors used a qualitative approach. Thirty interviews were conducted among participants drawn from the city of London, which is one of the flourishing and world’s most famous international trade centre, providing paramount access to the global market. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. Findings The findings suggest that PED is defined precisely using the terms like atmosphere, appealing, attractive, impressing, inviting, ambient, compelling and design cues. The findings also suggest that PED has a positive effect on consumers’ sensorium, behaviour and happiness. However, these effects are lower when the retail stores have unwelcoming themes than when they have mesmerising PED. The different names can also be advantageous, specifically when online shopping dominates today’s retail industry. The findings also illustrate that the theoretical model used in this study is valid and suggest that PED has positive effects on consumers’ sensorium, behaviour and happiness. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, while other authors tried to identify the effect of PED on consumers buying behaviour, this study is the first one to show how PED effects consumers’ sensorium, behaviour and happiness. The results of personal interviews highlight the importance of design elements and a gap in the application of novel elements to improve consumers’ sensorium, behaviour and happiness.

Antecedents and consequences of physical environment design in international retail stores

“…Analysis showed that only limited moderating effects of these characteristics were present, but overall the associations between PED and EWB were independent of age and gender. However, all the consumers had their own personalised store experiences on the basis of their understanding and social background (Khaneja et al , 2022).…”

“…The current paper explains that EWB is highly influenced by PED of the retail stores. Culminating on the importance of EWB in retail stores, with articulation on the significance for managers of acknowledging consumers’ emotional responses to certain behaviours (Khaneja et al , 2022), this study provides a rubric with new benchmarks that customers might perceive during their visit to the retail stores (Pantano et al , 2022). The work contributes to the academic body of knowledge on PED by justifying its dimensions: ambience, artefacts and spatiality.…”

Method of marketing products through Sales promotion to increase sales in a retail Mype

“…En [16] estudio utilizó la teoría de la identidad del lugar para del entorno físico (PED) y sus efectos en las dimensiones del bienestar emocional de los consumidores (EWB), como el sensorio, el comportamiento y la felicidad. Los autores utilizaron un enfoque cualitativo, se realizó treinta entrevistas entre los participantes de la ciudad de Londres y los datos fueron analizados mediante análisis temático.…”