Analysis of Consumer Behavior toward and Preferences for Prunus mume (Maesil), the Chinese Plum

매실에 대한 소비자 선호 및 소비행태분석

  • Baek, Jong-Hi (Department of Management, Hankyong National University) ;
  • Choi, Jeong-Im (Department of Management, Hankyong National University)
  • Received : 2010.04.19
  • Accepted : 2010.10.01
  • Published : 2010.10.30

Abstract

We sought to define the main motivational factors promoting consumption of Prunus mume products. We surveyed both specialized high-volume consumers and public consumers, and focused on consumption of and preferences for Prunus mume and Prunus mume products. We investigated how products were preferentially consumed, purchase experience, purchase location, purchase price, consumption experience, factors important in a purchase decision, preference factors, dissatisfaction factors, consumption outlook, comments on new processed foods, and activation of consumption. A total of 534 responses were received and data were analyzed using the SAS program (Version 9.1) of the Frequency test; Chi-square test was used to detect significant factors. A greater percentage of high-volume(compared with low-volume) consumers processed personal products at home. The public consumer tended to buy commercial products. However, public consumers who were older, who had higher incomes, and who were heads of households, tended to both buy commercial products and to prepare foods at home. The common purchase methods used by high-volume consumers were internet and direct marketing, but the public consumer frequented department stores and hypermarkets. High-volume consumers observed that commercial products were expensive, and such consumers seemed to be particularly cost-sensitive. The decisive factor triggering purchase decisions in high-volume consumers was the geographical origin of the fruit, whereas the public consumer was more concerned with taste. In public, positive factors were that the product was good for health and had a pleasant taste. Some of those surveyed complained of a lack of variety in Prunus mume products and that the amount of Prunus mume in certain products was low. To promote and increase consumption, convenient-to-eat products with healthy images are needed.

본 논문에서는 매실의 소비촉진을 위한 주요 동기와 요인을 찾기 위하여 관심소비자층과 일반소비자층으로 나누어 조사하였다. 특히 열매매실과 매실가공식품에 대한 소비실태 및 선호도를 조사하였다. 설문내용은 섭취방법, 구매경험, 구매경로, 구매가격, 소비경험, 구매결정요인, 선호요인, 불만족요인, 소비전망, 새로운 가공식품과 소비활성화에 대한 의견 등이었다. 총 534명에게서 응답을 받았으며 SAS program(Version 9.1)의 frequency test, Chi-square test를 이용하여 검증하였다. 설문분석결과 관심집단은 열매매실을 직접 구매하여 집에서 제조하는 비율이 높았고 일반집단은 시중에 판매되는 제품의 이용률이 높았다. 그러나 일반집단에서도 연령이 많을수록, 소득이 높을수록, 가구원수가 많을수록 열매매실을 구매하여 집에서 직접 제조하는 것으로 나타났다. 구매경로에 있어서는 인터넷과 직거래 이용률이 높았으나 일반집단에서는 백화점이나 대형마트도 많이 이용한다고 응답했다. 구매가격에 대해서는 일반 집단보다 관심집단이 더 비싸다고 응답했으며 가격에 더 민감한 것으로 나타났다. 소비경험에 있어서도 다양한 매실제품을 경험하지 못하는 것으로 나타났다. 구매결정요인으로는 관심집단은 원산지, 일반집단은 맛이라고 가장 많이 응답하였다. 선호요인은 건강에 좋고 맛과 향이 좋다는 점이었으며, 불만족요인은 제품이 다양하지 못하고 매실함량이 적다는 점이었다. 일반집단이 관심집단에 비해 맛에 더 민감한 것으로 나타났다. 소비가 촉진되고 활성화되기 위해서는 소비자가 편리하게 접하고 먹을 수 있는 제품과 건강 이미지제품의 개발이 필요한 것으로 조사되었다. 또한 홍보와 더불어 소비자와 가까운 시장을 확보하여 자주 접할 수 있는 기회의 제공이 중요한 것으로 조사되었다. 이러한 조사결과는 향후 일반소비자집단들의 매실소비가 관심소비자집단의 소비유형으로 이전되어 가리라는 것을 예측할 수 있다. 즉 일반소비자가 관심집단의 유형으로 변함에 따라 매실소비가 증대되어질 것으로 판단된다.

Keywords

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