Class project sheds light on shopping

Consumer behavior class sheds light on local shopping habits

News contact: Laura Hancock | University Advancement | 541-962-3585 or lhancock@eou.edu
Source contact: Shari Carpenter | Associate Professor of Business | 541-962-3616 or scarpent@eou.edu 

March 3, 2015

LA GRANDE, Ore. (EOU) – Students in a consumer behavior class at Eastern Oregon University will share results of a new study on “Regional buying behavior: why we shop where we do” Friday, March 13.

The free public presentation starts at 8 a.m. at the Stage Door in the Liberty Theatre at 1010 Adams Ave. Entrance is in the alley.

The multifaceted project of the class taught by Shari Carpenter, Ph.D., associate professor of business, is aimed at helping downtown La Grande merchants better understand their customers. Students will discuss data collected from a series of surveys, revealing details that can be used to help businesses serve their customers.

Data collection began with students self-monitoring their own purchasing habits. Then the class created and conducted surveys including the demographics of high school students, EOU students, and staff and faculty at EOU. Each survey was targeted toward the survey group, but had the same goal of recording and analyzing purchasing behaviors.

The final phase of the project included surveys for the larger community with the end goal of gaining a comprehensive view of shopping attitudes and behaviors regarding downtown businesses.

For more information contact Carpenter at 541-962-3616 or scarpent@eou.edu.