Drivers Of Customer Loyalty In South African Retail Stores

There remains a need to provide empirically derived and updated information on the influence of store image factors on both the satisfaction as well as the loyalty of customers that is specifically customised to the South African context. This study examined the relationship between store image factors, store satisfaction and customer loyalty in the South African retail environment. The study tests a conceptual framework which links five store image factors; namely, sales assistance, store atmospherics, store appeal, promotion and store accessibility to store satisfaction and customer loyalty. A four section structured questionnaire was administered to a conveniently drawn sample of 489 apparel shoppers. Participants were recruited at three shopping malls located in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Packages for the social Sciences (Version 21.0). Spearman correlations showed negative to weak correlations between the factors and store satisfaction. Regression analysis revealed that promotion and store appeal were statistically significant in predicting store satisfaction. Store satisfaction was positively associated and significantly predicted customer loyalty. The findings of the study can be used by managers in retail stores to develop a current view of the shopping behaviour of today’s consumers. This enables them to initiate and implement appropriate marketing strategies in their retail stores