Consumer Approach to the Quality and Safety of Textile Products. Part 1, Quality of Textile Products from the Point of View of Consumers

Abstract

This article analyses the issue of consumer perception of the quality of textile products. The hierarchy of characteristics perceived to be related to the quality of clothes and the relationship between them was examined. The results of the inquiry and analysis of statistical descriptions showed that the aesthetic of a product, the quality of product finishing as well as safety of use and product healthiness have great importance for consumer perception of the quality of textile products. While for clothing products physiological comfort and convenience of use are the most important, for house textiles it is the durability and utility properties. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method made it possible to establish relationships between parameters and to determine consumer models of textile product quality that consist of 5 principal components in relation to clothing products and 3 components in the case of house textiles. In accordance with the analysis, it was observed that, in general, consumers identify the quality of textile products with marketing and economic features, regardless of the kind and designation of textiles, although their role is not strong. Other factors are differentiated by product designation and consumer gender.