A Reciprocal Model of Omnichannel Customers’ Spend
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1229/tecempresarialjournal.v21i1.771Keywords:
omnichannel consumer behaviour, customer value, non-recursive (reciprocal) SEM modelAbstract
This study investigates the reciprocal relationship between omnichannel customer behavior and spending, addressing an ongoing discourse and critical gap in the literature. While previous research has shown omnichannel customers tend to be more valuable, the underlying mechanisms and directionality of this relationship remain unclear. Using a novel combination of survey and transactional data from a grocery retailer, we employ a non-recursive structural equation model to analyze factors such as smart shopping goals, customer satisfaction, repurchase intentions, and omnichannel usage. Our results reveal a reciprocal relationship, demonstrating that omnichannel services drive increased customer spending, while higher spending enhances the adoption of omnichannel services. Additionally, smart shopping motives, particularly time savings and a sense of achieving a “smart purchase,” significantly influence omnichannel intentions. This study makes a unique contribution by integrating economic and consumer efficiency theories to offer a comprehensive understanding of omnichannel shopping behaviors. The findings provide actionable insights for businesses to optimize omnichannel strategies and deepen customer engagement. The study also proposes future research directions to explore long-term behavioral changes and industry-specific variations in omnichannel adoption.References
Arora, S. and Sahney, S. (2019), “Examining consumers’ webrooming behavior: an integrated approach”, Marketing Intelligence & Planning, Vol. 37 No. 3, pp. 339–354, doi: 10.1108/MIP-05-2018-0152.
Arora, S., Singha, K. and Sahney, S. (2017), “Understanding consumer’s showrooming behaviour: Extending the theory of planned behaviour”, Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, Emerald Publishing Limited, Vol. 29 No. 2, pp. 409–431, doi: 10.1108/APJML-06-2016-0111.
Atkins, K. and Kim, Y.-K. (2012), “Smart shopping: Conceptualization and measurement”, International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, Vol. 40, pp. 360–375, doi: 10.1108/09590551211222349.
Avery, J., Steenburgh, T.J., Deighton, J. and Caravella, M. (2012), “Adding Bricks to Clicks: Predicting the Patterns of Cross-Channel Elasticities over Time”, Journal of Marketing, SAGE Publications Inc, Vol. 76 No. 3, pp. 96–111, doi: 10.1509/jm.09.0081.
Aw, E.C.-X., Kamal Basha, N., Ng, S.I. and Ho, J.A. (2021), “Searching online and buying offline: Understanding the role of channel-, consumer-, and product-related factors in determining webrooming intention”, Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Vol. 58, p. 102328, doi: 10.1016/j.jretconser.2020.102328.
Balasubramanian, S., Raghunathan, R. and Mahajan, V. (2005), “Consumers in a multichannel environment: Product utility, process utility, and channel choice”, Journal of Interactive Marketing, Vol. 19 No. 2, pp. 12–30, doi: 10.1002/dir.20032.
Bilgicer, T., Jedidi, K., Lehmann, D.R. and Neslin, S.A. (2015), “The Long-Term Effect of Multichannel Usage on Sales”, Customer Needs and Solutions, Vol. 2 No. 1, pp. 41–56, doi: 10.1007/s40547-014-0031-y.
Blattberg, R.C., Kim, B.-D. and Neslin, S.A. (2008), Database Marketing: Analyzing and Managing Customers, Springer, New York, NY.
Burke, R.R. (2002), “Technology and the customer interface: What consumers want in the physical and virtual store”, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Vol. 30 No. 4, p. 411, doi: 10.1177/009207002236914.
Cambra-Fierro, J., Kamakura, W.A., Melero-Polo, I. and Sese, F.J. (2016), “‘Are multichannel customers really more valuable? An analysis of banking services’”, International Journal of Research in Marketing, Vol. 33 No. 1, pp. 208–212, doi: 10.1016/j.ijresmar.2015.12.007.
