Style investing has been developed in behaviral finance literature. In style investing, the investors first classify the investment options based common attribute and then buy their target asset from the selected group. This common attribute is called "style". In this research, the use of "industry" as a style in "style investing" has been survied. Correlation of Retail investors transactions at the industry level was investigated by controlling variables of size and book value to market value. In order to test the research hypotheses, a sample of 8 milions transactions related to 335 firms was selected through a systematic elimination from the listed firms in the Tehran Stock Exchange between 2008 and 2014. The results showed that industry is used as a "style" by Retail investors. In addition, the use of size and book value as a "style" was observed.

Customer experience is defined as the direct or indirect experience of the customer from the service, organization, and facilities process, and how the customer interacts with the company's services and other customers. There has not been much research on the concept of customer experience. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative research is to investigate what the customer experience is in the Retail industry. The research data were collected through snowball sampling and interviews with 12 of the most recent consumers of Pagan dairy products. Then these data were coded, categorized and described and the conceptual map of the themes was drawn up. The main themes identified in this research are as follows: 1) Product familiarity 2) Advertising 3) Appearance of the product 4) Taste 5) Innovation and change 6) Distribution channel 7) Consultation 8) Mindfulness of customers 9) ) Customer engagement with product. The customer experience is a novelty in the field of marketing, which the researchers tried to cover to some extent the theoretical vacuum.

Objective Sustainability auditing is a systematic and independent process for evaluating an organization's performance in various areas of sustainability, including environmental, social, and economic aspects. The purpose of this type of audit is to identify the organization's strengths and weaknesses in these areas, provide solutions to improve performance, and ensure compliance with legal requirements and international standards. This qualitative research aims to present a sustainability audit model in the Retail industry.   Methodology This study applies the Cranhelm and Gold-Kohl multiple-database method. Its participants include academic experts in auditing and accounting, as well as representatives from private-sector Retail companies, selected through a theoretical sampling method. A semi-structured interview approach was employed to identify the key categories of the sustainability audit model within the Retail industry. Using this method, in-depth interviews were conducted with 25 auditing and accounting experts, through which the necessary data were collected.   Findings In this study, five categories (central category, individual and organizational support platforms, economic and social contexts, individual and occupational and organizational barriers, individual and organizational outcomes and consequences) and 25 concepts were extracted in the inductive coding stage. Then, conceptual refinement, pattern coding (model presentation), theoretical adaptation of the model, empirical validation and evaluation of theoretical coherence of the model and theory enrichment were described.   Conclusion One of the primary reasons for the necessity of sustainability auditing in companies is its potential to identify operational inefficiencies and generate financial savings. Sustainability auditing can identify opportunities to save energy, reduce waste, and save water. By implementing changes aimed at reducing their environmental impact, companies can lower utility expenses and decrease overall operating costs. Also, sustainability auditing can help companies maintain their social license to operate. Consumers are aware of the effects of their purchasing decisions on the environment and society. By improving their sustainability practices, companies can enhance their reputation and build trust with customers, employees, and other stakeholders.

Objective: In order to understand the strategic importance of reputation, measuring the reputation of companies has gained special importance; Although researchers have proposed several dimensions to measure the company's reputation, they have clearly defined the relationship between these dimensions with antecedents and consequences, and the researchers in this research are seeking to achieve it in the banking industry, specifically Retail banking.Method: The study's statistical population consists of customers from the Sepah, Tose Tawon, Tejarat, Mellat, Saderat, Pasargad, Parsian, Saman, and Egtdes Novin banks in Tehran. A cluster sampling method was employed to evaluate the customers in Tehran. Within each cluster, a stratified sampling approach was utilized, and for each class within the clusters, a non-probability sampling method was applied. Ultimately, a total of 318 questionnaires were collected. In order to analyze the questionnaire data using structural equation modeling was performed by using SMART-PLS software.Results: The results show that satisfaction has a significant and positive effect on trust; and trust has significant and positive effects on all sub-variables of reputation. Also, about the consequences variables, the results show that just two sub-variables of reputation (customer orientation and service quality) have a significant and positive effect on loyalty; and loyalty has a significant and positive effect on word of mouth. According to results of effect, the antecedent variables have most effect on service quality; also, customer orientation has most effect on consequences variables.Conclusions: According to the results of the present study, bank reputation includes two dimensions of service quality and customer orientation, which, relying on the source-based theory and signaling, provides a basis for a formative/ reflective approach to this phenomenon in future research, because the identification of this approach can contribute significantly to the development of theoretical literature in this field.

