Big Retailers Research Articles

Does Vertical Integration Always Reduce an Electricity Retailer’s Fixed Price Offer?

We use a profit-maximizing model of forward pricing, which revealed that an electricity retailer’s fixed price offer (FPO) contains a large forward premium that encourages vertical integration of a generation company and a retailer. However, vertical integration does not always reduce FPOs, particularly when residential customers are segmented by consumption size and price sensitivity. Hence, a proposed merger of a big generation company and a big retailer requires regulatory scrutiny.

Comparative Analysis of use of Machine Learning Algorithm for Prediction of Sales

Predicting sales holds immense importance for businesses, particularly for large retailers. It significantly influences decision-making processes and their subsequent execution. For big retail stores engaged in marketing and sales, accurate sales prediction is crucial for effectively allocating resources, estimating sales revenue, and devising future strategies. It empowers these stores to grasp market trends, make informed decisions, and adapt to evolving conditions, ensuring long-term viability and prosperity. Given the dynamic nature of trends and market conditions, traditional forecasting methods face significant challenges in keeping pace with rapid changes. This is where the application of machine learning algorithms becomes indispensable, especially when dealing with large and complex datasets. This paper delves into the exploration of various machine learning algorithms and models to predict sales, conducting comparative analyses to assess their performance.The overarching aim is to identify the most suitable algorithm or combination of algorithms through comprehensive analysis. Furthermore, the paper scrutinizes how the characteristics of the dataset impact the performance of these algorithms, offering valuable insights for selecting the most appropriate machine learning algorithm based on performance analysis. By leveraging these insights, businesses can enhance their sales prediction capabilities and make informed decisions, thereby maximizing their success in the marketplace.

Private banking development in China under two organizational structures: Economic analysis from an organizational innovation perspective

This paper investigates optimal decisions for private banking development in China under two innovative organizational structures—the big retail mode (BRM) and the independent development mode (IDM). Under the BRM, the retail and private banking divisions form a cooperative relationship wherein the former transfers high-net-worth customers to the latter. In addition, retail banking receives a share of private banking revenues. We investigate the optimal revenue-sharing ratio between the two divisions and the optimal effort by private banking to serve transferred customers within the cooperative relationship. The analytical results show that as the private banking division becomes more developed, the optimal revenue-sharing ratio decreases, and the private banking division’s optimal effort to serve transferred customers decreases because it puts more effort into acquiring new customers. Under the IDM, the two divisions form a competitive relationship since they compete to acquire customers independently. We investigate customer acquisition efforts in this interdivisional competition. Optimal customer acquisition efforts by both divisions increase in potential assets and rates of return. This paper contributes to the literature by (1) analyzing financial innovation by private banks from an organizational perspective; (2) providing an economic analysis for private banking development in China.

Motorcycles delivery innovation and performance of wholesale retail sector in Kenya

In Kenya, the wholesale and retail sector has been undergoing a difficult time that has seen some of the big retailers closing due to myriad challenges in their performance in the dynamic environment. This study sought to establish the influence of motorcycle delivery innovation on the performance of the wholesale and retail sectors in Kenya. The study was anchored on social exchange theory. The research philosophy adopted for the study was positivism. A descriptive research design using a quantitative approach was used in this study. The study targeted all wholesale and retail shops in 47 counties in Kenya that employed commercial motorcycles for their last-mile delivery of goods. Systematic sampling and simple random sampling techniques were employed to select a sample size of 383 respondents and a questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive and inferential analysis was undertaken across all variables using SPSS software. The findings indicated that there was a strong relationship between delivery innovations and the performance of the wholesale and retail businesses in Kenya (0.785). On the hypotheses, the study found that motorcycle delivery innovation had a statistically significant influence on the performance of wholesale and retail businesses in Kenya (t = 16.560, p=0.000 <0.05). The study concluded that motorcycle delivery innovations/solutions have a strong and statistically significant relationship with the performance of wholesale and retail businesses. The study recommends that wholesalers, retailers, and motorcyclists to have collaboration as they have mutual benefits. The study suggests that another study can be conducted to investigate the influence of embracing motorcycles by online businesses on their performance and growth.

Comparison of nutritional composition between plant-based drinks and cow's milk.

