• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.19-29
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• 2004

The current fashion market is experiencing a lot of difficulties in fashion forecasting due to consumers' fast-changing lifestyle on fashion, changes in consumer behavior, and the segmentation of the fashion market. To cope with this harsh reality, many fashion enterprises have paid much attention to the SPA (Specialty Retailer's Store of Private Label Apparel) brand as a promising fashion marketing strategy in terms of which they can survive in the extremely competing fashion market. The SPA brand is in the stage of inception in Korea, but the SPA brands such as MUJI and UNIQLO are already dominating the fashion business in Japan. Korea has just started developing the SPA brand, but its technological development, which was triggered by the success of 'BASIC HOUSE', is rapidly evolving. Under these circumstances, the SPA brand is getting vital for the fashion market in efficiently realizing consumers' requirements, revolutionizing the method for providing product information and the process of Marketing Mix Program, and expressing the value of shop. This paper studies the nature of the SPA brand and fashion merchandising system, and in turn examine the differences between the visual merchandising of the existing fashion brands and the Japanese SPA brands that are used as the fashion marketing strategy which is driven by the up-to-date technological system. Centering around these issues, we propose a visual merchandising system for fashion enterprises which serves to develop Korean-style SPA brands.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.121-136
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• 2019

The fashion market is expanding and competition is intensifying due to the contraction of consumption in response to the economic recession and changes in trends. In this study, design characteristics reflecting the brand identity and trend are analyzed as important factors for success. In this study, we will look at the design characteristics of knitwear among SPA brand products and help to plan knit designs. First, six brands were selected based on the sales and the number of stores in domestic and foreign SPA brands. The selected brands include UNIQLO, ZARA, H&M, SPAO, TOPTEN, and 8Seconds. We have selected weft knitting knitwear products(1,736 pieces), which are currently sold in domestic and foreign SPA brands, as silhouette items, knitwear design items, gauges, colors, patterns, images, and items as analysis items to analyze the causes of the differences in the design characteristics of domestic and foreign knitwear. The SPA brand has a wide range of tattoo floors, emphasizing practical aspects, a silhouette that fits the body, and a comfortable daily style. Domestic and foreign SPA brands did not show much difference, but Korean brands had a lower diversity of organization and used color for stable sales, showing a lower concern in trend and strong point color applications. If foreign brands pursue femininity based on a sexy image, Korean brands displayed a difference, emphasizing cute images. As for other design factors, it was found that brand identity was reflected more than domestically. As the cycle of trends becomes shorter, fast fashion is expected to continue in the future, and it is hoped that this research will be used as useful data for design projects of domestic companies.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.74-81
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• 2015

This study explored the degree of cognition, purchasing experience and attitudes towards SPA brand attributes. This study examined the differences in variables and demographic characteristics against appearance interest groups. A questionnaire survey collected data from November $1^{st}$ and $15^{th}$ 2012. The convenience sample was drawn from females between the ages of 20 and 39 who lived in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions of South Korea. A total of 255 responses were complete and usable questionnaires. Data were tested through factor analysis, t-test, and ${\chi}^2$ test using SPSS 21.0. The results show that there were significant group differences in the cognition and purchasing experience of SPA brands and the attitudes towards SPA brand attributes. The high appearance interest group was more aware of SPA brands and evaluated SPA brand attributes more positively and bought more SPA brand products than the low appearance interest group. The high appearance interest group showed that domestic brands were excellent in low price among brand attributes but foreign brands were relatively excellent in various design and store display. There was a significant difference in educational level between appearance interest groups; however, there were no significant differences in age, marital status, and income level group. This study contributes to basic information for the SPA brand buying behavior research field and apparel industry marketing strategy by analyzing the relationship among appearance interest, cognition, SPA brand purchasing experience and SPA brand attribute attitudes.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.640-653
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of store attributes on brand equity of and brand attitude toward Korean SPA brands. Data were collected from women living in Seoul in ages from 18 to 39 with purchasing experience at Korean SPA brands. A total of 554 questionnaires were used in the statistical analysis including factor analysis and structure equation analysis. The results were as follows: For store attributes, 8 factors were extracted: product assortment, fashionability, price, quality, store environment, service, convenience in location and advertisement. Two factors, brand awareness, brand image were extracted for brand equity, and brand attitude was derived as a single dimension. Product-related store attributes such as product assortment, price, quality have positive effects on brand awareness, brand image and brand attitude. Other attribute such as store environment has positive effect on brand awareness and brand image, Attribute such as advertisement has positive effect on brand awareness and service, convenience in location have positive effect on brand attitude. Moreover, brand image and brand awareness have positive effect on brand attitude. These results indicate the product-related attributes are important factors to consider for improving brand equity and brand attitude for Korean SPA brands.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.405-420
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to identify the differences between clothing size satisfaction and clothing sizing systems of Korean and foreign SPA (specialty retailer of private label apparel) brands according to height group, and provide foundation material that can be used to establish product strategy from the perspective of Korean SPA brand clothing sizes in order to secure competitiveness in the international market. Satisfaction of tall women in their twenties with the clothing sizes of SPA brands was researched, and t-test was conducted to examine differences between clothing size satisfaction of Korean and foreign SPA brands between the two height groups. Then, differences in the size minimum and maximum values, size ranges, size intervals and size numbers between clothing sizing systems of Korean and foreign SPA brands were researched and comparatively analyzed. Existing clothing sizes need to make improvements considering the lengths and shoulder width of tall consumers. And Korean SPA brands need to diversify the range and number of sizes in the clothing sizing system, and set a separate tall-size group, or apply the relationship between vertical and horizontal sizes of clothing to establish a clothing sizing system. A product strategy that applies the results of this study will solve the clothing size dissatisfaction of tall female consumers and stimulate sales of Korean SPA brand clothing products. The study has value in that it extracted realistic problems by researching clothing sizing systems of products that are actually sold.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.604-613
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• 2014

