This study is intended to research a purchase determinant of consumer on instant foods. For it, a sample survey was conducted for 300 adults in Seoul and the metropolitan area. A questionnaire was composed of total 15 questions including 7 questions ...
This study is intended to research a purchase determinant of consumer on instant foods. For it, a sample survey was conducted for 300 adults in Seoul and the metropolitan area. A questionnaire was composed of total 15 questions including 7 questions about demographic characteristics of the object of the survey, 2 questions about the product attribute, 5 questions about the consumer's purchase behavior, and 1 question about the purchase-related negative factor. Collected questionnaires were analyzed according to factors and variables' characteristics through using SPSSWIN statistical program. A frequency analysis and a correlation analysis was conducted together. Based on the consumer's purchase characteristics shown in the preceding studies, its change was compared through analyzed results. Then, the hypotheses established based on the preceding studies and reference data were verified. The factors which impacted the consumer's purchase decision at the purchase of instant foods were verified as follows.
Firstly, there was a difference of preference according to the age and the number of families among the consumer's personal characteristics. The young generation and the small family had higher preference for instant foods than the old generation and the large family respectively. That is, there was the difference in the personal characteristics when the instant foods are purchased.
Secondly, when consumers purchased the product, consumers considered that the taste should be good and the product should not be harmful for the health as the most considerable factor among the product attributes. However, after purchasing they showed satisfaction with the packing state and good taste, but they were not satisfied with safety. It indicated that there was the difference between customers' desires and satisfaction with instant foods.
Thirdly, in relation to the consumer's purchase behavior, consumers answered ‘because of convenience’ as the reason for preferring the most. Among the product attributes, it was analyzed as the highest purchase factor with 'because of good taste' which was analyzed as the most preference factor. Mainly-purchasing place was the large discount store. The large discount store's consumer purchase convenience seemed to be improved as the large discount stores in the big city had advanced to the small cities gradually. In terms of the purchase motive, largest number of respondents answered ‘they purchase the product impulsively under necessity. That is, consumers seemed to be affected because the large-scaled shopping space such as the large discount store provided the pleasant shopping environment with various cultural events. Also, it was analyzed that it a tendency of consumption was changed to shopping and family outing-combined consumption from the purposed shopping. In addition, it was because the instant foods could be instantly and easily purchased by consumers because of low-priced product. In particular, in terms of the consumer's acquisition of product information, it was very noticeable that consumers who instantly purchased the product as occasions demanded, bought the products through seeing the displayed products or using Internet regardless of the existing media or a sales hook. On the other hand, it was analyzed that the consumers who purchased the product through the advertising by media or the relative's recommendation, didn't acquire the product information through seeing the displayed products in the shop. Accordingly, it was analyzed that consumers' acquisition method of product information had the close correlation with the purchase motive and affected the purchase.
Fourthly, As the biggest reason for not purchasing or preferring the instant foods, there was the negative recognition of consumers who thought 'the instant foods are not good for health'. Consumers don't seem to trust the foreign raw materials because of the news on the partial China-made product's non-hygiene reported by the press, and American mad cow disease.
Compared to Japan, Korea's Retort market scale is expected to have a fourfold increase of consumption. Because of expanded five-day working system per week and increasing double-income family, the demand is expected to increase gradually. Accordingly, based on the analysis results of this study, the instant foods manufacturer must strive to keep the safe and excellent quality, and must exert for developing various products. Also, they should continuously strive to change the consumer's negative recognition on instant foods.