• Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.23-35
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• 2009

A hypermarket as the one of the most globally standardized retailing format is also the type of store among various types of stores that the most active in expanding into other foreign markets. Recently, as several Korean retailing companies start to penetrate into Chinese market they differentiate themselves with modern facilities and customers service oriented high-end concept. China and Korea as Far East Asian countries share many common values, however precise and careful analysis should be carried out since there may also be critical differences in socio-economic aspects as well as in consumption patterns due to the level of development stages of retail industry among two countries. Even though precise and careful study is crucial on Chinese retailing market and consumers, none of researches and studies on 'how the quality of service dimensional structure is different between Korea and China', and 'what will be the most important and influential service dimensional factors for Chinese consuers compared to the hypermarkets customers in Korea' in order to improve the level of Chinese consumers satisfaction' have been fulfilled At this point of view, this study uses KD-SQS (Rho Eun Jung & Sir Yong Gu, 2008) which is a measure of Korean hypermarkets service quality to set up a hypothesis on Korean and Chinese consumers, and an empirical analysis is conducted. We try to get the answers about how the comparative importance of Service quality dimensions which decides the level of customer satisfaction is different depending on the cultural dimensions and socio-economic factors among two countries, Korea and China. Based upon the results, we try to give a valuable suggestion of what service dimensional factors should be reinforced to improve the level of CS in Chinese retailing market. Hypotheses for this study are as follows : H1. Each dimension of Service Quality significantly affects the level of CS H2. The effect of 'Basic Benefit' in service quality dimensions on the level of CS is greater in China than in Korea H3. The effect of 'Promotion' in service quality dimensions on the level of CS is greater in China than in Korea H4. The effect of 'Physical Aspects'in service quality dimensions on the level of CS is greater in Korea than in China. H5. The effect of 'Personal Interaction' in service quality dimensions on the level of CS is greater in China than in Korea H6. The effect of 'Policy' in service quality dimensions on the level of CS will be greater in Korean than in China H7. The effect of additional convenience in service quality dimensions on the level of CS will be greater in Korean than in China. More than 1,100 data were collected directly from the surveys of Chinese and Korean consumers in order to verify the hypotheses above. In Korea, stores which have floor space of over $9,000m^2$and opened later than year 2000 were selected for the samples, and thus Gayang, Wolgye, Sangbong, Eunpyeong, Suh-Suwon, Gojan stores and their customers were surveyed. In China, notable differences in the income levels and consumer behaviors between cities and regions were considered, and thus the research area was limited to the stores only in Shanghai. 6 stores which have the size of over $6,000m^2$ and opened later than 2000, such as Ruihong, Intu, Mudanjang, Sanrin, Raosimon, and Ranchao stores were selected for the survey. SPSS 12.0 and AMOS 7.0 were used as statistical tools, and exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and multi-group analysis were conducted. In order to carry out a multi group analysis that decides whether the structure variables which shows the different effects of 6 service dimensions in Korean and Chinese groups is statistically valid, configural invariance, metric invariance, and structural invariance are tested in order. At the results of the tests, 3 out of 7 hypotheses were supported and other 4 hypotheses were denied. According to the study, 4 dimensions (Basic Benefit, Physical Environment, Policy, and additional convenience) were positively correlated with CS in Korea, and 3 dimensions (i.e. basic benefit, policy, additional convenience) were significant in China. However, the significance of the service-dimensions was turned out to be partially different in Korea and China. The Basic Benefit is more influential in deciding the level of CS in china than Korea, however Physical Aspect is more important factor in Korea. 'Policy dimension' did not make significant difference between two countries. In the 'additional convenience dimension', the differences in 'socio-economic factors' than in'cultural background' were considered as more important in Chinese consumers than Korean. Overall, the improvement of Service quality will be crucial factors to increase the level of CS in Chinese market same as Korean market. In addition, more emphases need to be placed on the service qualities of 'Basic Benefit' and 'additional convenience' dimensions in China. In particular, 'low price' and 'product diversity' that constitute 'Basic Benefit' are proved to be comparatively disadvantageous and weak points of Korean companies compared to global players, and thus the prompt strengthening those dimensions would be urgent for Korean retailers. Moreover, additional conveniences such as various tenants and complex service and entertaining area will be more important in China than in Korea. Besides, Applying advanced Korean Hypermaret`s customer policy to Chinese consumers will help to get higher reliability and to differentiate themselves to other competitors. However, as personal interaction, physical aspect, promotions were proved as not significant for the level of CS in China, Korean companies need to reconsider the priority order of resource allocations when they tap into Chinese market.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.12 no.10
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• pp.67-74
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• 2014

