• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.5-18
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• 2018

Purpose - In recent years, new retail innovations have emerged in the Japanese eyeglasses industry and grown as a retail format. The purpose of this study is to establish the process model of retail format creation by examining how a retailer creates a retail format and under what kind of environmental conditions. Research design, data, and methodology - This study pointed out the weakness of the concept of the retail format in existing research on the retail format in existing research on the retail format variation theory and suggested the concept of "Formula" to analyze an individual retailer. This study categorized the subjects categorize the subjects of retail format creation into four categories, and analyzed JINS which is the retail format leader in the Japanese eyeglass industry. This study used secondary data because it is valid. Results - This research found "product handling skill," "changes to consumer purchasing patterns," and "competitive interaction" as environmental factors influencing retail format creation. This study highlighted how JINS adapted those environmental factors to create their original formula and suggested the process model of retail format creation through the JINS case study. Conclusions - This study discussed two theoretical implications and three managerial impressions which were derived from the JINS case study. This study also discussed limitations and further research issues.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.5-17
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• 2016

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to establish an conceptual framework to explain the mechanism of internationalization behavior being used by recently established retailer in emerging countries. Research design, data, and methodology - The existing research on retail internationalization has focused on global retailers located in advanced countries which have expanded their business to emerging countries. That is, "internationalization from top to bottom". However, recent years have seen a reversal in this trend, resulting in the emergence of "internationalization from bottom to top" by retailers based in emerging economies. In order to explore this reversal, this study attempts to develop an conceptual framework based on the theories of "innovation" and "retail format". Results - This study found an conceptual framework which was adopted both a concept of "formula" derived from the theory of retail format and a concept of "production and process innovation" derived from the theory of innovation as a core concept. Conclusions - The conceptual framework provided an understanding of how retailers in emerging countries have gained a competitive advantage over retail companies based in countries with advanced economies. It suggested that innovation that gave these companies a competitive edge was caused by competitive interaction which allowed them to expand to oversea markets.

• 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.20 no.7
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• pp.87-95
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the effects of Brand Coolness, Brand Love, and Self-brand Connections on Word-of-mouth positively. The retail format of Starbuck in Vietnam is successful in distribution applied when it becomes the place for customers to express themselves. Consumers are now aware about Brand Coolness of the Starbucks developed in Vietnam then turn to love the brand of store and connect themselves to the brand. In this study, the closest relationship to form the basis for consumer Word-of-mouth about a brand is the relationship between Brand Coolness and Brand Love. Results: The findings show that Brand Coolness and Brand Love are important value factors in customers' minds toward their behavior, form there, it will contribute to the brand store in distribution. Research design, data and methodology: This article used the quantitative technique utilizing PLS-SEM software to test the hypothesis with 600 samples. The data obtained shows that people have Word-of-mouth about the retail format of Starbucks in Ho Chi Minh City. Conclusion: The study has demonstrated the conclusions and proposed solutions to help beverage brands build Brand Love, thereby achieving coolness, connecting brands with themselves, leading to customer Word-of-mouth in a positive way towards retail format.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.113-125
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• 2023

Purpose: Support policies for small and medium-sized retailers (SMSRs) have been promoted in various ways over the past 20 years, but they are generally regarded as unsuccessful. The purpose of this study is to analyze the process and impact of policy changes, identify the reasons for the lack of success, and explore policy alternatives. Research design, data and methodology: This study explored major policies in various categories such as the retail industry, traditional markets, and Micro-Enterprises from the mid-1990s to the present. It also analyzed the short- and long-term impacts of major policies at the retail format level like SMSRs, using data from Statistics Korea's service industry survey. Results: This research found that sudden shifts in policy philosophy conflicted with the existing market structure and reduced the effectiveness of policies. It also found that policies aimed at improving competitiveness at the SMSRs-level had some effect, while polices aimed at supporting expenses at the individual store-level were difficult to achieve their intended purpose. Conclusions: The failure of the policy to support SMSRs is fundamentally due to the late response and conflicts between policies. It was also not successful due to the policy's focus on individual store-level expenses and maintaining employment rather than structural improvements of SMSRs format.

• 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.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.