Consumer insight : a research of sportswear shopping

The report is an attempt to incorporate consumer insight in the female sportswear segment to figureout how it can be used in the clothing industry. The consumer insight methods are performed on anexperimental basis to get a perception of how it can be done and figure out how it differs fromtraditional market research. The research aims to clarify the important parameters on which buyingdecisions are made. The parameters will be based on price, function, fit, brand, design etc. Thereport is made in cooperation with the company Röhnisch sportswear.The consumer insight concept is a part of a consumer driven or consumer oriented businessapproach. The concept strives to find unconscious needs, the driving forces behind them and furtherput them in a context to solve a problem for the consumer. The aim is to satisfy consumers and atthe same time develop a competitive and successful business model. While traditional marketingresearch usually describe what is, a consumer insight approach aim to understand why.The methods used in this research are participative observations, in-depth interviews, gymobservations and market survey. The qualitative and quantitative methods have been compared anddiscussed. The relevance and the importance of the methods used are highlighted and prioritizinglists are estimated. The result shows a wide variety of shopping behaviours. Varied shoppingbehaviour can be seen depending on products. Essential parameters for an exercising garment are fitand design. The importance of other parameters is also discussed in the report. On one hand aselective, focused and deterministic approach is seen and on the other hand a more passive andopen attitude is observed. Feeling comfortable in terms of aesthetical aspects is essential to motivatethe exercising activity.Program: Magisterutbildning i Applied Textile Managemen