Objective In the evolving landscape of Retail, consumers are increasingly adopting omnichannel behavior to optimize their shopping experience. One prominent behavior within this context is webrooming, which refers to the act of researching products online but completing the purchase in a physical store. This behavior presents both an opportunity and a challenge for businesses: while it signifies consumer interest, it also implies potential lost sales for e-commerce platforms. Despite the widespread presence of webrooming globally, its antecedents and underlying mechanisms remain underexplored in emerging markets, particularly in Iran. In Iran’s Retail environment, which is characterized by rapid digitalization coupled with persistent infrastructural and trust-related barriers, understanding webrooming is crucial. Cultural preferences, digital literacy gaps, and infrastructure deficiencies contribute to unique consumer behaviors. The present study responds to this research gap by qualitatively identifying the factors that influence webrooming behavior among Iranian consumers in the online Retail sector. The main goal of this study is to identify and categorize the underlying drivers of webrooming behavior in the context of Iran's developing online Retail sector. More specifically, the study aims to: Determine the psychological, technological, social, and demographic factors that lead consumers to engage in webrooming. Develop a conceptual framework that integrates these drivers into coherent categories. Offer practical recommendations for online Retailers to reduce the adverse impact of webrooming on e-commerce performance. Contribute to the academic literature on omnichannel Retailing with context-specific insights from a developing country. Research Methodology A qualitative, exploratory research design was employed, given the limited empirical evidence on webrooming in the Iranian context. Data collection involved semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 24 domain experts, including university professors in marketing and strategy, executives of Retail chains, and specialists in e-commerce and digital business models. Participants were selected through purposive and snowball sampling to ensure they had significant professional experience (minimum of five years) in the Retail and digital commerce sectors. The interviews, each lasting 45 to 60 minutes, were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic content analysis. The coding process was supported by MaxQDA software and followed Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework: familiarization, coding, generating initial themes, reviewing themes, defining and naming themes, and producing the final report. Findings The analysis led to the extraction of 14 main themes and 80 sub-themes that collectively explain the drivers of webrooming behavior among Iranian consumers. The main thematic categories include: Benefits of Online Search: Consumers value the convenience, speed, and access to diverse product information, including user reviews and price comparisons. Benefits of Offline Purchase: Offline shopping allows for tactile product evaluation, instant acquisition, and interaction with knowledgeable sales personnel, enhancing buyer confidence. Perceived Risk: Concerns about fraud, fake products, payment insecurity, and return complexities drive consumers to finalize purchases offline. Weak Performance of Online Retailers: Poor interface design, insufficient product details, slow response rates, and lack of transparency reduce trust in online platforms. Anticipated Regret: Fear of dissatisfaction with the product quality, delivery delays, and return complications motivate webrooming behavior. Social and Cultural Factors: In Iran, traditional Retail is deeply embedded in consumer culture, and social shopping (shopping with friends or family) remains common. Technical Challenges in Online Shopping: Inadequate personalization, slow loading times, and complex checkout processes hinder seamless online experiences. Consumer Habits and Preferences: For many consumers, shopping is a leisure activity and a means of social engagement, making offline Retail attractive. Cognitive and Physical Effort Required: Some consumers perceive online shopping as requiring greater cognitive effort and digital literacy. Conservatism and Low Risk Tolerance: Risk-averse individuals often default to traditional channels to minimize uncertainty. Negative Word-of-Mouth: Negative experiences shared by others—particularly on social media—discourages online purchasing. Demographic Characteristics: Older individuals, those with lower education levels, and residents of non-urban areas are more likely to webroom. Product-Related Factors: Products with high complexity, high price, or lack of standardization are more likely to be purchased offline after online research. Intentions and Attitudes toward Webrooming: Some consumers intentionally leverage both channels for perceived optimal outcomes, viewing webrooming as a rational strategy.  These categories emerged with a high level of thematic saturation, indicating that the qualitative data collection was sufficient and robust. Discussion & Conclusion The findings demonstrate that webrooming is not merely a function of online-offline channel interaction, but rather a complex behavioral strategy rooted in risk mitigation, cultural norms, and perceived utility. Iranian consumers use online platforms primarily as informational tools rather than transactional channels, due to a persistent lack of trust in online payment systems and product authenticity. Furthermore, offline environments offer sensory and social experiences that digital platforms currently fail to replicate. Comparative analysis with prior studies (e.g., Arora & Sahney, 2019; Flavián et al., 2020) suggests both universal and context-specific drivers. While anticipated regret and information search benefits are global phenomena, trust issues and social shopping preferences are particularly salient in Iran. Additionally, the demographic influence on webrooming behavior—especially digital literacy and age—reflects the socio-economic heterogeneity of the Iranian market. This study contributes a comprehensive, contextually grounded understanding of the multifaceted drivers behind webrooming behavior in Iran’s online Retail industry. By identifying and categorizing 14 key dimensions, the research enhances theoretical models of omnichannel behavior and offers actionable insights for practitioners. To reduce webrooming and enhance online sales, Iranian e-commerce firms should: Strengthen platform security and payment reliability. Enhance product descriptions, images, and customer service channels. Implement user-friendly website design and mobile responsiveness. Offer hybrid models such as click-and-collect and in-store product trials. Future research may build on this framework through quantitative validation across various product categories and regional consumer segments.

