Neyati Ahuja [Subject: Commerce] International Journal of Vol.

3, Issue: 2, February: 2015

Research in Humanities & Social Sciences ISSN:(P) 2347-5404 ISSN:(O)2320 771X

Effect of Branding On Consumer Buying Behaviour:

A Study in Relation to Fashion Industry
NEYATI AHUJA
Research Scholar,
Department of Commerce
Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi
Delhi (India)
Abstract:
Customers all over the world now prefer branded products. This study is aimed at analyzing the effect
of brand on consumer buying behavior. Along with finding the effect of brand on consumer buying
behavior the purpose of the study is to have an in depth knowledge of what actually is branding and
consumer behavior. To study the relationship between brand and consumer behavior the following
methodology is opted: Consumer Survey on the effect of brands on their buying behavior through
questionnaire. The key results of the study are: The degree brand of consciousness goes on
decreasing in higher age groups; price & brand were the major attributes that customer’s gave most
importance and 80% people believe that Brands in fashion industry have become a status symbol.

Keywords: Branding, Consumer, Consumer buying behavior, Fashion industry

1. Introduction
Brand these days have become a status symbol. Customers all over the world now prefer branded
products. But why is the question. Is it the quality that attracts customers towards brand or some other
related factor? This study is aimed at analyzing the effect of brand on consumer buying behavior.
Along with finding the effect of brand on consumer buying behavior the purpose of the study is to
have an in depth knowledge of what actually is branding and consumer behavior.
All the study has been conducted with reference to fashion industry in India. Firms in fashion industry
are competing to increase their profit share in the market and among these firms; branded clothing &
accessories has shifted the conventional style & interest of people. A brand which is sold at a high
price and the other which is sold at low price while both have same quality and attributes, why is that?
Brand studies always have remained the key attention of the marketer’s because of its importance and
direct relationship with consumers.
Marketers use brands as to get the competitive advantage on other competitors playing an imperative
role in the success of companies. Brand holds a great importance in consumer’s life. Consumer’s
choose brands and trust them the way they trust their friends and family members to avoid uncertainty
and quality related issues. India has a successful growing economy and the Fashion industry of the
country has advanced tremendously in the recent years. The increasing use of fashion goods and the
emerging market has intrigued foreign as well as local brands to provide services to its customers.
2. Objectives of the study
To understanding the concepts of branding.
To study the factors affecting consumer behavior.
To study the effect of brands on consumer buying behavior in relation to Fashion goods &
accessories.

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 Neyati Ahuja [Subject: Commerce] International Journal of Vol. 3, Issue: 2, February: 2015
Research in Humanities & Social Sciences ISSN:(P) 2347-5404 ISSN:(O)2320 771X
3. Research Methodology
Consumer Survey on the effect of brands on their buying behavior through questionnaire.
Sample Size: 100 Respondents.
A sample questionnaire is annexed.

4. Understanding consumer behavior

Consumer behavior refers to the mental and emotional process and the observable behavior of
consumers during searching, purchasing and post consumption of a product or service. It involves
study of how people buy, what they buy, when they buy and why they buy. It blends the elements
from psychology, sociology, socio psychology, anthropology and economics. It also tries to assess the
influence on the consumer from groups such as family, friends, reference groups and society in
general. There are several factors affecting consumer buying behavior, which can be broadly
classified as:-
Social Factors- Which refer to forces that other people exert and which affect consumers’
purchase behavior. These social factors include culture and subculture, roles and family, social
class and reference groups.
Psychological Factors- Which are internal to an individual and generate forces within that
influence her/his purchase behavior. The major forces include motives, perception, learning,
attitude and personality.
Personal Factors- Which include those aspects that are unique to a person and influence purchase
behavior. These factors include demographic factors, lifestyle, and situational factors.

5. Understanding Branding
Products are what companies make, but customers buy brands. Therefore marketers go for branding in
order to distinguish their offerings from similar products and services provided by their competitors.
Additionally, it carries an inherent assurance to the customers that the quality of a purchase will be
similar to earlier purchases of the same brand.

Branding is a process, a tool, a strategy and an orientation.

