• Human Ecology Research
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• 제54권6호
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• pp.599-610
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• 2016

The purposes of this study are to identify the characteristics of limited edition fashion consumers, to analyze their purchase decision-making processes, and to examine negative factors of consumers' recognition toward limited edition fashion products. A qualitative investigation was conducted by doing in-depth interviews with 11 selected consumers in their twenties and thirties who have actively purchased and consumed limited edition fashion products. The results of this study can be summarized as follows. First, there are four sub-categories of appearance management activity, acceptance of fashion trend, information-seeking behavior, and hedonic shopping orientation for the limited edition fashion consumers' characteristics. Second, the purchase decision-making process of limited edition fashion consumers are identified as seven steps: need recognition, information search, evaluation of alternatives, planning and courtship, purchase, post-purchase evaluation, and post-purchase behavior. Courtship/attachment formation and post-purchase behavior are unique steps when compared to general purchase decision-making process. Third, this study identified negative factors of consumers' recognition toward limited edition this study in order to suggest several improvement plans for enterprises using limited marketing. Four sub-categories are examined: outrageous price, tricks of company, fatigue due to purchasing competition, and re-sellers. In conclusion, this study indicates that the purchase decision-making process of limited edition consumers, which involves two distinctive steps including courtship/attachment formation and post-purchase behavior, can be differentiated from general consumers. The results of this study provides preliminary data for further research for in-depth analysis of limited edition consumers.