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Understanding perceived retail crowding: A critical review and research agenda

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  • Mehta, Ritu

Abstract

Perceived retail crowding is an important, but under-researched construct in marketing research. It has been found to influence a number of retail outcomes. However, the limited empirical studies in this area have not just produced seemingly contradictory results, but have also used different conceptualizations of the construct. This paper provides an explanation of the construct of perceived retail crowding and reviews the empirical studies in the area so as to integrate the knowledge that may help in understanding of consumer behavior in crowded retail settings. The paper also presents directions for future research and managerial implications.

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  • Mehta, Ritu, 2013. "Understanding perceived retail crowding: A critical review and research agenda," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 20(6), pages 642-649.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:joreco:v:20:y:2013:i:6:p:642-649
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jretconser.2013.06.002
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    Cited by:

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    5. Park, Soobeen & Zhang, Shaoqing, 2019. "A pilot study of circulation layout based on perceived retail crowding," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 305-315.
    6. Marion Garaus & Udo Wagner, 2019. "Lost in the Store: Assessing the Confusion Potential of Store Environments," Schmalenbach Business Review, Springer;Schmalenbach-Gesellschaft, vol. 71(4), pages 413-441, October.
    7. Eroglu, Sevgin A. & Machleit, Karen A. & Neybert, Emma G., 2022. "Crowding in the time of COVID: Effects on rapport and shopping satisfaction," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    8. Aydinli, Aylin & Lamey, Lien & Millet, Kobe & ter Braak, Anne & Vuegen, Maya, 2021. "How Do Customers Alter Their Basket Composition When They Perceive the Retail Store to Be Crowded? An Empirical Study," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 97(2), pages 207-216.
    9. Errajaa, Karim & Hombourger-Barès, Sabrina & Audrain-Pontevia, Anne-Françoise, 2022. "Effects of the in-store crowd and employee perceptions on intentions to revisit and word-of-mouth via transactional satisfaction: A SOR approach," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    10. Mehta, Ritu & Balakumar, Karthikeyan, 2021. "Redesigning after-sales service: Impact on incumbent product distribution channels," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    11. Chang, Tsung-Sheng, 2021. "Social distancing in retail: Influence of perceived retail crowding and self-efficacy on employees’ perceived risks," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    12. Knoeferle, Klemens M. & Paus, Vilhelm Camillus & Vossen, Alexander, 2017. "An Upbeat Crowd: Fast In-store Music Alleviates Negative Effects of High Social Density on Customers’ Spending," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 93(4), pages 541-549.
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    14. , Aisdl, 2020. "Impact of Infectious Disease Risk Perception on Perceived Retail Crowding: With Special Reference to Retail Industry in Sri Lanka," OSF Preprints srknd, Center for Open Science.
    15. Ladeira, Wagner Junior & Dalmoro, Marlon & de Oliveira Santini, Fernando & Ruffatto, Juliane & Zanoni, Roberto, 2021. "More bodily motor action, less visual attention: How supermarket stimuli and consumer-related factors influence gaze behavior," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    16. Cristina Calvo-Porral & Jean-Pierre Lévy-Mangin, 2021. "Examining the Influence of Store Environment in Hedonic and Utilitarian Shopping," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, January.
    17. Blut, Markus & Iyer, Gopalkrishnan R., 2020. "Consequences of Perceived Crowding: A Meta-Analytical Perspective," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 96(3), pages 362-382.
    18. Lucia-Palacios, Laura & Pérez-López, Raúl & Polo-Redondo, Yolanda, 2020. "How situational circumstances modify the effects of frontline employees’ competences on customer satisfaction with the store," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    19. Rossetti, Tomás & Yoon, So-Yeon & Daziano, Ricardo A., 2022. "Social distancing and store choice in times of a pandemic," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    20. Lucia-Palacios, Laura & Pérez-López, Raúl & Polo-Redondo, Yolanda, 2018. "Can social support alleviate stress while shopping in crowded retail environments?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 141-150.
    21. Jacobsen, Jens Kr. Steen & Iversen, Nina M. & Hem, Leif E., 2019. "Hotspot crowding and over-tourism: Antecedents of destination attractiveness," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 53-66.

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