Abstract:
This independent study, entitled Service Marketing Mix Affecting the Selection of Suppliers for Small Retail Stores in Mueang Chiang Mai District" aimed to examine the service marketing mix affecting the selection of suppliers for small retail stores in Muaeng Chiang Mai district. This research adopted a quantitative approach using survey research methodology. A total of 200 small retail business owners in Mueang Chiang Mai District were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using questionnaires, and the analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation, as well as inferential statistics namely Independent Samples t-test and One-Way ANOVA (F-test). The results revealed that most respondents were female, aged between 4150 years, married, held a bachelors degree, had a monthly income of 30,000 baht or more, and lived in households of 34 members. Most small retail stores had a selling space of 2140 square meters and were located on the ground floor of residential buildings. The top three product categories sold were beverages (e.g., soft drinks), dry foods (e.g., instant noodles, canned fish) and condiments. Most stores had monthly sales revenue exceeding 40,000 baht and monthly purchase expenditures of over 30,000 baht. Purchases were typically made 34 times per month, primarily through direct orders from distributors via phone, email, or sales representatives. Store owners were typically the main decision-makers, and most frequently selected wholesale centers such as Makro or Go Wholesale as their suppliers. The findings showed that all seven service marketing mix factors had a high level of influence on distributor selection: People, Product, Process, Promotion, Physical Evidence, Place, and Price, respectively. Additionally, statistically significant differences (at the 0.05 level) were found in the selection of distributors based on respondents\' monthly income and monthly purchasing volume, specifically in the Process and Physical Evidence dimensions. However, there were no statistically significant differences in distributor selection based on gender age marital status education level or store size.