Estudio del comportamiento del consumo de ropa de las mujeres de Medellín y el Área Metropolitana en tiempos de pandemia y post pandemia

Abstract

This study aimed to understand the purchasing decision process and the involvement of marketing mix variables (price, place, promotion, and product) in the purchasing process of casual clothing for women between 18 and 36 years old in the Metropolitan Area of Medellin during the pandemic. It also explored whether the post-pandemic period induced changes in the clothing consumption patterns of women in the mentioned age range. An exploratory-descriptive study was conducted using in-depth interviews with ten women who fit the target profile. Despite the inherent limitations of qualitative research (especially in terms of generalization), it was concluded that the product is the main variable in the stages of problem recognition, evaluation of alternatives, and product selection. Promotion was identified as influential in the information search stage, while place was found to play a role in the outcome stage. Price was only mentioned in the problem recognition and alternative evaluation stages and had low impact. Additionally, it was identified that consumption patterns were modified due to increased savings to prepare for future contingencies such as COVID-19. Quality in products and services became a priority for consumers. As a result, it can be concluded that women's clothing brands that can offer quality experiences and products to consumers will achieve better results within the textile industry and enjoy significant competitive advantages.