Children Preferences for Global and Local Brands : An Empirical Study Drawing on Symbolic Self-Completion Theory

Abstract

The marketing literature has examined extensively consumer preferences between global and local brands. However, there remains a dearth of research on the topic in the context of vulnerable consumers with insecure self-identities. Children largely embody insecure identities and, thus, there are several factors that can influence their global versus local brand preferences. Surprisingly, however, there is still limited empirical research examining how key demographic and socioeconomic factors influence children's brand preferences, especially in developing countries. Drawing on symbolic self-completion theory, and based on data from Serbia, we address this research gap and contribute to the social psychology and marketing literatures by showing how age, gender, poverty background, and external reference groups influence children's preferences between global and local brands. © 2025 The Author(s). Psychology & Marketing published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.