Date of Conferral

2015

Degree

Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)

School

Business Administration

Advisor

Janet Booker Booker

Abstract

Some managers lack an effective strategy for aligning sales promotion strategies with consumers' buying attitudes in a recession. The intent of this comparative design was to determine the most effective sales promotion strategy for sales improvement and business sustainability during a recession. The theories of (a) sales promotions, (b) consumer behavioral metrics, (c) price reductions, and (d) strategy in a competitive environment represented the theoretical framework that grounded and complemented this research. Using a confidential paper-based survey and random sampling method, preference data were obtained from 287 consumers in retail stores located in a city in the southern United States. This analysis comprised examining the effects of types of sales promotions and gender of customers. Statistical tests for the data analysis encompassed a 4X2 ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests for mean pairs. The principal findings from the analysis were that there is a significant difference in buying attitudes means among the 4 types of sales promotion in a recession [F(3, 279) = 101.360; p = .000 < .001; Partial η'= .522]. However, there is no significant difference in buying attitudes means in a recession [F(1, 279) = .000; p = .999 > .05; Partial η'= .000] between genders. Price discount strategy had a higher buying attitudes mean than did any other type of sales promotion under study for both genders. The most effective strategy for aligning sales promotions with buying attitudes in a recession is price discount. Implications for business practice and positive social change include the sales increase in a recession, improvement of lifestyle of individuals, and reduction of negative tendencies such as crime and poverty associated with unemployment.

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