FACTORS INFLUENCING THE CHOICE OF MAIZE FLOUR BRANDS BY CONSUMERS IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY KENYA

Abstract

Consumer behaviour is the focus on the processes a consumer uses to make purchase
decisions, as well as to use and dispose of purchased goods or services. Understanding consumer
behaviour is one of the largest challenges a business can face. The maize milling sector in Kenya is
very competitive, mainly because of its low entry barriers leading to price as the only competing
factor. With turnover and earnings driven primarily by market share and capacity utilization, the
major determinant of success among its players is organic growth and cost leadership. The success
of each individual company is dependent on its ability to gain market share and this has made the
industry players to go through various lengths to increase capacity and to manage their costs. This
study sought to determine the factors that influence the choice of maize flour brands by consumers
in Nairobi, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research method. The population of the study
comprised of 80 retail customers receiving services in four selected supermarket in Nairobi. The
selected supermarkets were Nakumatt, Uchumi, Tuskys and Naivas. The study used questionnaires,
which were given to customers buying flour in the supermarkets to fill. Data was analyzed using
descriptive statistics whereby frequencies and percentages, generated from the various data
categories were computed and presented in graphs, pie charts, and tables. The study found that
various factors such as price, perceived quality, the level of income, and the social cultural aspects
influence the choice of maize flour brands by consumers in Nairobi. Thus, this study recommends
that disparities resulting from the difference in their purchasing power should be utilized properly
by the maize millers by producing brands that suit different classes in the society.