• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.41-64
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• 2002

Since its market opening in the year 1996, Korea's retail sector has witnessed the emergence of various new retail formats such as discount stores and Internet shopping malls. Given the competition among various retail formats, it is needed to analyze the previous trends and to measure the future potential of the market with more careful economic models. Using Time Series Analysis on Korean economy and distribution industry, we aim to economic models to follow the trends and to measure the future growth of competing retail formats such as department stores, discount stores and convenience stores. We have found that the growth of department stores, convenience stores and specialty store format is very closely related with the private consumption expenditure. On the other hand, private consumption expenditure is not a good variable to explain the growth of discount stores and the supermarket sector. Following an extensive data analysis, three year forecasting of Korean distribution market including six different retail sectors is proposed. In addition, several discussion points including statistical classification of retail formats are argued.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.1233-1243
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• 2008

This study examined return policies of the Korean retailers and their differences by retail format. Return policies of 363 retailers including dept stores, discount stores, brand consignment stores, small shops, outlet stores, TV home shopping companies, and internet shopping malls were collected. Acceptance of refund or/and exchange, return grace period, and return requirements or restrictions of each retailer were analyzed. The results showed that most retail formats except small shops and internet shopping malls allowed refund. The seven day return grace period was most common though large retail chains allowed more generous time frames and small shops allowed shorter dates. Restrictions for return varied by retailers and retail formats. Generally retailers followed the guidelines of consumer protection laws. The study discussed implications of return policy analysis.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.71-81
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• 2017

Purpose - Consumers heuristically have a specific stereotype on the price level of individual retail format because each format provides them with a different level of purchase satisfaction and emotional benefits. However, if price image which is consumers' overall impression of the aggregate price level of a retailer does not match with their expectations, its price level would be perceived as unfair. It will eventually lead to dissatisfaction and decreased revisit intention. Focused on department store and discount store, this study was designed to verify whether the price fairness plays a role of mediating effect on two influential relationships between price image and post-purchase satisfaction, and price image and repatronage intention. Research design, data, and methodology - A main survey was conducted to 140 students and 128 effective responses were used for the related analysis. T-test, factor analysis, reliability test, and mediated regression analysis were performed. Six hypotheses were developed to examine the mediating effect of price fairness on the two influential relationships between price image and post-purchase satisfaction, and price image and repatronage intention. It was also examined whether the price image of two different retail format is formed differently or not. Results - People perceived the price images of the two retail formats differently. Overall price level of department store is much higher than that of discount store. Analysis results showed that price image did not solely have a significant influence on post-purchase satisfaction unless price fairness as a mediating variable is added. Price fairness turned out to be having a significant influence on relationship between price image and repatronage intention. It influences on repatronage intention directly and also via price fairness. Conclusions - Post-purchase satisfaction can be achieved only if people perceive the price image as fair no matter how the price level is high or low according to traits of retail formats. If they think it's not fair, they would disapprove of the rightness for the price image, and also express their dissatisfaction with it. Consumers willingly make repeated visits to a store if they are convinced of appropriate price level which is perceived as fair, and if they experienced a satisfaction with overall benefits a particular store offered.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.736-744
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• 2010

Alliances, collaborations and partnerships are essential practices in today's business. The purpose of this study was to understand the trends in retail alliances by analyzing the patterns of alliances in the Korean retail market. Retail alliance cases were collected from the published news article database in a major internet portal. A total of 1,061 retail alliance cases for the first decade of the 2000s were categorized into the alliances: 1) within the same retail format and 2) across different formats within the retail industry; and 3) with service industries and 4) with manufacturing industries outside the retail industry. The study described the patterns on the characteristics of participating retailers and partners, industries involved, and alliance types for each of the four categories.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.390-398
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• 2009

The research purposes are (1) to identify male market segmentation based on fashion involvement, (2) to compare purchase intention of clothing items and store attribute evaluation at two different retail formats, department store and internet shopping mall, and (3) to compare the influence of store attributes on intention to purchase fashion products at two retail formats among segments. The data are collected from 275 male consumers through internet research institute. The major results of this study are as follows. First, the dimensions of fashion involvement are identified into external involvement and internal involvement. Male respondents present high mean scores on external involvement items, emphasizing social roles of clothing. Two involvement factors generate three market segments: high involvement group(32.4%), external involvement group(44%), and low involvement group(23.6%). Second, high involvement group shows higher mean scores on purchase intention of seven clothing items than low involvement group. Third, department store attributes are identified into four factors, product assortment, quality per price, service, and symbolic image, while internet shopping mall includes assortment & convenience, quality per price, and symbolic image. High involvement group again presents higher mean scores on each retail attribute factor than low involvement group. Finally, quality per price is the most significant variable to explain the purchase intention at department store among three market segment, whereas assortment & convenience and quality per price are important predictors to increase purchase intention at internet shopping mall. However, relative importance of each attribute variable is different among three involvement groups.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.49-60
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aims to utilize geographic data to analyze how various retail formats of large-scale stores around the traditional market affect the performance of the traditional market in Seoul, Korea. Research design, data, and methodology: The two types of catchment areas were demarcated (circle of 1km radius and Thiessen polygon) for each traditional market, and the large-scale stores located within each catchment area were identified for 153 traditional markets in Seoul, Korea. Additionally, multiple regression analysis was utilized. Results: The results revealed that the influence on the performance of the traditional markets were different depending on the retail format of the large-scale stores. Large discount stores were found to have a negative effect on the sales and the visitors of traditional markets, whereas complex shopping malls and department stores had a positive effect on the traditional markets. Conclusions: As a result of the differences in the retail format such as product categories and leisure functions, the impact of some large-scale stores on the traditional market may have a greater agglomeration effect than the consumer churn effect. Therefore, it is suggested that in the regulation of these large-scale stores, the differences in retail format should be considered for the future.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.77-87
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• 2015

