Abstract
This paper explores the effects of price discount frequency on consumer evaluation of clothing brand equity as well as the impact on consumers who exhibit different consumer characteristics. Following a preliminary investigation, two clothing brand groups were identified according to the frequency of their price discounts, one with a high frequency of price discounts, the other with a low frequency. Each brand group consisted of three women's clothing brands. A questionnaire was developed and administered to 351 females between the ages of nineteen and thirty-four in October 2000. The questionnaire included questions on evaluations on clothing brand equity (i.e., perceived quality, brand image, perceived value, reliability and brand knowledge), on consumer characteristics (i.e., clothing knowledge, clothing evaluative criteria, price perception and demographic characteristics), as well as on price discount frequency. Statistical tests, such as factor analysis. t-test and pearson's correlation, were used to analyze the data. Results of this research showed that price discount frequency negatively impacted consumer perception of clothing brand equity. The negative influence was particularly strong on the perceived quality and brand image dimensions of brand equity. The findings also suggested the effect of price discount frequency on consumer assessment of clothing brand equity was related to consumer characteristics as well. The equity of the clothing brand group with a low frequency of price discounts was positively related to clothing knowledge, price-quality inference, price-prestige inference, sale prone-ness. price mavenism, valuing the fashionable and symbolic uses of clothing and family income. On the other hand, it was negatively related to low price consciousness. The equity of the clothing brand group with a high frequency of price discounts was positively related to utilitarian economic aspects of clothing values as well as to low price consciousness. To establish and maintain high brand equity, marketers must pay attention to the frequency of price discount as it may have a negative impact on clothing brand equity.