Purpose - This study analyzed how image affects customer trust and satisfaction in the online shopping mall market, which is becoming more competitive; future implications for customer management in online shopping malls were presented. Consumers visit and prefer a few shopping mall sites instead of many sites. Consumers do not visit sites that cannot provide trust and satisfaction. Therefore, establishing trust and satisfaction with differentiated image is essential for survival and growth. Specifically analyzing company image, shop image, and brand image, I studied how symbolic image, functional image, and empirical image affect satisfaction mediated by trust in the online shopping malls of hypermarket retailers. Research design, data, and methodology - To investigate the relationship between image and satisfaction of big box retailers' shopping malls in the online market, the study is based on analyzed data from questionnaires involving advanced research. From May 1st to 20th in the year 2014, a questionnaire survey targeting university students using big box retailers' shopping malls in Seoul was conducted. A total of 282 questionnaires were conducted, and 276 questionnaires were used for empirical analysis, excluding invalid data. Using the SPSS 21.0 statistics package, factor analysis and regression analysis were implemented, and effects of image on trust and satisfaction were presented. Results - First, symbolic image can affect satisfaction with only trust. Among 3 image factors, symbolic image exerts the most influence on trust; trust is important in coupling the medium to satisfaction. Second, functional image and empirical image affect satisfaction directly and indirectly with trust. Conclusions - As I classified the image of hyper market retailers' online shopping malls into symbolic, functional, and empirical image, I analyzed the effects of image on trust and satisfaction empirically. The results of the study and strategic implications are as follows. First, symbolic image can affect satisfaction with only trust. Among 3 image factors, symbolic image exerts the most influence on trust; trust is important in coupling the medium to satisfaction. The establishment of a distinctive symbolic image, such as the online shopping mall's loyalty, level of awareness, and special service, is needed. With the establishment of symbolic image, trust and satisfaction could be improved. Second, functional image and empirical image affect satisfaction directly and indirectly with trust. Especially, as functional image affects trust more than empirical image, setting and implementing a strategy for empirical image based on the right price, service, and convenience could raise trust and satisfaction. Empirical image affects trust and satisfaction substantially. Even though empirical image's influence on trust is lower than that of other three image factors, empirical image's influence on satisfaction is higher than symbolic image. Therefore, it requires a strategy for providing joyful use, and information research functions and distinctive use experience are important to improve satisfaction. This study analyzed image characteristics of hyper-market retailers' online shopping malls in the fast-growing online market; future strategic implications were presented.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.396-401
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• 2009

Microorganisms or their toxins can be transferred to eggs and cause food poisoning in humans. Therefore, this study was conducted to detect microbial contamination of eggs and to identify microorganisms in any contaminated eggs. Four different brands of eggs were collected from hypermarkets in the northern Gyeonggi area. The total bacterial counts on the shells of the eggs varied greatly between brands. In addition, various bacterial species including Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas mendocina, Alcaligenes xylosoxidans, Alcaligenes faecalis, and Enterobacter cloacae were identified on eggshells. Furthermore, mean of total bacterial counts of four brands was $3.4{\times}10^4 cfu/m{\ell}$ and E. coli was detected on the eggshell of one brand egg. However, Salmonella was not identified on all brands of collected eggs. We also demonstrated that the E. coli isolated from the eggshell was not pathogenic based on the absence of pathogen-specific gene expression patterns. Taken together, the result of this study indicate that strict quality control and improved distribution controls are required to decrease microbial contamination and improve human health.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.217-222
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• 2013

In this study, we compared nutrient content emphasized on labelling of processed milks with that of whole milks and evaluated how well they conform to labelling standard. A total of 98 samples (33 whole milks, 28 calcium fortified milks, 30 low-fat milks and 7 lactose hydrolyzed milks) were collected in hypermarkets in Seoul from August 28 to August 30 in 2012. Calcium, fat and lactose contents were tested in the samples. Calcium contents ranged 102.2~113.0 mg/100 mL in whole milks and 120.1~337.8 mg/100 mL in calcium fortified milks. The level of calcium contents in fortified milks ranged very broad. Accordingly, the standard of calcium contents on fortified milks will be required. Fat contents ranged 3.1~3.9 g/100 mL in whole milks and 0.1~1.9 g/100 mL in low-fat milks. The average of fats content in low-fat milks was nearly one third than whole milks. Lactose contents was ranged 4.6~5.1 g/100 mL in whole milks and not detected in lactose hydrolyzed milks. All of processed milks were suitable to processing standard and labelling standard. But nutrition claims often used on processed milk such as "High" or "Low" were not adequate to indicate the exact nutrient content, which is a cause of the confusion for milk product labelling to consumers. We need a lot of research about nutrient labelling that can deliver appropriate and understandable information to customers.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.119-128
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• 2012