The purposes of this study were to classify respondents by their fashion lifestyle and to investigate the differences in cognition, attitude and purchasing experience of SPA brands among fashion lifestyle groups. The convenience sample was drawn from females between the ages of 20 and 39 who lived in Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions from November $1^{st}$ and $15^{th}$ 2012. Descriptive statistics, cluster analysis, ANOVA, Tukey test, and ${\chi}^2$ test were applied to analyze data from 255 respondents. Four clusters (fashion-oriented group, fashion indifferent group, conservative individuality-oriented group, conservative practicality-oriented group) were developed by 16 fashion lifestyle items. The attitude toward SPA brand was classified by six factors(fashionability/variety, good location, good quality, diverse promotions, low price, limited number of merchandise, sales person's information). There were significant differences in cognition, five attitude factors (fashionability/variety, good location, good quality, low price, limited number of merchandise) and purchasing experience of SPA brands among types of fashion lifestyle. While the fashion-oriented group had the highest scores of cognition, attitude and purchasing experience of SPA brands, the fashion indifferent group or the conservative practicality-oriented group had the lowest scores. There were significant differences in age and marital status among the four groups while there were no significant differences in marital status, family monthly income, and job.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.206-221
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• 2019

This study examined the causal relations among brand personality, brand identification, and brand equity of Korean SPA brands that target Chinese consumers. Data were collected from 600 Chinese consumers residing in Beijing and Shanghai from August 15th to August 30th of 2015 by using convenience sampling; 561 of the questionnaires were used in the statistical analyses. Structural equation models were employed using AMOS 22.0. The results were as follows. First, the factors of Korean SPA brand personality, such as sophistication, competence, tenacity, and interest, exerted significant influences on the brand identification, while honesty had no significant influence on brand identification. Second, brand identification had significant influence on brand awareness, brand image, and brand loyalty. Third, brand awareness showed significant influence on brand image and brand loyalty. Fourth, brand image had significant influence on brand loyalty. These results indicated that brand equity can be strengthened by enhancing brand identification with the proper brand personality. This demonstrates that if Chinese consumers can associate Korean SPA brands with a sophisticated, attractive image, brand identification may be improved and brand equity may be strengthened in the long run, providing basic data for establishing efficient marketing strategies for Korean SPA brands in the Chinese market.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.161-175
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of perceived sustainability management fit of SPA brands on consumer purchase intention. A survey was conducted targeting women in their 20s and 30s from April 27th to May 6th 2013, and a total of 350 questionnaires were used in the final analysis. Frequency analysis, reliability analysis, factor analysis, ANOVA, simple regression analysis and multiple regression analysis were carried out using SPSS ver 21.0. The results of this study are as follows. First, fit of all three areas- economic, ecological and social-of sustainability management activities have a significant impact on consumer perception on sustainability activities. Second, perceived sustainability activities by SPA brands are found to have a positive effect on brand attitude, brand trust and consumer satisfaction. Third, brand attitude and consumer satisfaction forged by perceived sustainability activities by SPA brands have a positive impact on consumers' purchase intention. Based on the result of this study, the following marketing implications can be suggested. First, SPA brands need to be more active in all three area of sustainability activities while coming up with measures for differentiated social sustainability activities. Second, SPA brands need to meet their primary obligation by providing consumers with quality products at a reasonable price. Third, SPA brands need to recognize the potential value of sustainability activities as a driver of a longstanding relationship with consumers as well as long-term profit and value creation, leading to a great financial performance.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.87-98
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• 2015

As SPA brands are growing in Korean apparel markets, they are extending their well-established brands into new markets (i.e., SPA brand extensions). To investigate psychological mechanism underlying SPA brand extensions, this study conceptually proposed such consumer information processing of SPA brand extensions as (1) perception of similarity between SPA brand extensions and their original brands and (2) evaluations on the SPA brand extensions (i.e., attitude and purchase intent). For hypothetical SPA brand extensions (high, moderate and low similarity conditions), perceived similarity was measured by using a eye-tracker and evaluations were assessed by using a self-reported questionnaire. The results reveal that the amount of external information searching for SPA brand extensions was larger in the following order: moderate, low and high similarity conditions. The depth of SPA brand information processing was also deeper in the same order. Evaluations on SPA brand extensions were higher in high and moderate similarity conditions than in low similarity condition. The findings suggest that the evaluations are affected by perceived similarity and the amount of cognitive efforts in processing SPA brand extensions.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.207-220
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• 2017

Today, the fashion industries, which are appearing in the world, can satisfy their economic needs, as well as provide and distribute their products in order to introduce sustainable methods and avoid becoming a bad influence on future generations. Recently, SPA brands have contributed to the sustainable development of society with different kinds of products, such as organic, recycled and environmental products. For this research, among different SPA brands, we chose H&M as the most representative one. Using Russian and Korean consumers as examples, we analyzed how sustainable activities affect a consumer's ethical consciousness, brand loyalty and purchase intention. The results of this study show that firstly, all sustainable activities have positive effects on the ethical consciousness of Russian and, in particular, Korean consumers. Secondly, ethical consciousness has a positive effect on brand loyalty, which, in turn, has a positive effect on purchase intention. Consequently, by adding to the existing sustainable and cultural activities, we can propose new perspectives for future research on sustainability. Due to the effect on a consumer's ethical consciousness, future research might consider ethical consciousness as the main factor. By focusing on H&M as a representative of SPA brands with Russian and Korean consumers as target audiences, we can advise global SPA brands on the direction of their sustainable activities and exporting of their products to foreign markets.