Mexican cross-border shoppers' motivations to the USA

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the patterns of cross-border consumption of Mexican tourist-shoppers to the USA. More specifically, integrating literature from two ends – retail studies on shopping motivations and tourism research viewing cross-border shopping as leisure activities, this study aims to investigate the motivations of Mexican travelers as cross-border shoppers.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey instrument was developed incorporating a set of 30 shopping motivation questions. Data were collected using the intercept survey methodology from 92 Mexican visitors who shopped at a major outlet shopping center in Central Texas in 2007. The motivational items were subsequently factor analyzed for possible underlying dimensions.

Findings

Motivations of cross-border shopping by Mexicans in Texas demonstrated a combination of two aspects, the utilitarian and pleasurable shopping experiences. The cross-border consumption and shopping by Mexican residents in Texas, therefore, were both functional and recreational.

Originality/value

With a better understanding of the pattern and motivations of cross-border shopping, this study developed a model to capture the stimulating influence of the retail environment as well as a framework to illustrate the integrated role of shopping and tourism in the process of developing a “must visit” destination.

Citation

(Jessica) Yuan, J., C. Fowler, D., K. Goh, B. and K. Lauderdale, M. (2013), "Mexican cross-border shoppers' motivations to the USA", International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research, Vol. 7 No. 4, pp. 394-410. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCTHR-02-2013-0004