To build long term relationship with the customers
Used as a differentiation strategy when the product cannot be easily distinguished in terms of
tangible features.
A conscious customer satisfaction orientation process.

Kotler (1999) expands on the concept of identity by stating that a brand is capable of conveying up to
six different levels of meaning to a targeted audience. This is known as the “Six Dimensions of The
Brand”
Attributes A brand will communicate specific attributes, such as prestige
Benefits A brand strengthens a product’s attributes by communicating a set of benefits
that makes it more attractive
Values A brand represents a company’s core values and belief system
Culture A brand is representative or target a target audiences socio cultural
characteristics
Personality A Brand can project behavioral personality patterns of targeted consumers
User The brand, in some cases, can emulate the end user

6. Effect of branding on consumer behavior

A Consumer’s behavior may be either positive or negative, depending on the outcome of their
learning and evaluating process. The evaluation of consumer attitudes towards brands has quickly
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RET Academy for International Journals of Multidisciplinary Research (RAIJMR)
 Neyati Ahuja [Subject: Commerce] International Journal of Vol. 3, Issue: 2, February: 2015
Research in Humanities & Social Sciences ISSN:(P) 2347-5404 ISSN:(O)2320 771X
become a major part in conducting marketing research. The development of positive attitudes towards
brands can lead to not only the sustaining of competitive advantage, but in the bettering of the
financial health of a company. Branding has been found to be a key in formation of positive attitudes
towards products, especially those involving low-levels of consumer involvement. However it has
been noted that there are factors that might negate the effects of the formation of positive attitudes.
One being that the effects of positive attitudes can dissipate should the consumer not purchase the
product within a certain timeframe. Another factor that might negate the effects of positive attitudes
might be an overtly high pricing policy, which might have a contrary effect to the consumer’s positive
attitudes towards the brand and result in a non sale.

7. Questionnaire results
7.1 Age
44% Respondents belonging to the age group of 11-25 are the most brand conscious group and prefer
following their desired brands on social networking sites. 32% belonging to 26-40 are also brand
conscious & the degree of loyalty towards brands is high among this group. The degree brand of
consciousness goes on decreasing in higher age groups.

7.2 Work Status

Work status greatly influenced the choice, preference and habit of a person. Work status influences a
person’s fashion choices.
Students and the working class are more brand conscious as compared to other groups.
Students prefer branded casual wear & accessories, whereas the working class likes more of branded
formal wear.

7.3 Household Income

Household income is the sum of all the wages, salaries, and other forms of earning received by a
household during a given period of time.

Data indicate that 6% belong to income category of Rs less than 10000 and 16% fall between Rs
10000-50000. Then 42% fall between income categories of 50000-100000. And another 32% come
under income group of 100000 & above. Household income highly influences the consumer behavior
towards fashion goods; families having income above Rs 50000 monthly prefer more of the branded
fashion apparels & accessories as compared to families having income less than Rs. 50000 a month.

7.4 Factors Affecting the Purchasing Decision

Study reveals that price & brand were the major attributes that customer’s gave most importance to
while purchasing readymade garments, followed by other attributes.

7.5 Who Influence Purchasing Decision

Advertising is the art of influencing human action to buy or possess ones product. The term ‘media’
refers to the means through which the advertising information is communicated by the advertiser to
the prospective customers. Advertising helps the brands to popularize their products among the mass,
which in turn helps them to influence the purchasing decision of the consumers.

Analysis reveals that 38% of the total respondents become aware about particular brands through
Print media (newspapers & magazines), 30% through advertisements on TV & Radio, 26% through
Online Media, and another 6% through words of mouth.

7.6 Brand Loyalty

Study indicates that only 32% is the loyal customers and 68% may change their brand or look out for
offers before making the purchasing the purchasing decision if all the qualities are available with the
new products.
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RET Academy for International Journals of Multidisciplinary Research (RAIJMR)
 Neyati Ahuja [Subject: Commerce] International Journal of Vol. 3, Issue: 2, February: 2015
Research in Humanities & Social Sciences ISSN:(P) 2347-5404 ISSN:(O)2320 771X
7.7 Status Symbol
Approximately 80% people believe that Brands in fashion industry have become a status symbol.

