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Street vendors play an essential role in urban informal economies by fulfilling community needs and supporting local economic activity. This study analyzes the role of business ethics in building consumer trust among street vendors in Dumai, Indonesia. A qualitative descriptive method was applied using interviews, observation, and documentation involving three vendors and two consumers. Findings indicate that ethical practices such as honesty in transactions, responsibility for product quality, friendly service, and cleanliness of business premises improve consumer comfort and perceived safety. These conditions encourage repeat purchases, customer loyalty, and a positive reputation for vendors. Therefore, business ethics function not only as moral guidance but also as social capital supporting the sustainability of informal microenterprises. This study highlights that ethical behavior is crucial for strengthening long-term relationships between vendors and consumers in urban settings. Overall, implementing ethical standards contributes to sustainable small business development in informal sectors. It also improves public trust.

This study aims to analyze the role of brand equity in enhancing the competitiveness of batik sandal products at “Dinara Wooden Heel.” The research adopts a qualitative approach using a case study method to gain an in-depth understanding of how the elements of brand equity namely brand awareness, perceived quality, brand association, and brand loyalty are developed and utilized by the business actors. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with the business owner and consumers, direct observation, and documentation. The data analysis technique was conducted descriptively through the stages of data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The findings indicate that brand equity plays a significant role in improving the competitiveness of Dinara Wooden Heel. The dimensions of perceived quality and brand association serve as the primary strengths in creating competitive advantage through consistent product quality and culture-based differentiation. Meanwhile, brand awareness declined due to distribution limitations during the pandemic, but has gradually recovered through the utilization of social media. On the other hand, brand loyalty has been established through repeat purchases, although its management remains relatively informal. Overall, the four dimensions of brand equity are integrated in enhancing competitiveness through brand visibility, product differentiation, consumer trust, and customer loyalty.

This study aims to analyze the effect of price and product quality on purchasing decisions of Gudang Garam Signature Kretek cigarettes in the premium machine-made kretek segment. The Indonesian tobacco industry continues to face sustained regulatory pressure through excise tax increases and intensifying brand competition, prompting consumers to reassess purchasing decisions using both rational evaluation and experiential judgment. A quantitative correlational approach was employed in this study. Primary data were collected through structured Likert-scale questionnaires distributed to 100 active consumers of Gudang Garam Signature Kretek selected using purposive sampling techniques. Data analysis was conducted through validity testing, reliability testing, and multiple linear regression analysis using SPSS software. The results indicate that price and product quality have a positive and significant influence on purchasing decisions, both partially and simultaneously. Product quality emerged as the most dominant factor, suggesting that premium cigarette consumers prioritize consistent quality, taste, aroma, and overall consumption experience as the primary basis for decision-making. Meanwhile, price remains an important rational reference for assessing the fairness between perceived benefits and financial sacrifice. Simultaneously, both variables explain 50 percent of the variation in purchasing decisions, while the remaining variance is influenced by other factors outside the research model. These findings highlight that purchasing decisions in the premium cigarette market are shaped by a value-based assessment, where sustained product quality and adaptive pricing strategies play a critical role in maintaining consumer loyalty amid regulatory pressure and evolving market dynamics

The increasing trend of secondhand clothing consumption, commonly known as thrift shopping, reflects a major shift in consumer behavior. This study aims to analyze the influence of product quality, price, and lifestyle on consumers’ purchase decisions for secondhand clothing at the Tugu Pahlawan Sunday Morning Market in Surabaya. This research employed a quantitative approach using a non-probability sampling design. Primary data were obtained from 167 respondents through structured questionnaires utilizing a five-point Likert scale. Data analysis was conducted using multiple linear regression with the support of SPSS software, preceded by validity, reliability, and classical assumption tests. The results show that product quality, price, and lifestyle simultaneously have a significant influence on purchase decisions. Partially, product quality and lifestyle have a positive and significant effect, while price shows a weaker but still significant influence. These findings indicate that consumers’ decisions to purchase secondhand clothing are not solely driven by low prices but also influenced by perceived product quality and lifestyle preferences. This study contributes to the understanding of consumer behavior in informal markets and provides practical implications for business practitioners and policymakers to enhance sustainable consumption patterns.

This study aims to analyze rebranding strategies and marketing communication in building the brand equity of Kopi Bawang Dayak as a regional flagship product. Kopi Bawang Dayak is a local product innovation based on the indigenous wisdom of Kalimantan that has functional and economic potential; however, it still faces challenges such as weak brand identity, unclear positioning, and ineffective marketing communication. This research adopts a qualitative approach using a descriptive method. Data collection techniques include interviews with business actors and consumers, observations of visual identity and promotional media, documentation, and literature review. The results indicate that rebranding strategies implemented through logo updates, packaging redesign, and the reinforcement of local values are able to enhance brand awareness and brand associations among consumers of Kopi Bawang Dayak. Furthermore, marketing communication that emphasizes storytelling, health benefits, and local cultural values through social media contributes to increasing perceived quality and building consumer trust. The synergy between rebranding strategies and marketing communication is proven to play a significant role in strengthening the brand equity of Kopi Bawang Dayak. This study concludes that integrating local identity with modern marketing approaches is a key factor in enhancing the competitiveness of regional flagship products in broader markets.

Business competition in the culinary sector continues to increase along with changes in people's consumption patterns towards ready-to-eat food. One product that is quite popular is fried dim sum, which is known for its variety of flavors and relatively affordable prices. In this competitive environment, understanding how consumers perceive product price and quality is crucial for businesses to maintain and increase customer interest in purchasing goods. Consumer perceptions of product price and quality when they choose fried dim sum are the subject of this study. Informants were selected purposively in this study, which used a qualitative and descriptive approach, namely consumers who have purchased and consumed fried dim sum products. Data collection methods included comprehensive interviews, direct observation, and supporting documentation. The collected data were analyzed using an interactive analysis model developed by Miles and Huberman through steps such as data reduction, data presentation, and discovery. The results show that consumers view price as an indicator related to the affordability and suitability of the product value. Price is considered acceptable if it is commensurate with perceived quality. In addition, product quality, including taste, texture, cleanliness, and packaging, is a primary factor considered before making a purchase. Positive perceptions of product quality increase customer trust and encourage repeat purchases. This study concluded that customer perceptions or opinions about price and product quality influence fried dim sum purchasing decisions. Therefore, culinary businesses need to prioritize proportional pricing and maintain consistent product quality to enhance business competitiveness.