JOURNAL OF MARKETING DEVELOPMENT AND COMPETITIVENESS
Crazy Little Thing Called Love: A Consumer-Retailer Relationship
Author(s): Mandy H. Ortiz, Mary P. Harrison
Citation: Mandy H. Ortiz, Mary P. Harrison, (2011) "Crazy Little Thing Called Love: A
Consumer-Retailer Relationship" Vol. 5, Iss. 3, pp. 68 - 80
Article Type: Research paper
Publisher: North American Business Press
Abstract:
Consumers use the word love to describe their feelings about objects, brands, and activities. Literature
has explored relationships with brands and objects, however, emotions towards a specific retailer have
not been explored. This study extends previous findings to qualitatively examine consumer-retailer love
and its relationship with self-concept and identity development. Nostalgia and comfort are two of the
factors that lead to retailer love. Informants find congruity between their self-concept and the retailer’s
personality. Consumers believe that the retailer can help them achieve their aspirations. This consumerretailer
love should lead to profitability for the retailer and improved self-concept for the consumer.