With the vigorous development of the pet economy, an in-depth investigation into consumers’ purchase intention of pet products is crucial to the development of the industry. Based on the SOR (Stimulus-Organism-Response) theory, this paper constructs a research model of consumers’ purchase intention of pet products and puts forward the following hypotheses: external stimuli such as product factors positively affect emotional responses; external stimuli such as product factors positively affect cognitive evaluation; and emotional responses and cognitive evaluation positively affect purchase intention respectively. Data were collected through questionnaire design, and empirical analysis was conducted by means of descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, multiple linear regression and other methods. The empirical results show that marketing activities enhance confidence in consumption decisions, purchase situations improve users’ sense of pleasure, product factors strengthen cognitive rationality, marketing activities optimize consumption risk assessment, purchase situations improve the judgment of scheme feasibility, and both consumers’ emotions and cognition exert a positive driving effect on purchase intention. This paper enriches the application of the SOR theory in the field of pet product consumption, and provides a scientific basis for enterprises to optimize product design, formulate marketing strategies and enhance consumers’ purchase intention.
- Open Access
- Article
Study on the Influence Mechanism of Consumers’ Purchase Intention of Pet Products Based on the SOR Theory
- Fagang Hu 1,*,
- Dongmei Zhang 1 and
- Xuan-Hoa Nghiem 2
Author Information
Received: 09 May 2026 | Revised: 30 September 2026 | Accepted: 10 October 2026 | Published: 09 November 2026
Abstract
References
- 1.
Liu, X. Interpretation of Development of Chinese Pet Industry in 2024 (in Chinese). J. Econ. Anim. 2025, 29, 8–13.
- 2.
Chen, L.; Zhou, J.; Dai, P. Perfecting the Standard System of Pet Supplies to Promote High-Quality Development of Pet Industry (in Chinese). Chin. Qual. Certif. 2024, 10, 27–29.
- 3.
Han, L. Research on the Problems and Countermeasures of China’s Pet Market Development (in Chinese). Master’s Thesis, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Shanghai, China, 2021. https://doi.org/10.27296/d.cnki.gshcu.2021.000480.
- 4.
Hou, K. Analysis of Online Shopping Market of Pet Supplies in China from the Perspective of Managerial Economics (in Chinese). Chin. Collect. Econ. 2021, 10, 106–107.
- 5.
Huang, S. New Gameplay of “Pet Economy” in Shopping Malls (in Chinese). Chin. Work. Dog Ind. 2018, 8, 66–70.
- 6.
Jiao, Z. Research on the Influence of Perceived Value on Consumers’ Purchase Intention of Goat Milk Products (in Chinese). Master’s Thesis, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China, 2024.
- 7.
Mao, Y. Research on the Influence of Artificial Intelligence Product Characteristics on Consumers’ Purchase Intention from the Perspective of Technology Empowerment (in Chinese). Master’s Thesis, Harbin University of Commerce, Harbin, China, 2024.
- 8.
Shen, Z. Research on Influencing Factors of Consumers’ Purchase Intention on E-Commerce Live Streaming Platform Based on SOR Theory (in Chinese). Master’s Thesis, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, China, 2024.
- 9.
Chen, S. The Impact of Emotional Marketing on Consumers’ Purchase Intention: A Case Study of Jellycat. Adv. Econ. Manag. Polit. Sci. 2024, 83, 285–291. https://doi.org/10.54254/2754-1169/83/20240763.
- 10.
Zhang, X. Research on Influencing Factors of Consumers’ Purchase Intention of Brand a Prepared Dishes Based on SOR Model (in Chinese). Master Thesis, China University of Political Science and Law, Beijing, China, 2024 https://doi.org/10.
- 11.
Ngo, T.T.A.; Tran, T.T.; An, G.K.; et al. Investigating the Influence of Augmented Reality Marketing Application on Consumer Purchase Intentions: A Study in the E-Commerce Sector. Comput. Hum. Behav. Rep. 2025, 18, 100648. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2025.100648.
- 12.
Konale, M.; Panakaje, N.; Parvin, S.M.R.; et al. Exploring the Fusion of Virtual Fitting Rooms and Social Media: A Study on Consumer Behaviour and Purchase Intentions. J. Fash. Mark. Manag. Int. J. 2025, 29, 728–757. https://doi.org/10.1108/jfmm-05-2024-0195.
- 13.
Wu, X.; Mao, S. The Influence of E-Commerce Anchor Persuasion Strategy on Consumers’ Online Purchase Intention—Based on the Perspective of Emotional Trust and Perceived Value (in Chinese). J. Commer. Econ. 2025, 4, 60–63.
- 14.
Yang, Z.; Ren, W. External Situational Cues of Cross-Border Online Shopping and Consumers’ Purchase Intention—Mediated by Perceived Functional Value and Perceived Emotional Value (in Chinese). J. Commer. Econ. 2024, 22, 74–77.
