Factors Defining Shopping Experience: An Analytical Study of Dubai

Abstract

This paper explains the composition of shopping experience for mall shoppers of Dubai. The study assumes significance because Dubai is a prominent destination attracting shoppers from all over the globe. An attempt has been made to portray shopper’s expectations from shopping malls. The research uses data reduction with the help of Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) on a sample of 200 respondents from city of Dubai and condenses a set of twenty-two mall attributes into a list of five comprehensible factors. Results of the study shows that mall shoppers of Dubai view shopping experience as blend of five factors: ambiance, physical infrastructure, marketing focus, convenience, and safety and security. Shoppers assign differential weight to these factors. Composition of these factors in terms of its constituents reveals distinct patterns. Findings of this research may be used as guidelines for development and management of shopping malls in Dubai. Shopping malls making appropriate use of these insights are more likely to attract and sustain a higher level of footfalls. Capital intensive projects like shopping malls cannot afford to fail. This application-oriented study proposes new benchmarks for mall development and management and reduces the probability of taking wrong decisions. This paper is also a significant addition to the body of knowledge in the area of mall management and consumer behavior in Dubai.