8. Conclusion
Brand is a guarantee, an assurance for a defined standard of quality for the first time and for every
time. Brand is name or logo that plays the role in the mind of the customer. Brands do not compete
in the product area but compete for the mind space of the customer. A brand once established in the
mind of the customer becomes indelible when customer identifies itself with that particular Brand.
Branding is an effective marketing strategy tool that has been used with frequent success in the past.
Branding can be an effective and powerful tool for all types of business organizations. If brand
owners use their product correctly, the payoffs can be substantial. However, if brands are
mismanaged, the results can be damaging. From the overall research we came to the conclusion that
brands have an effect on the consumer mind in many ways like quality, rates, income, age group’s etc.
Even in the fashion industries brand have a significant effect on consumer behavior.

References
1. Consumer Behavior, 6th Edition, by Hawkins, Best ad Coney.
2. Consumer Behavior, 6th Edition, by Lean G. Sehiffman and Leslic lazan Kanuk.
3. Kevin Lane Keller (2004). Strategic Brand Management, 2nd edition, Pearson Education, New
Delhi.

Annexure
BRANDING IN FASHION INDUSTRY
Questionnaire
(Tick whichever applicable)
The following questionnaire is being used for the purpose of a survey on 'The impact of branding
on consumer buying behavior with respect to brands in fashion industry”. The results of the
analysis done on the basis of the responses will be used for educational purposes only. Thank you for
your time.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Name: Mr.  Ms.__________________________________________________
Address:___________________________________________________________
City: ______________________________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________________________________

OTHER INFORMATION:
Age:
Gender:  Male  Female
Marital status:  Unmarried  Married

WORK STATUS: (tick one)

 Working  Student
 Retired  Self-employed
 Others ________________________ (Please Specify)

MONTHLY HOUSEHOLD INCOME:

 <10000  10000-50000  50000-100000  >100000

1. How often do you shop for apparels & other fashion accessories?
 Once in a month  once in 3 months
 2-3 times a month  once in 6 months
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 Neyati Ahuja [Subject: Commerce] International Journal of Vol. 3, Issue: 2, February: 2015
Research in Humanities & Social Sciences ISSN:(P) 2347-5404 ISSN:(O)2320 771X
2. Factors you consider while purchasing a readymade garments?
BASIS Large Extent(3) Some Extent(2) Least Extent(1)
Cloth type
Color
Brand
Fashion/Trend
Price
Availability

3. Who influence you to purchase the brand?

 Family  Friends  Advertisement
 Self  Celebrity’s style

4. How much do you care about using brands?

Slightly Strongly
Not much Never

5. Which of the following fashion brands are you aware of?

 Jack & Jones  Gucci  Zodiac
 Provogue  Levi’s  Louis Vuitton
 United Colors of Benetton  Wills Lifestyle  Allen Solly

6. How did you hear about the brand?

 TV or Radio  Online Media advertising
 Print media (Newspaper/magazines)  Word of mouth.

7. Which all categories of products you would like to have branded?

 Casual clothes  Accessories  bags
 Corporate wear  Watches  All of the above.

8. When shopping for fashion products….

 You return to the same brand
 Try out new brands
 Look out for special offers & then decide on brand.

9. Do you follow brands on social networking sites?

 Yes
 No

10. How much do you agree that social media help in acquiring information about the fashion
brands?
 Agree
 Neutral
 Disagree

11. How important are the following factors of a shopping experience to you?
Very important Important Neutral Unimportant
Price
Trend
Brand Name
Quality
Convenient location
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RET Academy for International Journals of Multidisciplinary Research (RAIJMR)
 Neyati Ahuja [Subject: Commerce] International Journal of Vol. 3, Issue: 2, February: 2015
Research in Humanities & Social Sciences ISSN:(P) 2347-5404 ISSN:(O)2320 771X
12. How relevant are the following factors while choosing a clothing brand?
Irrelevant Neutral Relevant Very Relevant
Advertising
Styles
Online shopping
Customer service

13. Brand has now become a status symbol. Do you agree?

 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Neutral
 Strongly disagree
 Disagree.

14. Do you think focus on branding while purchasing is correct?

 Yes
 No  Not Sure.

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