The high decline in liquid milk consumption in Western countries has been compensated by the increased consumption of processed dairy products and the rapidly increasing number of new plant-based beverages constantly introduced in the market, advertised as milk substitutes and placed on shelves near milk products. To provide better understanding about the nutritional value of these drinks compared with cow's milk, 27 plant-based drinks of 8 different species and two milk samples were purchased from two big retailers in Switzerland, and their composition regarding protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamin, and mineral contents and residue load [glyphosate, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), and arsenic] was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Energy and nutrient intakes were calculated and compared with the dietary reference values for Germany, Austria and Switzerland (D-A-CH). In addition, the digestible indispensable amino acid score (DIAAS) was calculated to estimate the quality of the proteins. Milk contained more energy; fat; carbohydrate; vitamins C, B2, B12, and A; biotin; pantothenic acid; calcium; phosphorus; and iodine than most plant-based drinks. Soy drinks provided slightly more protein and markedly more vitamins B1 and B6, folic acid, and vitamins E and D2 (with supplemented vitamin D2) and K1, magnesium, manganese, iron, and copper than milk and the other plant-based drinks. However, with the exception of cow's milk and soy drinks, which had > 3% protein, most milk alternatives contained ≤ 1% protein; therefore, they cannot be considered good protein sources. In regard to protein quality, milk was outstanding compared with all plant-based drinks and exhibited higher calculated DIAASs. Our results show that the analyzed plant-based drinks are not real alternatives to milk in terms of nutrient composition, even if the actual fortification is taken into account. Improved fortification is still an issue and can be optimized using the most bioavailable and soluble derivatives. Complete replacement of milk with plant-based drinks without adjusting the overall diet can lead to deficiencies of certain important nutrients in the long term.

Development of a retail supply chain process reference model incorporating Lean Six Sigma initiatives

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is the development of a reference model contributing to the identification of the retail supply chain activities that can be improved by the implementation of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) initiatives, following DMAIC steps and using proposed tools, based on contemporary technologies and best practices.Design/methodology/approachThe reference model was developed combining the existing literature knowledge about the areas of supply chain that LSS can improve and the data collected by two big retailers in Greece about their supply chain operation. The integration of two sources of information led to the modeling of the retail supply chain processes and the proposal of appropriate LSS initiatives for their improvement.FindingsThis paper aimed to detect the pain points of a retail supply chain, which can be achieved by following the steps of DMAIC and applying specific LSS initiatives as described in the reference model, to introduce the trends of the sector in terms of logistics and supply chain.Practical implicationsThe reference model of this paper can be used as a comprehensive guide of LSS implementation in the retail supply chain and help the companies of such a significant sector for the economy.Originality/valueThe literature review revealed that there is a lack of publications concerning LSS implementation in retail supply chain and in the retail sector in general. The development of this model contributes to the filling of this gap by providing a complete reference model, which strives to overcome the barriers of LSS adoption in retail supply chain.

Market Basket Analysis using Apriori Algorithm

A Technique that check for dependency for one Data item to another is Association Rule which is an old Data mining approach. Which is used to identify the next product that might interest a customer. The Apriori Algorithm is applied in this for mining frequent products sets and relevant Association rule. With this algorithm we can use this for up-sell and also in cross-sell to show the Association rule with the help of the algorithm. These methods are widely used in global companies, so for the good understanding the companies used the methods to remain up to date that what customers demands with which products. The results helps the big retailers to identify a trend for customers buying patterns, which is very helpful information for the retailers to plan their big business operations.

Certification paradox: Reverse response on the non-hygiene restaurant certification

Prior research investigated the effect of restaurant hygiene certification and discovered that restaurateurs make greater efforts to maintain hygiene quality, effectively resolving the information asymmetry. With the proliferation of non-hygiene certificates, little effort has been made to research the impacts of non-hygiene certifications. In addition, the influence of brand has not been adequately examined in earlier certificate studies. For the purpose of this study, a scenario-based questionnaire was randomly distributed in a big retail complex in Seoul, Korea. Consistent with prior studies, we found in general positive influence of non-hygiene certificate and high brand equity in customer trust and behavior intention. Based on 737 useable responses, however, this study revealed that the once-beneficial impact of non-hygiene certification on high-end restaurants has unexpectedly reversed, resulting in the certification paradox. This paradox has also been discovered in customer trust by a strong negative three-way interaction effect of cognition at a high-end restaurant with a non-hygiene certificate. This is the inverse of what was expected. Customers may be dubious of a high-end restaurant that displays a non-hygiene certification, resulting in a reduced level of trust when combined with consumer cognition. It implies that the government's simple accumulation of multiple certificates may have unintended repercussions. To put it another way, supplying a lot more information through certificates damages consumer trust and behavior intention. Finally, this study confirmed that customer trust appears to be a pure mediator between certification, brand equity, and behavior intention.

