Abstract:
The research purpose was to study behavior of purchasing goods at a fresh-food market, an importance of marketing factor, economy factor, and social and cultural factors affecting behavior of purchasing goods at a fresh-food market as well as the study of the relationships between personal factor and behavior of purchasing goods at a fresh-food market. In addition, this research aimed to study the relationships between the factors of marketing, economic, society, culture and behavior of purchasing goods at a fresh-food market. Consumers opinions and recommendations concerning purchasing goods at a fresh-food market in Surat Thani Municipality were presented. The instrument was the questionnaire and the sample group was 400 consumers purchasing goods at a fresh-food market in Surat Thani Municipality. The data was analyzed to find out frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Chi-square.
The results were that most respondents were married female between 20-30 years old and got Bachelors degree. They earned 10,000-15,000 baht a month. They were merchants and had 3 family members. They were from other districts in Surat Thani. They bought goods and food at a fresh-food market in Surat Thani Municipality because of the varieties of fresh and clean food. Most goods and food were consumed within the family. Meat and sea food made a high popularity. Most of them went to a fresh-food market around 12.01-16.00 and 3-4 times a week. They spent over 500 baht a time. They knew a fresh-food market from friends. Marketing, economy, social, and cultural factors all affected the purchasing behavior in a high level. When each factor was considered separately, it was found that economy factor (product distribution /location, products, and price) and social and cultural factors affected the purchasing behavior in a high level. Marketing promotion, however, was in a neutral level. Every personal factor was related to the purchasing behavior in a statistical significance at 0.05 levels except gender. Every marketing, economy, social and cultural factor related to the purchasing behavior in a statistical significance at 0.05 levels except products and product distribution/location. Problems of purchasing goods in a fresh-food market were insufficient parking space, expensive goods, a dirty and stinking smell area and problems of a narrow area and water drainage. They suggested that a fresh-food market area should be clean and suitable for product distribution. There should have enough parking space and provide a program of product sales according to the economy and social change at present.