Tourists’ Souvenir Purchase Behavior and Retailers’ Awareness of Tourists’ Purchase Behavior in the Southwest

Abstract

The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) determine retailers’ awareness of tourists’ souvenir purchase behavior and (b) provide guidelines for retailers concerning the souvenir purchase behavior of tourists in the southwestern United States. Two random samples were used, tourists (n = 398) and retailers (n = 307). Printed questionnaires included demographic questions respective to each sample and Likert-like scales (Souvenir Merchandise Assortment, Merchandise Selection Factors, Store Attributes). Data were obtained through a modified Salant and Dillman (1994) procedure and analyzed with AnswerTree® software. Retailers were somewhat aware of the souvenir purchase behavior of tourists when consideration was given to souvenir assortment, merchandise selection factors, and store attributes. Tourists wanted retailers to (a) carry souvenir assortments that included local foods and fine jewelry, (b) consider souvenir selection factors such as craftsperson’s reputation and motif or design of place visited, and (c) not emphasize store location in a high pedestrian traffic area. Implications for retailers to satisfy tourists in souvenir purchases are indicated.

A study of domestic honeymoon tourism in Turkey

“…As tourists generally spend more on shopping than food, lodging and entertainment (Swanson & Horridge, 2002), the expenditures comprise almost one-third of the total travel costs (Wilkins, 2011). Zauberman, Ratner and Kim (2009) report that people often acquire objects associated with their special experiences to preserve their most meaningful memories.…”

Travel motivations as souvenir purchase indicators

“…Customers make purchase decisions based on the composite value they attach to various product attributes (Swanson & Horridge, 2002). Perceived product attributes affect the attitude of the consumer towards merchandise (DelVecchio, 2001).…”

“…A number of empirical studies have sought to explore souvenirs. Of these, some research programs have explored: meaning of souvenirs (Gordon, 1986;Shenhav-Keller, 1993); souvenir purchasers (Anderson & Littrell, 1995Combrink & Swanson, 2000;Littrell et al, 1994); authenticity and souvenirs (Asplet & Cooper, 2000;Blundell, 1993;Littrell, Anderson, & Brown, 1993); tourist and retailer perceptions (Swanson & Horridge, 2002, 2004; and purchase intentions (Kim & Littrell, 1999Yu & Littrell, 2003). Tourist motivations have also been studied extensively in the literature (Bansal & Eiselt, 2004;Crompton, 1979;Dann, 1981;Fodness, 1994;Hanqin & Lam, 1999;Iso-Ahola, 1982;Josiam, Mattson, & Sullivan, 2004;Kozak, 2002;Nicholson & Pearce, 2001;Oh, Uysal, & Weaver, 1995;Uysal & Jurowski, 1994).…”

Analysis of Factors Affecting Purchase Intentions for Fashion Cultural Products

“…Thus, cultural products that are region-specific can have a competitive advantage (Pugh & Wood, 2004). There is a growing and substantial literature on the significance of cultural products and their impact on local economies (Kim & Littrell, 1999, 2001Lee & Littrell, 2003Swanson & Horridge, 2002Xie et al, 2012;Wilkins, 2011).…”