Campbell, D. and Frei, F. (2010), “Cost Structure, Customer Profitability, and Retention Implications of Self-Service Distribution Channels: Evidence from Customer Behavior in an Online Banking Channel”, Management Science, INFORMS, Vol. 56 No. 1, pp. 4–24, doi: 10.1287/mnsc.1090.1066.
Chang, H.H., Wang, Y.-H. and Yang, W.-Y. (2009), “The impact of e-service quality, customer satisfaction and loyalty on e-marketing: Moderating effect of perceived value”, Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, Routledge, Vol. 20 No. 4, pp. 423–443, doi: 10.1080/14783360902781923.
Dholakia, U.M., Kahn, B.E., Reeves, R., Rindfleisch, A., Stewart, D. and Taylor, E. (2010), “Consumer Behavior in a Multichannel, Multimedia Retailing Environment”, Journal of Interactive Marketing, SAGE Publications, Vol. 24 No. 2, pp. 86–95, doi: 10.1016/j.intmar.2010.02.005.
Fang, Y., Chiu, C. and Wang, E.T.G. (2011), “Understanding customers’ satisfaction and repurchase intentions: An integration of IS success model, trust, and justice”, Internet Research, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Vol. 21 No. 4, pp. 479–503, doi: 10.1108/10662241111158335.
Fazal-e-Hasan, S.M., Amrollahi, A., Mortimer, G., Adapa, S. and Balaji, M.S. (2021), “A multi-method approach to examining consumer intentions to use smart retail technology”, Computers in Human Behavior, Vol. 117, p. 106622, doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2020.106622.
Fishbein, M. and Ajzen, I. (1975), , Addison-Wesley.
Flavián, C., Gurrea, R. and Orús, C. (2020), “Combining channels to make smart purchases: The role of webrooming and showrooming”, Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Vol. 52, p. 101923, doi: 10.1016/j.jretconser.2019.101923.
Fornari, E., Fornari, D., Grandi, S., Menegatti, M. and Hofacker, C.F. (2016), “Adding store to web: migration and synergy effects in multichannel retailing”, International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Vol. 44 No. 6, pp. 658–674, doi: 10.1108/IJRDM-07-2015-0103.
Gensler, S., Verhoef, P.C. and Böhm, M. (2012), “Understanding consumers’ multichannel choices across the different stages of the buying process”, Marketing Letters, Vol. 23 No. 4, pp. 987–1003, doi: 10.1007/s11002-012-9199-9.
Gómez Suárez, M., Quinones, M. and Yagüe, M. (2020), “Targeting smart shoppers: a cross-country model”, Journal of Business Economics and Management, Vol. 21, pp. 679–705, doi: 10.3846/jbem.2020.11851.
Harris, P., Dall’Olmo Riley, F., Riley, D. and Hand, C. (2017), “Online and store patronage: a typology of grocery shoppers”, International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, Emerald Publishing Limited, Vol. 45 No. 4, pp. 419–445, doi: 10.1108/IJRDM-06-2016-0103.
Henseler, J., Hubona, G. and Ray, P.A. (2016), “Using PLS path modeling in new technology research: updated guidelines”, Industrial Management & Data Systems, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Vol. 116 No. 1, pp. 2–20, doi: 10.1108/IMDS-09-2015-0382.
Huang, J., Zhou, J., Liao, G., Mo, F. and Wang, H. (2017), “Investigation of Chinese students’ O2O shopping through multiple devices”, Computers in Human Behavior, Vol. 75, pp. 58–69, doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2017.04.050.
Juaneda-Ayensa, E., Mosquera, A. and Sierra Murillo, Y. (2016), “Omnichannel Customer Behavior: Key Drivers of Technology Acceptance and Use and Their Effects on Purchase Intention”, Frontiers in Psychology, Vol. 7, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01117.
Kazancoglu, I. and Aydin, H. (2018), “An investigation of consumers’ purchase intentions towards omni-channel shopping: A qualitative exploratory study”, International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, Emerald Publishing Limited, Vol. 46 No. 10, pp. 959–976, doi: 10.1108/IJRDM-04-2018-0074.