This study was performed to investigate the freshness and nutritive components of eggs from Incheon area. The eggs of 64 brands collected from 7 hypermarkets and 6 brands collected from farms were examined to test the Haugh unit (HU), egg yolk index and specific gravity. HU and specific gravity were higher in farm eggs than in hypermarket eggs (P<0.05), and there was no difference in the egg yolk index. Among hypermarket eggs, HU and egg yolk index were higher in the graded eggs than in non-graded eggs (P<0.05), and specific gravity was not different between them. HU and egg yolk index of the eggs collected in March were higher than those in August (P<0.05). To monitor the bacterial contamination, total coliforms, total bacterial counts (TBC) and Salmonella enteritidis were examined. Salmonella enteritidis and total coliforms were not detected from all eggs. TBC of farm eggs were less than $10^1$ CFU/mL in all samples and TBC of hypermarket eggs were less than $10^1$ CFU/mL in 187 samples, $10^1{\sim}10^2$ CFU/mL in 3 samples and $10^3{\sim}10^4$ CFU/mL in 2 samples, respectively. Antimicrobial residues were not detected from all eggs tested. The vitamin E contents in the vitamin E enriched eggs from 6 brands hypermarket were 1.98~22.96 mg/yolk100 g ($14.04{\pm}8.81$ mg/yolk100g), and those of 5 brands among them were higher than the average of ordinary eggs. In one brand egg, vitamin E content was lower than the average of ordinary eggs. The vitamin E contents of ordinary eggs were 1.75~16.36 mg/yolk100 g (average $5.57{\pm}2.76$ mg/yolk100 g) and there were no price differences between vitamin E enriched eggs and ordinary eggs. In the contents of vitamin E, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and cholesterol, there were no significant differences according to the price. These results suggests that egg production, distribution, and management system should be improved for supplying fresh eggs to consumers at reasonable prices.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.99-116
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• 2014

Domestic PB products have emerged and been distributed by hypermarkets, department stores, convenience stores, as well as TV home shopping channels and Internet shopping malls. However, the fierce competition among the distributors due to the emergence of the PB products have caused the diversion of consumers' recognition to be reduced weight and volume as well as had the effect of misleading consumers about the prices. The width of the PB product price's up and down is larger than the width of the NB product. Thus, following consumers' purchases of PB products, there has been an increasing number of consumer complaints. In order to research consumers' recognition of PB products and to examine how consumers' recognition and information search comparative to PB products affect consumers' dissatisfaction, an online survey targeted consumers with experience purchasing PB products. This study was conducted and analyzed using SPSS 19 Statistics. The findings can be summarized as follows. Even though more consumers who frequently purchased and used the PB products, the more they compared with information search comparative to the NB product and then purchased the PB product. We investigated the result that the relevant variables of consumer complaints have some relative influence in the purchasing of PB products. There will be a higher probability o the group having high recognition about price and safety not making consumer complaints in comparison with the probability of other consumers making complaints after the purchase of a PB product. Therefore, based on the results of this study, companies need to build a system so that they can figure out consumers' needs in order to prevent the occurrence of consumer complaints related to the products of distribution companies' brands. By means of the system, it is also necessary for companies to collect consumer complaints and analyze them by category. Then they eventually should develop a consumer-centered management system which may contribute to quality improvement, product development and the reduction of consumer complaints.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.571-580
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• 2010

We sought to define the main motivational factors promoting consumption of Prunus mume products. We surveyed both specialized high-volume consumers and public consumers, and focused on consumption of and preferences for Prunus mume and Prunus mume products. We investigated how products were preferentially consumed, purchase experience, purchase location, purchase price, consumption experience, factors important in a purchase decision, preference factors, dissatisfaction factors, consumption outlook, comments on new processed foods, and activation of consumption. A total of 534 responses were received and data were analyzed using the SAS program (Version 9.1) of the Frequency test; Chi-square test was used to detect significant factors. A greater percentage of high-volume(compared with low-volume) consumers processed personal products at home. The public consumer tended to buy commercial products. However, public consumers who were older, who had higher incomes, and who were heads of households, tended to both buy commercial products and to prepare foods at home. The common purchase methods used by high-volume consumers were internet and direct marketing, but the public consumer frequented department stores and hypermarkets. High-volume consumers observed that commercial products were expensive, and such consumers seemed to be particularly cost-sensitive. The decisive factor triggering purchase decisions in high-volume consumers was the geographical origin of the fruit, whereas the public consumer was more concerned with taste. In public, positive factors were that the product was good for health and had a pleasant taste. Some of those surveyed complained of a lack of variety in Prunus mume products and that the amount of Prunus mume in certain products was low. To promote and increase consumption, convenient-to-eat products with healthy images are needed.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.39-49
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• 2022