- 15.
Sun, K.; Liu, L.; Liu, C. Consumers’ Impulsive Purchase Intention in Live E-Commerce from an Emotional Perspective (in Chinese). China Bus. Mark. 2022, 36, 33–42.
- 16.
Chen, X.; Zhang, Q. Research on the Influence of Emotional Intensity of Online Reviews on Consumers’ Purchase Intention (in Chinese). China J. Commer. 2023, 20, 82–85.
- 17.
Li, K.; Yang, Y.; Wang, X. The Formation Mechanism of Consumers’ Quality Cognition Influenced by Internal and External Cues: Taking Baijiu Industry as an Example (in Chinese). J. Macro-Qual. Res. 2024, 12, 116–128.
- 18.
Zhang, Q.; Sun, X.; Cai, L. Research on the Influence of External Cues on Consumers’ Green Brand Purchase Intention: The Moderating Effect of Cognitive Style (in Chinese). J. Bus. Econ. Manag. 2016, 11, 46–59. https://doi.org/10.14134/j.cnki.cn33-1336/f.2016.11.005.
- 19.
Xiao, W.; Yuan, Y.; Shi, P.; et al. Research on Consumers’ Purchase Intention of “Double Eleven” Based on Mixed Methods: From Emotional and Cognitive Perspectives (in Chinese). Manag. Rev. 2024, 36, 161–174.
- 20.
Fan, J.; Bian, T.; Zheng, G. The Impact of Moral Attributes of Corporate Social Innovative Products on Customers’ Purchase Intention (in Chinese). J. Mark. Sci. 2024, 4, 36–53.
- 21.
Zhang, L. Identification and Evaluation of Influencing Factors of Consumers’ Risk Perception under the Background of Cross-Border E-Commerce (in Chinese). Master’s Thesis, Xidian University, Xi’an, China, 2022.
- 22.
Yang, X. National Trend Brand Image and Consumer Purchase Intention—The Mediating Effect of Brand Identity and the Moderating Effect of Product Involvement (in Chinese). J. Commer. Econ. 2024, 23, 73–76.
- 23.
Li, Y. Research on E-Commerce Brand Marketing Strategy and Consumer Purchase Intention—Based on the Mediating Role of Consumer Participation and Perceived Value (in Chinese). J. Commer. Econ. 2024, 14, 55–58.
- 24.
Zhang, B.; Zhao, C.; Lai, H.; et al. Comprehensive Quality, Consumption Situation and Purchase Intention of Near-Expiry Food—Mediation of Price Sensitivity and Moderation of Food Safety Literacy (in Chinese). J. Guizhou Univ. Financ. Econ. 2022, 40, 36–45.
- 25.
Wei, Y.; Li, J.; Li, M.; et al. Live Streaming Marketing Methods and Consumer Purchase Intention—The Mediating Role of Perceived Usefulness (in Chinese). Econ. Trade Update 2024, 21, 59–63.
- 26.
Kong, K.; Dong, H. The Influence of Short Video Marketing on Consumers’ Impulsive Purchase Intention—Based on the Mediating Role of Online Immersion and Psychological Intention (in Chinese). J. Commer. Econ. 2024, 14, 59–62.
- 27.
Zeng, L.; Huang, D. What Dominates Online Live Streaming Shopping Intention—A Study on Influencing Factors of Audience Purchase Intention from the Perspective of Persuasion Theory (in Chinese). News Writ. 2021, 7, 50–57.
- 28.
Xiao, K.; Lei, B. Opinion Leader Traits, Promotional Stimuli and Consumer Purchase Intention in Social E-Commerce—An Investigation Based on WeChat Group Shoppers (in Chinese). J. Manag. 2021, 34, 99–110.
- 29.
Wang, T. Research on the Influencing Factors of Pet Social Media Influencers on Pet Consumers’ Purchase and Interaction Intention (in Chinese). Master’s Thesis, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China, 2023.
- 30.
Zhang, Y. Research on Influencing Factors of Consumers’ Impulsive Purchase Intention in Live Streaming Scenario Based on SOR Model (in Chinese). Master’s Thesis, Jilin University, Changchun, China, 2021.
- 31.
Kapuge, K.D.L.R. Determinants of Organic Food Buying Behavior: Special Reference to Organic Food Purchase Intention of Sri Lankan Customers. Procedia Food Sci. 2016, 6, 303–308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profoo.2016.02.060.
- 32.
Dodds, W.B.; Monroe, K.B.; Grewal, D. Effects of Price, Brand, and Store Information on Buyers’ Product Evaluations. J. Mark. Res. 1991, 28, 307–319. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224379102800305.
- 33.
Zeithaml, V.A. Consumer Perceptions of Price, Quality, and Value: A Means-End Model and Synthesis of Evidence. J. Mark. 1988, 52, 2–22. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224298805200302.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
