• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.29-38
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• 2011

Since a distribution market was opened in 1993 after the conclusion of the Uruguay Round (UR), various new businesses emerged in the Korean retail industry, such as convenience shops, supermarkets, specialty stores, non-store marketing methods, and cyber shopping malls, in addition to traditional markets and department stores. Competition among these retail businesses has intensified. According to the National Statistical Office (NSO), the growth rate of the total retail industry has shown a 32% increase in the past 5 years. While department stores, supermarkets, specialty stores, and other non-store retailing venues have shown signs of stagnation at a growth rate of 20-30%, which is similar to the growth rate of the entire retail industry, convenience shops and non-store marketing have shown 60-70% growth over the same period. By comparison, the growth rate of cyber shopping malls has nearly tripled. When applying development aspects of retail businesses through the competition to the retail life cycle, mom-and-pop stores and traditional markets have already entered the decline phase as specialty stores reach their maturity phase and demonstrate their limit of growth. Department stores are now in the latter part of the growth phase, which is still considered to have some growth potential. Big super markets are still in the early part of their growth stage although they were introduced 20 years ago. Meanwhile, retail businesses such as convenience stores, supermarkets, mail order houses, and warehouse stores are entering the middle growth phase and are expected to continue with their quantitative growth. At a time when most retail businesses in Korea are in a state of development or in the full growth stage, what kind of new innovative retailing will appear and develop? Moreover, what growth engine will drive it? This study analyzes the appearance of innovative retailing and its development process by establishing a discussable consumer's choice model through the interlocking mutual behavior of differentiated competitiveness and consumers' choice based on an awareness of this issue. The analysis of the results of this study can be summarized as follows. First, if a new vacuum zone emerges at the retail market level, innovative retailing such as low price/low service or high price/high service will emerge simultaneously. Second, if the number of new businesses in the vacuum zone increases, this will create competitiveness among the businesses, and each retailer will develop raising of level. Third, if a new business that raises the level develops, competition between the new and the existing retailer will occur, and an assimilation process between the existing retailing and the new retailing will be unfolded. Fourth, each retailing will promote distribution innovations in order to break the frontier of the existing distribution technology, and other retailing will follow the innovator. On the basis of an analysis of the abovementioned results, this study presents the following three suggestions. First, responding to the consumer's decision-making process on the attributes of retail shops that promote differentiation in strategies, this study established a consumer's choice model that can be discussed in relation to changes in market share. Second, this study provided an analysis of the emerging and developmental processes of innovative retail businesses using a more precise logical structure on the basis of the consumer's choice model described in this study. Third, the development process of retail businesses discussed in this study presented retailing solutions regarding management aspects on how to compose a strong retail mix that can help retail businesses gain competitive advantages in the market.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.17-20
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• 2018

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to analyze and illustrate Amazon's business strategies and its success in terms of its distribution strategy and business practices. Research design, data, and methodology - This is an analytical case study that examines Amazon's business strategies to demonstrate the importance of technologies to the success and sustainability of its organization. Results - The analysis indicates that the business strategies, including technology, distribution infrastructure, and customer service, are the most vital factor for the success and rise of Amazon, and these strategies have separated Amazon from its competitors in both e-tail and brick and mortar retail industries. Conclusions - Given Amazon's continued growth that came with its constant strive for delivery and cost efficiency, technology innovation, and customer satisfaction, it was inevitable that Amazon would eventually venture into different types of businesses. The previous and current Amazon's business strategies demonstrate that Amazon will continue to focus on developing and implementing new and creative strategies to separate itself from the rest of the retail and e-businesses. Furthermore, retail businesses in the most high-tech countries in the world, including Japan, Korea, and Russia, may have to adopt business strategies that are similar to those of Amazon to maintain their competitiveness.

