TRENDS AND DETERMINANTS OF DURABLE GOODS PURCHASE IN KERALA: A BEHAVIOURAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The exploration of consumer behaviour, although widely recognized as a formal discipline in recent decades, has its conceptual origins in classical economic thought, notably in Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations (1776). It involves examining the choices individuals and households make regarding the use of their limited resources, such as time, money, and effort, for purchasing and using goods and services. This area of study seeks to understand not only what consumers buy but also the reasons, timing, location, method, and frequency of their purchases. Consumer behaviour is a multidisciplinary field, integrating knowledge from psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, and social psychology to better comprehend decision-making processes. Businesses increasingly rely on insights from consumer behaviour to divide markets into segments, develop targeted strategies, and evaluate marketing effectiveness. The expansion of this field has been influenced by factors such as rapid technological advancements, shorter product life cycles, a high rate of product failure, increasing consumer awareness, and the growing role of non-profit and service sectors in adopting marketing practices. Moreover, the rise of digital tools and data analytics has further enriched behavioural research. This study focuses on understanding the consumer behaviour associated with durable goods in Kerala, aiming to reveal regional patterns, preferences, and the socio-economic variables that influence purchasing decisions. The research findings are expected to offer valuable contributions for both academic analysis and practical marketing applications.

Keywords

consumer behaviour, durable goods, purchase decisions, market segmentation, socio-economic factors, consumer preferences

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To cite this article

Vidya Kanth, M. S. (2025). Trends and Determinants of Durable Goods Purchase in Kerala: A Behavioural Perspective. Sparkling International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Studies, 8(2), 1-10.