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Alliteration Alters: Phonetic Overlap in Promotional Messages Influences Evaluations and Choice

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  • Davis, Derick F.
  • Bagchi, Rajesh
  • Block, Lauren G.

Abstract

Alliteration is the repetition of initial word sounds across two or more proximal words. Alliterative pricing presentations consisting of words (brand or product names) and numbers (price and quantity information) can influence evaluations, choice, and purchase behavior. We provide evidence that alliterative pricing promotions can positively influence deal evaluations and product choice; for example, “Two T-shirts $21” elicits more positive evaluations from consumers than does “Two T-shirts $19,” even though the latter pricing presentation is objectively better. We suggest phonological (word sound) overlap present in alliteration facilitates message processing, which in turn results in more positive judgments and deal evaluations and influences choice. Our findings build theory while presenting clear managerial implications for marketing communications and pricing decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Davis, Derick F. & Bagchi, Rajesh & Block, Lauren G., 2016. "Alliteration Alters: Phonetic Overlap in Promotional Messages Influences Evaluations and Choice," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 92(1), pages 1-12.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jouret:v:92:y:2016:i:1:p:1-12
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jretai.2015.06.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Katherine Farrow & Gilles Grolleau & Naoufel Mzoughi, 2018. "What in the Word! The Scope for the Effect of Word Choice on Economic Behavior," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 71(4), pages 557-580, November.
    2. Blair, Sean, 2020. "How lacking control drives fluency effects in evaluative judgment," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 97-112.
    3. Kelting, Katie & Berry, Christopher & van Horen, Femke, 2019. "The presence of copycat private labels in a product set increases consumers' choice ease when shopping with an abstract mindset," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 264-274.
    4. Iana A. Castro & Anuja Majmundar & Christine B. Williams & Barbara Baquero, 2018. "Customer Purchase Intentions and Choice in Food Retail Environments: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-19, November.

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