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Disentangling the respective impacts of assortment size and alignability on perceived assortment variety

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  • Mejía, Victor D.
  • Aurier, Philippe
  • Huaman-Ramirez, Richard

Abstract

Assortment size is considered to influence strongly perceived assortment variety, but this influence depends on assortment organization. We consider assortment alignability (i.e. the degree of comparability between products) and show how it interacts with size to influence perceived variety. When assortment is structured along a unique important attribute (e.g. flavor or format), alignability influences perceived variety but size does not (Study 1). When this attribute is not important, only size influences perceived variety (Study 2). When assortment is structured along several attributes (e.g. flavor and format), alignability positively influences perceived variety, and assortment size reinforces this effect (Study 3).

Suggested Citation

  • Mejía, Victor D. & Aurier, Philippe & Huaman-Ramirez, Richard, 2021. "Disentangling the respective impacts of assortment size and alignability on perceived assortment variety," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:joreco:v:59:y:2021:i:c:s0969698920313941
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jretconser.2020.102386
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Charles Hugh Wilkie, Dean & Mirzaei, Abas & Pham, Ngoc & Johnson, Lester W., 2022. "Reassessing product line breadth effectiveness: The role of heterogeneity, moderation, and cumulative effects," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 434-447.
    3. Tian, Xin & Jiang, Hailiang & Zhao, Xuan, 2024. "Product assortment and online sales in community group-buying channel: Evidence from a convenience store chain," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    4. Ladeira, Wagner & Rasul, Tareq & Perin, Marcelo Gattermann & Santini, Fernando, 2023. "The bright side of disorganization: When surprise generates low-price signals," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).

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