Direct marketing as a solution to unsafe retail shopping

Abstract

Fear of crime has become an important issue, largely because of its perceived effects on people’s social behaviour. The purpose of this article is to focus on the impact of crime on South African consumers and on how the retail environment is influenced by the changes in social behaviour brought about by fear of victimisation. Special attention is paid to the implications for South African retailers because, in a society plagued by crime, retailers can consider direct marketing as a value-added shopping channel to consumers in need of a safer alternative. The main findings of an exploratory study indicate that those who have been victims of crime at a store or shopping
centre, and especially women, are more sensitive to safety concerns while shopping.