Purpose: As part of these efforts, in-depth research is needed on efficient and practical utilization of underground spaces and underground shopping malls. In addition, efforts are being made to find effective alternatives to various problems currently occurring in underground shopping malls, but it is not easy. In addition, the development entity and the maintenance entity are different from each other, and the management is not unified, making it difficult to maintain underground shopping malls. From this point of view, it can be said that it is time to actively and specifically discuss ways to revitalize underground shopping malls. Data and methodology: In the domestic distribution environment, traditional markets and shops are stagnating due to rapid changes in consumption patterns, such as the spread of large companies with advanced distribution techniques such as hypermarkets, shopping malls, and SCM, the rapid increase in Internet and home shopping, and the importance of convenience for young consumers. In order to revitalize underground shopping malls, it is necessary to strengthen the organization and self-rescue efforts of merchants' associations, change consciousness through merchant education, change to specialized markets, find nuclear stores and representative restaurants, and support the hardware sector. Results: The connection of underground shopping malls in each region of the country, where commercial districts are separated from each other, will also play an important role in reviving the function of the city in the future. To do this, it is first necessary to connect underground shopping malls that have been cut off. In other words, connection between connectable underground shopping malls should be promoted. Of course, long-term projects should be promoted step by step, and many consultations should be made on how to connect with the ground for each local government. Conclusion: This is because in the future, the underground space cannot just be a walking place, but another space of the Korean Wave where you can experience satisfying the five senses. K-shopping Hallyu content can be created by creating a characteristic story for each underground shopping mall in the city, permanently this story-oriented event, and creating a safe and elegant environment. If there is a story, so-called "Senomi Shopping" will be possible. A new Korean Wave will be created that can satisfy "the fun of writing, the fun of seeing, and the fun of feeling" at the same time.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.395-413
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• 2023

This research studied the effect of customer experience characteristics in offline home appliance stores on perceived value and revisit intention. Among the offline distribution of home appliances with more than 100 stores nationwide, two home appliance retailers (HiMart, E-Land), three hypermarkets (E-Mart, Homeplus, Lotte Hi-Mart), and two home appliance stores (LG Best Shop, Samsung Digital Plaza) were selected, and a survey was conducted on men and women in their 20s or older in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon who had visited and purchased the home appliance store within the last 6 months. As a result of the survey, a statistical analysis was conducted on a total of 330 samples using the PLS (Partial Least Squares) structural equation model and SPSS statistical package. Through this study, the following research results can be obtained. First, educational experience, deviant experience, and aesthetic experience had a positive (+) effect on the functional value. However, entertainment experience did not affect functional value. Second, educational experience, deviant experience, and aesthetic experience all had a positive (+) effect on emotional value. Third, both functional and sensory values had a positive (+) effect on the revisit intention. Fourth, it was confirmed that brand loyalty had no moderating effect between functional value and sensory value revisit intention. The results of this study show the structural relationship between customer experience characteristics, perceived value (functional value, sensory value), and revisit intention. This result provides guidelines on what activities home appliance offline stores should do at a time when online channels threaten the survival of offline channels.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.560-572
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• 2021

Purpose: In this study, the serving size of home meal replacement (HMR)-soups (Guk, Tang) and stews (Jjigae) available in the Korean market was investigated, and an evaluation of the nutrition per serving was conducted based on the nutrition labeling. Methods: The market research was conducted from March to August 2021 on products sold on the internet, convenience stores, supermarkets, and hypermarkets. A total of 370 products were investigated and classified into 3 types: Guk (n = 129), Tang (n = 132), and Jjigae (n = 109). Results: An analysis of the survey revealed that 72.9% of Guk, 71.2% of Tang, and 79.8% of Jjigae had labels with servings per container, and 89.2% of Guk, 91.7% of Tang, and 99.1% of Jjigae had labels with nutrition facts. The nutritional evaluation per serving of Guk, Tang, and Jjigae was conducted for 259 products (87 Guk, 86 Tang, and 86 Jjigae) having labels containing both the servings per container and nutrition facts. The average serving size of Tang was 367.6 g, which was significantly higher than Guk (325.3 g) and Jjigae (305.1 g) (p < 0.001). The calorie content of Jjigae (171.4 kcal) and Tang (162.3 kcal) was significantly higher than Guk (90.8 kcal) (p < 0.001), and the protein content was the highest in Tang (16.3 g) (p < 0.001). The sodium content per serving of Jjigae (1,479.0 mg) was significantly higher than Guk (1,073.3 mg) and Tang (959.8 mg) (p < 0.001). The percent daily value per serving of all three types was less than 10% on average for calories and 15-30% for protein, whereas for sodium showed an average of around 50% (48-74%). Conclusion: The serving size and nutritional value per serving of the HMR-soups and stews found in this study can be used as basic data to establish the reference serving size.