Defining consumer responses to special event entertainment (SEE): key constructs and propositions

Abstract

Special event entertainment (SEE) is a category of shopping centre entertainment that is seasonal, temporary and discrete in nature and it can involve school holiday entertainment, fashion shows and market days (Sit, Merrilees and Birch, 2003). Using SEE, shopping centre managers seek to entice consumer patronage, to provide consumers with a reason to stay longer and to visit more often (Parsons, 2003). The consumption of SEE is considered to be a form of retail hedonic consumption because it is consumed primarily for hedonic or experiential reasons like fun, escapism and enjoyment. Despite the popularity of SEE in shopping centres, very little research exists about how consumers perceive and respond to SEE. This study proposes seven constructs which are believed to define how consumers respond to SEE, namely perceived experiential value, emotions, satisfaction, demographics, personality, involvement and social situation.