HomePsychology and Education: A Multidisciplinary Journalvol. 49 no. 3 (2025)

Customer Engagement, Satisfaction, Retention, and Repurchase Intentions as Mediated by Marketing Strategies

Haifei Liu | Gynnyn G. Gumban

Discipline: business studies

 

Abstract:

This study investigates how marketing strategies mediate the relationships among customer engagement, satisfaction, retention, and repurchase intentions in the retail sector of Guangxi City, China. Guided by the Service-Dominant Logic (SDL) theory and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) framework, the research adopts a descriptive-correlational design involving 385 customers and 50 retail owners or staff. Data were collected through a researcher-made questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation at a 0.05 significance level. Results reveal significant positive relationships among engagement, satisfaction, retention, and repurchase intentions, indicating that well-implemented digital marketing strategies enhance these customer relationship dimensions. Findings also confirm that marketing strategies play a mediating role between customer engagement and retention, as well as between satisfaction and repurchase intention. Specifically, social media marketing, loyalty programs, and personalized digital content emerged as the most effective drivers of engagement and loyalty. The study highlights that integrating customer-centric and data-driven marketing practices fosters sustainable business growth and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8, 9, and 12. It concludes that businesses that effectively leverage digital marketing strategies can enhance customer value co-creation, satisfaction, and loyalty, contributing to long-term competitiveness in the retail industry.



References:

  1. Abboud, L., Smith, R., & Zhang, T. (2019). The role of customer satisfaction in digital marketing and brand loyalty. Journal of Digital Marketing Research, 12(3), 45–62.
  2. Ahmad, N., Khan, M., & Shailaja, M. (2023). Social exchange theory in digital marketing: A consumer perspective. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 37(4), 232–248.
  3. Brodie, R. J., Hollebeek, L. D., Juric, B., & Ilić, A. (2013). Customer engagement: Conceptual domain, fundamental propositions, and implications for research. Journal of Service Research, 14(3), 252–271.
  4. Calder, B. J., Malthouse, E. C., & Schaedel, U. (2009). An experimental study of the relationship between online engagement and advertising effectiveness. Journal of Interactive Marketing, 23(4), 321–331.
  5. Cervera, A., & Moliner, M. A. (2021). Sustainability messaging in digital marketing: Building brand trust and loyalty. Journal of Marketing and Sustainability, 16(2), 112–130.
  6. Chaffey, D., & Ellis-Chadwick, F. (2019). Digital marketing: Strategy, implementation, and practice (7th ed.). Pearson.
  7. Chen, K., & Tsai, Y. (2007). Customer satisfaction as a mediator between engagement and loyalty in online retailing. E-Commerce Research and Applications, 6(4), 432–444.
  8. Deloitte. (2024). Consumer loyalty survey: The role of personalization in customer retention. Deloitte Insights.
  9. Fatima, S., & Gupron, P. (2024). Impact of digital marketing strategies on customer satisfaction and loyalty: A systematic review. International Journal of Marketing and Business Strategy, 19(2), 78–95.
  10. Hollebeek, L. D. (2011). Exploring customer brand engagement: Definition and themes. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 19(7), 555–573.
  11. Huang, Z., & Benyoucef, M. (2013). From e-commerce to social commerce: A close look at design features. Electronic Commerce Research and Applications, 12(4), 246–259.
  12. Ibrahim, M., Liu, Q., & Zhang, H. (2024). Personalization in digital marketing: Enhancing customer engagement and satisfaction. Journal of Business Research, 20(1), 92–108.
  13. Ivanov, S., & Webster, C. (2020). Artificial intelligence and its impact on digital marketing strategies. AI & Society, 35(2), 195–210.
  14. Jain, R., Gupta, S., & Sharma, A. (2021). Personalized Marketing Strategies: Impact on Customer Satisfaction and Engagement Journal of Marketing Insights, 18(5), 67–82.
  15. Kumar, V., & Shah, D. (2004). Building and sustaining profitable customer loyalty for the 21st century. Journal of Retailing, 80(4), 317–330.
  16. Leong, L. Y., Hew, T. S., Tan, G. W. H., & Ooi, K. B. (2024). Digital customer experience and satisfaction: A TAM and expectancy-disconfirmation approach. Journal of Consumer Behavior, 27(2), 104–123.
  17. Li, W. (2020). Alibaba’s Double 11 shopping festival: A case study of digital marketing success in China. Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Strategy, 15(3), 183–197.
  18. Mende, M., Bolton, R. N., & Bitner, M. J. (2019). Customer Engagement and Emotional Connections in Digital Marketing Journal of Service Research, 22(2), 156–173.
  19. Nguyen, D., Lee, J., & Park, S. (2020). Personalized marketing in higher education: Enhancing student engagement and retention. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 23(4), 45–58.
  20. Oliver, R. L. (1999). Whence consumer loyalty? Journal of Marketing, 63(4), 33–44.
  21. Or, C. (2024). Technology Acceptance and Its Role in Digital Consumer Engagement. Journal of Technology and Consumer Behavior, 29(1), 15–31.
  22. Pulizzi, J. (2019). Content marketing strategy: The power of storytelling in digital marketing. Wiley.
  23. Seuring, S., & Müller, M. (2021). Supply chain transparency and digital marketing strategies for sustainability. Journal of Sustainable Marketing, 18(1), 93–112.
  24. Tregua, M., Dalli, D., & Vargo, S. L. (2021). Service-dominant logic and customer value co-creation in digital marketing. Journal of Business Research, 19(3), 27–45.
  25. Verhoef, P. C., Broekhuizen, T., Bart, Y., Bhattacharya, A., Dong, J. Q., & Zhang, L. (2021). The digital transformation of marketing: Implications for consumer behavior and loyalty. Journal of Marketing, 85(1), 14–36.
  26. Wu, J. (2020). Artificial intelligence and big data in Chinese retail digital transformation. International Journal of Retail and Distribution Management, 48(6), 545–561.
  27. Yang, X., & Luo, Y. (2019). The rise of mobile commerce and its impact on digital marketing strategies in China. China Business Review, 22(4), 102–121.
  28. Zeithaml, V. A., Bitner, M. J., & Gremler, D. D. (2020). Services marketing: Integrating customer focus across the firm (8th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
  29. Zhang, H., Li, Q., & Xu, Y. (2021). Social media engagement and brand loyalty: A study on Weibo and WeChat users. Journal of Digital Consumer Research, 15(3), 76–94.
  30. Zhao, L. (2020). Perfect Diary’s digital marketing strategy: Leveraging influencers and social media in China’s beauty industry. Asian Journal of Business and Marketing, 12(2), 150–167.
  31. Å»yminkowska, M. (2019). The mediating role of customer satisfaction in digital marketing and loyalty relationships. Journal of Interactive Marketing Research, 11(3), 120–135