Modeling consumer choice among SKUs

Journal of Marketing Research

Marketing

Journal of Marketing Research 1996 Nov Vol 33:4 p 442-452

Fader P S;Hardie B G S

Bruce Hardie

1996

Most choice models in marketing implicitly assume that the fundamental unit of analysis is the brand. In reality, however, many more of the decisions made by consumers, manufacturers, and retailers occur at the level of the stock-keeping unit (SKU). A study addresses a variety of issues involved in defining and using SKUs in a choice model, as well as the unique benefits that arise from doing so. It discusses how a set of discrete attributes (e.g. brand name, package size, type) can be used to characterize a large set of SKUs in a parsimonious manner. It is postulated that consumers do not form preferences for each individual SKU, per se, but instead evaluate the underlying attributes that describe each item. The model is shown to be substantially superior to a more traditional framework that does not emphasize the complete use of SKU attribute information. The analysis also highlights several other benefits associated with the proposed modeling approach, such as the ability to forecast sales for imitative line extensions that enter the market in a future period. Other implications and extensions also are discussed.

Winner of the 1997 Paul E Green Award for the paper demonstrating the most potential to contribute to the practice of marketing research. Finalist (Runner-up) for the 2001 William F O'Dell Award.

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