ABSTRACT
Our aim is to describe some patterns of consumer behaviour which are relevant to retailers and marketers. Illustration is in terms of the US coffee market using data from the MRCA consumer panel. To this end, a short account of the retail distribution system is first provided. We then investigate how consumers behave; this is done by looking at store patronage, how often customers buy at a store and elsewhere, the effect of increasing the analysis period and similarities between stores.