Kumar, A., Bezawada, R. and Trivedi, M. (2018), “The Effects of Multichannel Shopping on Customer Spending, Customer Visit Frequency, and Customer Profitability”, Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, The University of Chicago Press, Vol. 3 No. 3, pp. 294–311, doi: 10.1086/698876.
Kumar, V. and Venkatesan, R. (2005), “Who are the multichannel shoppers and how do they perform?: Correlates of multichannel shopping behavior”, Journal of Interactive Marketing, Vol. 19 No. 2, pp. 44–62, doi: 10.1002/dir.20034.
Kushwaha, T. and Shankar, V. (2013), “Are Multichannel Customers Really more Valuable? The Moderating Role of Product Category Characteristics”, Journal of Marketing, SAGE Publications Inc, Vol. 77 No. 4, pp. 67–85, doi: 10.1509/jm.11.0297.
Lazaris, C., Sarantopoulos, P., Vrechopoulos, A. and Doukidis, G. (2021), “Effects of Increased Omnichannel Integration on Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty Intentions”, International Journal of Electronic Commerce, Routledge, Vol. 25 No. 4, pp. 440–468, doi: 10.1080/10864415.2021.1967005.
Leenheer, J., van Heerde, H.J., Bijmolt, T.H.A. and Smidts, A. (2007), “Do loyalty programs really enhance behavioral loyalty? An empirical analysis accounting for self-selecting members”, International Journal of Research in Marketing, Vol. 24 No. 1, pp. 31–47, doi: 10.1016/j.ijresmar.2006.10.005.
Li, X., Dahana, W.D., Li, T. and Yuan, J. (2021), “Behavioral changes of multichannel customers: Their persistence and influencing factors”, Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Vol. 58, p. 102335, doi: 10.1016/j.jretconser.2020.102335.
Limayem, M., Khalifa, M. and Frini, A. (2000), “What makes consumers buy from Internet? A longitudinal study of online shopping”, IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics - Part A: Systems and Humans, presented at the IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics - Part A: Systems and Humans, Vol. 30 No. 4, pp. 421–432, doi: 10.1109/3468.852436.
Melis, K., Campo, K., Lamey, L. and Breugelmans, E. (2016), “A Bigger Slice of the Multichannel Grocery Pie: When Does Consumers’ Online Channel Use Expand Retailers’ Share of Wallet?”, Journal of Retailing, Vol. 92 No. 3, pp. 268–286, doi: 10.1016/j.jretai.2016.05.001.
Montaguti, E., Neslin, S.A. and Valentini, S. (2015), “Can Marketing Campaigns Induce Multichannel Buying and More Profitable Customers? A Field Experiment”, Marketing Science, INFORMS, doi: 10.1287/mksc.2015.0923.
Neslin, S.A. (2022), “The omnichannel continuum: Integrating online and offline channels along the customer journey”, Journal of Retailing, p. S0022435922000112, doi: 10.1016/j.jretai.2022.02.003.
Neslin, S.A., Grewal, D., Leghorn, R., Shankar, V., Teerling, M.L., Thomas, J.S. and Verhoef, P.C. (2006), “Challenges and Opportunities in Multichannel Customer Management”, Journal of Service Research, SAGE Publications Inc, Vol. 9 No. 2, pp. 95–112, doi: 10.1177/1094670506293559.
“Omni-Channel Shoppers: An Emerging Retail Reality”. (n.d.). Think with Google, available at: https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/intl/en-gb/consumer-insights/consumer-journey/omni-channel-shoppers-an-emerging-retail-reality/ (accessed 1 December 2022).
Pallant, J.I., Sands, S.J., Ferraro, C.R. and Pallant, J.L. (2020), “Self-selection and purchase value of research shoppers”, International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, Emerald Publishing Limited, Vol. 48 No. 8, pp. 845–863, doi: 10.1108/IJRDM-12-2019-0387.