• 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 Distribution Science
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• v.12 no.11
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• pp.55-65
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• 2014

Purpose - This study aims to investigate the process of political changes in Japan, which has introduced regulatory policies for large-scale retail stores since the 1930s, as well as the examples, and suggests improvement schemes for our policies in Korea, which imposes restrictions on business hours and forced holidays in accordance with the current Distribution Industry Development Act. Research design, data, and methodology - After examining the political change processes related to large-scale retail stores in japan, this study analyzes individually regulated cases based on the ordinances enacted by each local government. Through case analysis in Japan, this study makes political suggestions that may be helpful for our country substantially. Results - Since there is an obvious possibility that our economic restrictions on business hours and mandatory holidays do not coincide with WTO GATS, it is necessary for large-scale distributors to introduce new social and environmental regulations similar to Japan, rather than imposing controls to restrict free competition and also introduce a policy to induce cooperation with small businesses for the advancement of the distribution industry. Thus, it is desirable to take measures on noise, waste, traffic, and parking for the preservation of the living environment in the surroundings when building new large-scale retail stores. It is also important to establish measures to improve the welfare of neighborhood residents and consumers, create a pleasant urban environment, and make it mandatory to make presentations at public hearings among residents. Furthermore, it should be mandatory to establish regional contribution plans when a retail store is established, and take measures to solve various civil complaints or problems that may occur after entering the market. Moreover, it is desirable for large-scale retail stores that entered the market to induce cooperation in performing various activities in the area with a strong sense that they are all members of the local economy. Conclusions - If introducing social regulations like in Japan, there is probably an advantage that the conflicts seen when large-scale retail stores enter the market are absorbed by adjusting the persons concerned within the established institution in order to establish a field to solve such conflicts systematically. In contrast, there are still concerns regarding chaotic operation without any active attempts to have a conversation with large-scale retail stores and local small merchants due to a sharp conflict among the persons concerned, and if it is a briefing session without any decision of the restrictions on their opening itself, there may be doubts with regard to their effectiveness. Moreover, if the de facto opening is restricted by the introduction of such a briefing session procedure, the choice of whether to protect the existing rights of large-scale retail stores might become problematic. However, such problems could be minimized in a way by forming a separate consultative group for all persons concerned including residents, local governments, professionals, civic organizations, small merchants, and massive retail store-related persons.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.17-26
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• 2016

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to measure the effect on the attributes for store selection and Korean government regulations for large retailers on consumption emotion. Research Design, Data, and Methodology - Using SPSS ver.22, factor analysis & Cronbach's alpha, correlation, and regression test were performed. The total of 287 questionnaires were used for the analysis Result - Familiarity, perceived price, and perceived image have a positive effect on consumption emotion, but perceived quality & service did not. The Consumption emotion had a positive effect on traditional market revisit intentions. Retail regulation preference has a mediate effect between consumption emotion and familiarity & perceived price. Retail regulation preference also has a mediate effect between consumption emotion and traditional market revisit intension. Conclusion - Relationship marketing with sincerity is very important to keep familiarity, perceived price and image. People's consumption trend was changed due to dual career couple and heavy traffic jam in big cities. Therefore, a retail regulation cannot be a right solution for revitalizing traditional markets. So we need to find out an actual situation and design a win-win strategy between large retailers and traditional market.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.10 no.11
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• pp.21-30
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• 2012

Purpose - This study aimed to analyze the strategy of late domestic entrants into the Chinese retail market, focusing on the case of Lotte-Mart, given that there are few studies on market entry strategies of domestic retail companies in China. Research Design, data, methodology - The methodology of this paper is a case study approach, focusing on literature reviews and a few interviews. We conducted a survey by disseminating questionnaires and conducting interviews focusing on the Chinese retail market, and analyzed Lotte-Mart's market entry strategy in China. Results - Lotte-Mart chose M&A as the mode of entry, pursuing quick market entry and rapid expansion. It chose small to medium size cities with relatively less competition. Subsequently, Lotte-Mart devoted significant effort towards localization, attempting to organize stores and assorting products to fit the Chinese consumers' preferences. It operated CSR programs to increase its brand awareness and to create a favorable brand image. Conclusions - Lotte-Mart now needs to devise alternative corporate strategies for business expansion and growth. An understanding of the Chinese retail market and the case study analysis of Lotte-Mart's market entry strategy offers significant insights for domestic retail companies looking to expand into China.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.53-58
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• 2018

