Window Bakery is characterized by its hygienic and open system, equipped with in-store production facilities that allow customers to directly observe the entire baking process. Every stage of bread-making—from kneading and shaping the dough to ferme...
Window Bakery is characterized by its hygienic and open system, equipped with in-store production facilities that allow customers to directly observe the entire baking process. Every stage of bread-making—from kneading and shaping the dough to fermentation and baking—takes place within the store, enabling customers to enjoy freshly baked bread every day. This system, combined with a small but sophisticated interior design and a healthy concept using organic flour and natural yeast, has recently gained strong popularity among consumers. In particular, small-scale bakeries run by skilled bakers are attracting attention with their unique recipes and distinctive concepts. Window bakeries differentiate themselves from major franchise bakeries by producing and selling breads that are hard to find elsewhere. They also secure a competitive edge by inviting experienced Japanese master bakers and confectioners to hold seminars, and by directly developing and operating products that sell well in the current market. This demonstrates a distinct aspect compared to franchise bakeries. In the face of continuous expansion by large franchises and the rapid growth of the bakery cafe market, window bakeries need to establish strategies that directly link to customer behavior to maintain long-term competitiveness. In particular, it is crucial to analyze how customer choice attributes and relationship quality influence behavioral intention. To lay a theoretical framework, a literature review was conducted, and an empirical study was performed based on the theoretical grounds of customer-perceived choice attributes, relationship quality, and behavioral intention of window bakeries, leading to the setting of a research model and hypotheses. The purpose of this study is to identify the customer choice attributes for window bakeries, which are gaining popularity in the recent bakery market. Based on the results of this research, the study aims to provide fundamental data for exploring competitive operation methods and development directions for window bakeries in the formulation of marketing strategies that can satisfy customer needs. The empirical analysis for hypothesis testing utilized survey data collected from customers with experience purchasing from window bakeries, analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 26.0. Frequency analysis was used to understand the characteristics of the sample, and descriptive statistics analysis was conducted to examine the normality of variables. The reliability of the questionnaire was determined using Cronbach's α coefficient. Validity was confirmed through exploratory factor analysis, ensuring that the measurement items clearly reflected the concepts of this study. Furthermore, correlation analysis between variables was performed to diagnose discriminant validity and the issue of multicollinearity. Based on the refined measurement items, structural equation modeling analysis was carried out for hypothesis testing. Finally, based on the results of the empirical statistical analysis, the practical implications of the research findings, the limitations of this study, and tasks for subsequent research were summarized. The empirical analysis results of this study are as follows. First, regarding the effect of window bakery choice attributes on relationship quality, the choice attributes of product, service, hygiene, promotion, and physical environment were found to have a significant positive(+) influence on satisfaction and trust within relationship quality. Second, regarding the effect of relationship quality on behavioral intention, satisfaction and trust within relationship quality were found to have a significant positive(+) influence on behavioral intention. Implications The implications of the empirical analysis results of this study are as follows. First, the study holds academic implications by proving the importance of choice attribute factors in their relationship with relationship quality, and the importance of relationship quality factors in their relationship with behavioral intention. Second, the study has practical implications in that it confirmed that a positive relationship quality is smoothly formed with bakery customers through the choice attribute factors of domestic window bakeries, and it derived choice attributes that customers of window bakeries might consider in the future. Therefore, it is suggested that window bakeries should recognize the relationship quality as leading to the behavior of continuous use of window bakery products, and thus efforts should be made to develop various menus and provide services to foster high relationship quality. This study is limited by the short duration of the investigation. Future research will require more long-term and systematic studies. In subsequent research, it is necessary to expand the sample to customers from various regions and age groups to verify the generalizability of choice attributes and behavioral intention regarding window bakeries. Furthermore, conducting a longitudinal study that analyzes changes in customer experience and the impact of the market environment from a long-term perspective would yield more in-depth implications.