Phygital luxury experiences. A correspondence analysis on retail technologies

Abstract

Beliefs play a prominent role in consumer attitudes toward technology. Hence, the interplay between affective and cognitive perceptions results in approach or avoidance behaviours. This study examines how phygital interactive in-store technologies are perceived in the specific context of luxury retail by providing a holistic picture of the characteristics consumers link to technological applications. Employing correspondence analysis, we highlight the contribution of the affective and cognitive dimensions of beliefs to technology evaluation, both in positive and negative terms. By differentiating between respondents who had already tried the technology and those who had not, the findings reveal how negative bias, derived from a lack of experience, results in negative evaluations; while previous usage of the technology positively impacts technology assessment. The results provide an outline of a valuable customer in-store experience enriched by phygital devices, showing how technology's distinct features attract consumers, and how these perceptions can be leveraged by the retailer to enhance the retail experience.