Purpose - This study aims to examine how the time variations of customer satisfaction influence retail firms' performance. Research design, data, and methodology - The study employs yearly time series customer satisfaction data of Korean retail secured from the National Customer Satisfaction Index(NCSI) for the 2011~2016 period. Our data includes a total of 90 observations of 15 retail firms in 5 different sector(department store, filling station, large discount store, open market, TV home shopping). We obtained the firm performance data from the KIS Value database. The variables for financial performance include sales and net profit. Results - The results show that customer satisfaction has dynamic effects on retail firms' performance. More specifically, the time variation of customer satisfaction has the moderating effect on the linkage between customer satisfaction and financial performance as well as direct effects on the firms' financial performance. Conclusions - Customer satisfaction has the current effect lasting over time on firm performance and changes of customer satisfaction in positive direction also impact on firm performance. Retail firms need to not only focus on improving customer satisfaction in the current term, but make efforts to continuously enhance customer satisfaction in the long term.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.55-64
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• 2021

Purpose: This study empirically validates a research framework encompassing predictors hypothesized to affect the participation in sharing economy on O2O retail platforms. Research design, data, and methodology: The study examines the role of consumers' social capital and consumer citizenship as a net promoter of retail sales increase of sharing economy products. Using a convenience sampling method, this study used a questionnaire survey method to collect data from 400 adult consumers with previous experience of sharing economy who reside in the metropolitan areas of Seoul and Kyonggi Province, Korea. This study applied structural equation modeling to verify the structural relationships proposed as research hypotheses. Results: The study found a significant impact of social capital on sharing economy participation and the impact of consumer citizenship on sharing economy participation in retail settings. This study also confirmed that social identity and corporate image mediated the relationship between social capital (and citizenship) and sharing economy participation. Conclusions: The study results are expected to contribute to further understanding of the sharing economy's key success factors. The study results offer significant strategic implications for retail platform operators and individual retail operators of sharing economy.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.109-123
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• 2022

Purpose: This research presents a practical tool aimed at increasing collaboration between designers and marketers for effective retail space branding. We present a design-related information processing model (DIP Model), which is a schematic map that includes cognitive theories which have design applications to retail space branding. Research design, data and methodology: Through literature review and practitioner opinion survey, 43 theories pertaining to the brand communication in retail spaces were selected, and design applications of the theories were analysed through field trips to stores of global brands. Results: The DIP Model consists of two axes: the information processing axis (i.e., encoding vsretrieval) and the regulatory focus axis(i.e., promotion vs prevention). Theories related to information processing axis are theories that facilitate the encoding and retrieval of information as intended by the company. Theories related to regulatory focus axis are theories that reinforce positive cognition and prevent negative cognition regarding the brand. Conclusions: The DIP Model is developed as a tool to categorise cognitive theories that are applicable to the design of brand communication in retail spaces. As such, the model can provide a better understanding of the role of behavioural design, with the aim of building stronger brands in retail spaces.

• Korean Management Science Review
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.107-121
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• 2008

As to more efficiently manage the inventory in the retail supply chain and to meet the customer demand in a timely manner, vendor-managed inventory (VMI) has been widely accepted, which manages inventory in the retail supply chain via sharing information and collaborating with the retailers. Applying VMI generates vendor-managed inventory/distribution problem (VMIDP), which involves inventory management for both the vendor and the retailers, and the design of vehicle routes for delivery, to minimize the total operating cost in the supply chain. In this paper, we suggest a mixed integer programming (MIP) model to obtain the optimal solution for VMIDP in a two-echelon retail supply chain, and develop an efficient heuristic based on the operating principles of the MIP model. To evaluate the performance of the heuristic, its solution was compared with the one of the MIP model on a total of twenty seven test problems. As a result, the heuristic found optimal solutions on seven problems in a significantly reduced time, and generated a 4.3% error rate of total cost in average for all problems. The heuristic is applied to the case problem of the local famous franchise company together with GIS, showing that it is capable of providing a solution efficiently in a relatively short time even in the real world situation.