This study investigates the relationship between the user interface and problem-solving towards the continuous intention to use the services. New products or services will always face tough challenges for the customer, especially when the new procedures require them to learn and change some behaviors. Chatbots are also facing the same situation in Malaysia, where customers refuse to accept using chatbots to represent their physical presence. To understand customer behaviors, a quantitative survey was designed. Four hundred twenty-two data were collected from the online survey method. As per the results, the predictors of chatbot continuous intention are user interface and problem-solving. Apart from that, this study also measures the role of mediator, namely trust and customer satisfaction. This study contributes to unique academic and practical insights that can be used to explore the effectiveness of chatbots. The results revealed that both predictors were significant towards the continuous intentions. Besides, the role of the mediator was found to be significant and relevant in the relationship between trust and customer satisfaction and customer satisfaction and trust towards continuous attention.

In this research, the application of "industry based style investing" and the momentum strategy among Retail investors have been studied. In style investing, selection process takes place in two steps. First, target style and then one of the members of target style are chosen. In this research, target style is industry. In industry based style invesing, the choice of investment is not based on the information of a particular firm, but with the attention of industry level information. A sample of 22 industries was selected through a systematic elimination from the listed firms in Tehran Stock Exchange between 2008 and 2014. The results showed that the industry is used as a "style" by Retail investors. However, the use of the momentum strategy among Retail investors has not been observed and is seen against the reverse strategy. It seems that in the industry level, negative news is more effective and herd behavior for selling is significant. High activity on sell side may be due to the pessimism of Retail investors.

one of the most important goals of chain store managers is to maintain the loyalty of customers and to repeat their purchase behavior so that they can increase their profitability in this competitive area and create special store brand value. The main goal of this research is to explain the Retail mix model in chain stores in the country. The present study is exploratory-applicative in terms of its purpose and has been carried out using a mixed (qualitative-quantitative) approach. In the qualitative part, using thematic analysis method and three stages of open, central and theoretical coding, 25 experts and managers of the country’s Retail industry were interviewed, who were selected by a judgmental and non-probability method, until reaching the theoretical saturation point. The conceptual model of the research was designed and compiled with 334 initial concepts, 24 categories and finally 7 main themes. In the quantitative section, according to the designed categories, a researcher-made questionnaire containing 36 items was compiled and distributed among the statistical population, consisting of the customers of Shahrvand stores in the cities of Tehran and Karaj. Finally, 386 completed questionnaires were analyzed and examined. After verifying the validity with the exploratory factor analysis method and reliability by Cronbach’s alpha, the verification questionnaire and its results were analyzed based on the confirmatory factor analysis test using AMOS software. The results indicate the confirmation of the concepts and categories identified in the form of the proposed research model.

Identifying the right strategy can help the Retail industry activists to gain competitive advantage and to improve them. Therefore, in order to solve the issues related to selection of appropriate sales strategies and predict the consequences of their implementation in this area, this study uses system dynamics approach to present a comprehensive model. In this regard, wit using the proposed model, the degree of profitability in the Retail industry has been investigated in accordance with sales strategic plans of activists in this industry. The simulation was done using Vensim DSS software and the findings of this study confirm that the Retail industry in accordance with developed strategies will be able to access 62% of profitability level by the end of the 2022. For this purpose, 5 scenarios have been presented to promote the degree of profitability of this industry. The results of simulation confirm that these scenarios can improved the degree of profitability in this industry to approximately 67. 5% to 80. 5%.