CONSUMER REGRET ARISING FROM SUB-OPTIMAL CONDITIONS IN STOCKOUT SITUATIONS AND ITS’ INFLUENCE ON BRAND LOYALTY
CONSUMER REGRET ARISING FROM SUB-OPTIMAL CONDITIONS IN STOCKOUT SITUATIONS AND ITS’ INFLUENCE ON BRAND LOYALTY

Summary/Abstract: Purpose- This study proposes to examine regret arising from consumer decision-making contexts in cases of stock out situation. Consumer regret under sub-optimal and optimal conditions and its influence on subsequent behavioral intentions of brand switching is investigated. Further, the study examines the effect of regret on brand loyalty and switching behavior. Methodology- Data was collected from a convenient sample of 172 university students by using an online questionnaire circulated through social media platforms. Information about stock-out situation and sub-optimal condition is manipulated by a short excerpt in the questionnaire. Consumer responses in such a situation is measured by Likert type scales. Findings- Data analyses revealed that there is a significant amount of regret experienced by consumers in stock out situations and suboptimal conditions which might lead to brand switching. Conclusins-An enormous intent to switch brand was demonstrated. This denotes that when confronted with a comparable condition of purchasing a substitute brand during a stock out for the preferred brand, an individual may switch from the present vendor.

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