• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.33-40
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• 2015

Purpose - This study aims to find out what impacts large retailers' behaviors appearing when they promote the strengthening of their market dominating power in the trade relations with small and medium suppliers or in the market can have on consumers. Research design, data, methodology - This study analyzed negative information (news) on large retailers (Lotte Mart, E-Mart and Homeplus) based on the monthly data over the past five years from 2008 to 2012 and also analyzed the correlation between dependent variables that are likely to affect sales through large retailer economic index, Results - This study conducted a correlation analysis on the time lag of the factors that have an impact on the negative information and sales of large retailers in order to analyze how consumers respond to the choice of large retailers' store (store sales) when they perceived negative information about the un- ethical behaviors of large retailers. Conclusions - Unfair and negative information on large retailers appeared significant for the hypothesis that sales will be affected by the image of large retailers and change of consumer attitudes.

• Korean Business Review
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• v.14
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• pp.95-128
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• 2001

The entry of large discount stores such as LG-mart, E-mart into small cities such as Choonchun or Wonju have had a profound impact on the business of small-sized retailers. The impact of the entry by large discount store is too big compared to that of the entry by department store. Now, it becomes the matter of survival for small-sized retailers. Regulation and protection are not the best solutions to solve these problems. It cannot solve the fundamental problems. Consumer buy products based on their needs not retailers' problems. Without satisfying consumers' various needs and wants, retailers can not survive. Therefore, it is extremely important to understand retail competition from the perspective of consumers and investigate overall retail competition not competition between two different types of retailers. In this study, we analyze the relationship between products and purchasing places, the competitive relationship among retailers. As a result, we get big picture of retail market and discuss the revitalization of conventional retailers. In addition, we propose new solutions to conventional retailers' problems from the perspective of consumers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.128-133
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• 2012

This research has analyzed factors affecting customers' satisfaction when they use parking lots of big retailers so that, in case of constructing, operating or managing such retailers, proper measures can be come up with. The analysis has been implemented on the basis of survey, and influence factors including entry/exit lamp, parking cars' traffic flow, parking type, pedestrians' movement after parking and safety. Parking lot users' satisfaction has been analyzed by using the Structural Equation Modelling and, as a result of it, in case of a detached or single building, pedestrians' movement flow after parking contributed the most to the users' satisfaction, while, in case of multipurpose complex, parking cars' traffic flow has the most influential factor. It is interpreted that users of a single building put a bigger emphasis on entry to the shop and their way back to the parked area after their shopping while customers of multipurpose complex might have various purposes of visiting the place and there are relatively more cars so that they put more emphasis on traffic counterflow, other cars and pedestrians.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.273-284
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• 2007

New retailers, especially giant retailers, so called "mart" or "discounter" which introduced around 1996, when Korea's domestic retail market was opened to the world, have brought big transitions. Consequently, new comers like discounters and CVS drove out department stores, mom & pops and traditional retailers. Literatures showed two reverse opinions for the giant retailers; rising consumers' benefit, or dropping small retailers' businesses. This study have conducted to find the situation of market concentration in retail market, and to learn the new market condition in it. According to the study, in 2005, CR3's of Korea's whole retail industry was counted 12.8%, and CR5 of that was 13.9%. CR3 of discount store business was 39%, department stores' 55%, and TV home shopping businesses' was 75%. In addition to those results, indices growing worse. So, we can say this industry already get into the oligopolistic industrial organization. Generally, under monopolistic or oligopolistic market structure, consumers' benefit may shrink and businesses' surplus profit may jump. So, it means, it's good time to turn government's policy for the retail industry in Korea to fair competition policy instead of development policy.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2016

Purpose - This study is to identify how the retail regulations influence customer shopping behaviours and furthermore, whether the Store Closing Act really protects independent retailers as well as traditional markets in Korea. Research design, data, and methodology - By adopting frequency analysis and factor analysis method, the research achieved research objectives. Before a field survey, the authors pre-tested the questionnaire developed, based on similar previous articles, and finalized. Amongst the 353 questionnaires distributed, 332 were returned. It means the response rate is 94.5%. Furthermore, available questionnaires are 330. Results - Rather than stimulating customers to more frequently visit public markets, the regulation has provoked new customer shopping behaviours. In other words, some consumers tend to shop in big box retailers before or after a store closing day, whereas others are likely to stop shopping. What is important is that customers do not patronise small retailers and conventional markets, thanks to the Store Closing Act. Conclusions - In order to keep retailers and public markets independent, the researchers suggest that the government should introduce new techniques without impeding the growth of a retailing sector.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.686-693
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• 2011

Small-to-medium retailers in local neighborhood have been managing to survive without outside influence. However rapid change in business environment including consumer needs for goods and the quality of life has brought turbulence into retail business. Petty retailers are facing a crisis as large-sized discount stores owned by big enterprises are entering into traditional markets. To protect small-to-medium retailers from such threats and revive the traditional commercial markets the government is taking on the policy of subsidizing small-to-medium businesses. However, recent emergence of SSM (an industrialized supermarket in forms of direct management and affiliation) in local commercial areas has brought about conflicts and frictions between large companies and local merchants. Under this background this study attempted to make an analysis of vulnerable factors of small-to-medium retailers coping with SSM and probe for the alternatives to SSM business restructuring.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.148-158
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• 2018

This study analyzes recent trends in fashion retailing instigated by the fourth industrial revolution and approaches the trends in terms of the convergence of big data and artificial intelligence. The findings are as below. First, companies like 'Edited' and 'Stylumia' offer solutions that support the strategic decisions of fashion brands and fashion retailers by analyzing big data using artificial intelligence. Second, the convergence of big data and artificial intelligence scales personalized service on the web as examples of 'Coded Couture', 'StitchFix', and 'Thread'. Third, the insights gained from artificial intelligence and big data help create new fashion retailing platforms such as 'Botshop' and 'Lyst'. Last, artificial intelligence and big data assist with design. 'Ivyrevel' designs digital fashion, assisted by a macroscopic perspective on fashion trends, market and consumers through the analysis of big data. The Fourth Industrial Revolution brings changes across all industries that will likely accelerate. The fashion industry is also undergoing many changes with advancements in scientific technology. The convergence of big data and artificial intelligence will play a key role in the future of fast-moving industry like fashion, where fickle tastes of consumers are the main drivers.

• Journal of Distribution Research
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.1-18
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• 2010

Recent rapid growth of Super-Supermarket(SSM) may be the last process of penetration of big retailers' into the grocery market where small supermarkets have dominated for the past several decades. Anti-SSM movement led by small supermarket owners is mainly due to the fear of shaky viability. The authors believe that the ultimate solution should be strengthening the competitiveness of small retailers. This study concludes that satisfying customers will make small retailers more sustainable. The study suggests the improvement of merchandising and customer services. In particular, the study performed an ideation survey for developing services suitable for supermarket customers. The study suggests service alternatives optimal for small retailers through confirmation survey of 300 consumers.

• 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.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.153-162
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• 2003

The transformation of the Italian retailing has permitted, in the last ten years, a quick modification of the strategic groups' weight at a distributive level. Such change regards the redesign of the competitive assets that sees as protagonist both the main foreign big multiple chains and the Italian retailing, characterized by small dependent enterprises. The analysis is focused on the solutions that independent retailers are adopting in order to strengthen their competitive ability in relation to the aforementioned prospective entrance of foreign distributors in the domestic market. In particular, the most commonly adopted strategic alternative are analysed, in an attempt to characterize the development models that can emerge. The paper presents a case of possible successful solution adopted by some independent retailers for a competitiveness recovery without sacrificing the enterprise's property and autonomy.