Purpose - This study aims to investigate the current state of distribution terminology usage by retailers and consumers nationwide, and to suggest a practical improvement plan for its standardization. The Korean distribution industry is closely related to consumers' daily lives. However, in reality, there exists a gap among producers, distributors, and consumers in terms of the definition, understanding, and perception of the terminology. Therefore, standardizing this terminology is essential for more smooth communication. This paper suggests the necessity of committing overall research and survey activities to the actual conditions of using Korean distribution terminology by organizations and their respective management situations, and further, the necessity of probing the problem and its measures in line with the objective and mission of the "Fundamental Law of the Korean Language." Research design, data, and methodology - This study's scope is limited to wholesale and retail including some information systems. First, the study covers most written material including lexicons and glossary of distribution terminology, university textbooks and teaching material for national certificate of qualification, and related laws and ordinances. Second, the survey covers retailers' management situations by store format. The retailers used as the sample for the survey include department stores, discount stores, SSM, and convenience stores. Altogether, 20 specialists were interviewed in their respective sectors or retail formats. Finally, the project team surveyed a sample of 1,300 consumers nationwide on 50 distribution terms mainly used by consumers, including those about awareness, understanding, usage, and attitude. Results - In total, 1,249 terms are drawn through literature research including distribution terminology used in the related literature, glossary and lexicons, distribution terminology in textbooks, and legal terminology. A classified table comprises four large categories including general distribution, distribution marketing, distribution information, and merchandise. The results of the three-step research including literature survey, field survey of retailers, and consumer survey were advised to be screened by academia (retail associations, faculty etc.), retailers (major retail management by store format), retail specialists and consultants, consumers, and Korean linguists. In total, 1,300 questionnaires for 50 terms of the distribution terminology closely associated with consumers were distributed to subjects nationwide. Conclusions - The desired and expected results from this study are summarized from three perspectives as follows: First, from retailers' perspective, a new concept, or coinage of new terms of the distribution industry stems from advanced countries such as America and Europe. However, the original meaning and definition are diluted and distorted with changes in the language users' situations and context. This study provides basic guidelines for standardization of distribution terms used among various retail formats in most daily life situations that consumers encounter. Second, from the nation's perspective, this study suggests optimal choices of distribution terminology in the context of laws and ordinances regarding concerned Ministries. Last, from the consumers' perspective, this paper enables consumers to understand and use distribution terms properly in their daily life.

• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.1-18
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• 2003

This study has tried an integrated approach toward consumer response difference between the online internet shopping mall and the off-line department store focusing on the moderating role of shopping value according to shopping situation. This study has analyzed consumer behavior differences between online and off-line channel formats in one framework and identified differences in consumer behaviors between the two channel formats. Managerial implications of this paper include measuring the effects of the integration of online and off-line channel and developing multichannel strategy. This paper suggests marketers to develop channel strategies based on customer segmentation criteria reflecting different consumer shopping value between online and off-line channel formats rather than developing strategies based only on the conventional marketing mix.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.883-894
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• 2012

Fashion companies are faced with more severe competition with the emergence of new types of retail formats. Retailers are coming up with new shopping values to maximize their profits and benefits of customers. The aim of this study was to study shopping values and analyze differences in store selection criteria and store visits among. The respondents were males and females with ages ranging from the 20's to the 40's, residing in Seoul and the Gyeonggi area. Data were collected via both online and offline. Data from 427 respondents were analyzed using SPSS 17.0. Results indicated that there were three categories including hedonic, informative, and reliable shopping values from the factors for clothing shopping values. They form three types of consumer groups such as active, passive-reliable, and hedonic-informative shopping value groups. These three groups were different in terms of demographic characteristics. For the factor influencing store preference, the range of product selection and customer service were the two significant features that showed substantial differences in the shopping value groups store's atmosphere, salespeople, convenient location, price, and brand store did not have significant differences across groups. Retailers of each fashion retail formats have to consider consumers shopping values for their retail decision makings.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.1274-1285
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to investigate influences of perceived price dimensions and store attributes on store choice behavior. Three major retail formats, department store, discount store, and internet shopping mall in retail industry were compared with respect to store attributes and intention to purchase fashion products. Data were obtained from 427 consumers aged 25-49 years old. The results were as follows. (1) Multidimensional aspects of the price construct were identified: price-quality schema, prestige sensitivity, price mavenism, value consciousness, price consciousness, and sales proneness. (2) Store attributes included product assortment, quality per price (Q/P), service, and symbolic image in general. However, store attribute factors of three retail formats consisted of slightly different items. Department stores presented the highest level of mean scores on product quality, customer service, and symbolic images, while internet mall exhibited highest on product variety, information comparison, and quality per price. (3) Respondents presented high level of intention to purchase fashion products at internet mall, department store, and discount store in that order. (4) Purchase intention at department store was predicted by Q/P, service, symbolic image, prestige sensitivity, product assortment, clothing consumption, and age in order. Purchase intention at discount store was influenced by assortment & Q/P, symbolic image, clothing consumption, and sales proneness, whereas internet mall was predicted by product assortment, Q/P, service, price mavenism, and price-quality schema.