Pantano, E. and Viassone, M. (2015), “Engaging consumers on new integrated multichannel retail settings: Challenges for retailers”, Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Vol. 25, pp. 106–114, doi: 10.1016/j.jretconser.2015.04.003.
Park, J. and Thangam, D. (2019), “What Makes Customers Repurchase Grocery Products from Online Stores in Korea”, International Journal of E-Business Research, Vol. 15, pp. 24–39, doi: 10.4018/IJEBR.2019100102.
Quinones, M., Gómez Suárez, M. and Yagüe, M. (2019), “Conceptualization and Measurement of Smart Shopping”, pp. 211–225, doi: 10.4018/978-1-5225-7856-7.ch011.
Rademaker, M. and Schuberth, F. (2020), “cSEM: Composite-Based Structural Equation Modeling”.
Rippé, C.B., Weisfeld-Spolter, S., Yurova, Y. and Sussan, F. (2015), “Is there a global multichannel consumer?”, edited by Dr Nina Michaelidou, P.N.R., Dr Luke Greenacre and Dr Louise M. HassanInternational Marketing Review, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Vol. 32 No. 3/4, pp. 329–349, doi: 10.1108/IMR-10-2013-0225.
Singh, S. and Jang, S. (2022), “Search, purchase, and satisfaction in a multiple-channel environment: How have mobile devices changed consumer behaviors?”, Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Vol. 65, p. 102200, doi: 10.1016/j.jretconser.2020.102200.
Sopadjieva, E., Dholakia, U.M. and Benjamin, B. (2017), “A Study of 46,000 Shoppers Shows That Omnichannel Retailing Works”, Harvard Business Review, 3 January.
Thomas, J.S. and Sullivan, U.Y. (2005), “Managing Marketing Communications with Multichannel Customers”, Journal of Marketing, SAGE Publications Inc, Vol. 69 No. 4, pp. 239–251, doi: 10.1509/jmkg.2005.69.4.239.
Venkatesan, R., Kumar, V. and Ravishanker, N. (2007), “Multichannel Shopping: Causes and Consequences”, Journal of Marketing, SAGE Publications Inc, Vol. 71 No. 2, pp. 114–132, doi: 10.1509/jmkg.71.2.114.
Verhoef, P.C., Kannan, P.K. and Inman, J.J. (2015), “From Multichannel Retailing to Omni-Channel Retailing”, Journal of Retailing, Vol. 91 No. 2, pp. 174–181, doi: 10.1016/j.jretai.2015.02.005.
Verhoef, P.C., Neslin, S.A. and Vroomen, B. (2007), “Multichannel customer management: Understanding the research-shopper phenomenon”, International Journal of Research in Marketing, Vol. 24 No. 2, pp. 129–148, doi: 10.1016/j.ijresmar.2006.11.002.
Wiener, M., Hoßbach, N. and Saunders, C. (2018), “Omnichannel businesses in the publishing and retailing industries: Synergies and tensions between coexisting online and offline business models”, Decision Support Systems, Vol. 109, pp. 15–26, doi: 10.1016/j.dss.2018.01.008.
Wolf, L. and Steul-Fischer, M. (2022), “Factors of customers’ channel choice in an omnichannel environment: a systematic literature review”, Management Review Quarterly, doi: 10.1007/s11301-022-00281-w.
Wong, C.-S. and Law, K.S. (1999), “Testing Reciprocal Relations by Non-recursive Structuralequation Models Using Cross-Sectional Data”, Organizational Research Methods, SAGE Publications Inc, Vol. 2 No. 1, pp. 69–87, doi: 10.1177/109442819921005.
Wu, Z., Aw, E.C.-X. and Chuah, S.H.-W. (2023), “Webrooming as the new retail experience: a smart-shopping perspective”, International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, Emerald Publishing Limited, Vol. 51 No. 6, pp. 736–754, doi: 10.1108/IJRDM-09-2022-0352.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 TEC EMPRESARIAL

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.






