MARKETING MIX IN A BUYING NETWORK: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE PERCEPTIONS OF MANAGERS AND ASSOCIATES IN A SUPERMARKET NETWORK

Abstract

The formation of purchasing networks is a strategy increasingly used by small retailers. But this format has an impact on the administration of the participating companies, who are acting in a collective context, where decisions are made based on the interests of a group, and not just observing individual needs. One of the areas heavily affected in this context is marketing, as members tend to delegate to the network part of the responsibility of their marketing actions. This study examined the impact of this situation on the traditional elements of the marketing mix: product, price, communication and distribution. The case study was conducted in a purchasing network formed by small supermarkets, comparing the perceptions of managers and associates about the subject. Initially semi-structured interviews were performed with administrators, with subsequent qualitative analysis of responses by analyzing speech with categorization. Then associates managers responded to quantitative research through questionnaires, where the data were analyzed by calculating correlation and determination coefficient, and frequency distribution. The results indicated a positive correlation between the use of the network and the level of satisfaction of members, and demonstrate that the marketing mix of retailers participating was strongly impacted by the actions of the network, and that there is a convergence of perceptions as to the marketing actions developed, considered appropriate and positive for the group, except with regard to the adoption of private label products.