Legal status of farmers involved in short food supply chains, a comparative study

The legal status of farmers involved in food marketing is not determined by the EU legislator, however, EU policy encourages farmers’ participation in short food supply chains. The article aims to determine whether a farmer selling his products, both processed and unprocessed is subject to a favourable legal regime intended for the agricultural sector, or whether this activity qualifies him as a commercial entrepreneur. The legislation of three EU Member States and the law of the USA were subject to a comparative legal analysis, based on the dogmatic method. The study found that under the EU Member States’ law, farmers involved in short food supply chains are granted a privileged agricultural status, which certainly strengthens their market position in competition with food businesses and big retailers and is an incentive to undertake and conduct the activity of agri-food marketing. In turn, under American law, agricultural activity and direct marketing are economic activities that cause farmers to operate within a business as an entrepreneur. The main tool to support the participation of US farmers in short food supply chains is financial programmes offering incentives to direct marketing. It was concluded that the systemic legal solutions, as in the presented legislation of the EU countries, in contrast to aid programmes, provides farmers with favourable conditions in the long term, without additional bureaucracy and the need to fill out documents and applications, thus giving them a sense of confidence and stability in engaging in food direct marketing.

The Evaluation of Business Tools for Encouraging Social Responsibility in Older Consumers

Being close to consumers, retail chains have a considerable influence on the formation of social responsibility in society. By applying various means of encouragement, these entities try to draw the attention of consumers to problems in the society and encourage them to contribute to socially responsible activities. The aim of this research was to evaluate whether the means of promoting social responsibility applied in the biggest retail chains of Lithuania selling alimentary products have an influence on a consumer and encourage them to contribute to the promotion of the idea of social responsibility. Analyses of scientific literature, qualitative approaches based on 482 in-depth interviews, analyses of data obtained during the survey, mathematical–statistical analyses and comparative analyses were applied in this research. This article represents the results of the obtained research and emphasizes the main factors promoting and limiting the social responsibility of consumers. It was identified that the social responsibility of consumers in the field of environmental protection is formed by information provided by business entities, company images and other people surrounding the consumer. Social responsibility in the field of charity and support was influenced by information provided by business entities and other people’s opinions. Furthermore, the article concludes with the development of models showing which elements business entities should orient towards in order to promote the social responsibility of consumers in the field of environmental protection or charity and support. The compiled model can be used by all business subjects acting in the retail trade and trying to encourage users to become involved in socially responsible activities.

Delineation of UK Retail Sector: An Actor-Network Perspective

This paper provides a contextual discussion about the UK retail market by screening the relevant literature bodies. The UK retail market is analyzed in terms of its dynamic; the influence market concentration, globalization, and supply chains, and the emerging shifts in the power position. Drawing on ANT, the paper shows how this market comprises a set of networks of various human and non-human actors who interact and negotiate among themselves. It also shows how the power of the UK’s big retailers can be regarded as a consequence of these networks and the interrelationship between them.
 
 Received: 14 October 2021 / Accepted: 11 January 2022 / Published: 5 March 2022

The transformative and evolutionary approach of omnichannel in retail companies: insights from multi-case studies in Portugal

PurposeOmnichannel implementation in retail requires business transformation and faces several operational barriers. This research discusses how omnichannel has been implemented, in a managerial perspective, and how integration of operations has overcome the identified transformative barriers.Design/methodology/approachThe authors followed a multi-case study approach, with observation and interviews with managers of four big retail companies in Portugal.FindingsThe results suggest that retail companies have overcome the barriers to implement omnichannel models through the integration of information technology (IT), the accomplishment of organisational changes and the optimisation of customer feedback, achieving positive business indicators, namely increased sales.Research limitations/implicationsThe conclusions of the paper provide valuable information to help companies to design the process of channel's integration in order to overcome the transformative constraints of omnichannel. However, those conclusions emerge from Portuguese case studies of retail companies, and a generalised discussion should consider the contextual diversity of consumer expectations, cultural user experiences in retail and the maturity of digital transformation and omnichannel implementation stage in each country.Originality/valuePrevious studies had characterised the items of omnichannel retail, fulfilment processes, the benefits of channels' integration in customer experience, satisfaction and loyalty and had identified barriers for its implementation. Considering the existence of different stages of omnichannel implementation, this paper explores how retail companies increment omnichannel operations, overcome transformative barriers and achieve the omnichannel benefits, through the whole involvement of the organisation system, the customer approach and the business model, besides the technology integration.

The Role Of Big Data In The Formation Of Supply Chain Platforms For New Forms Of Online Retail

In the context of internet age, data is growing explosively in the Chinese retail industry. However, there is insufficient research of the theoretical frameworks and interaction relationships between big data, supply chain platforms, and online retail. Through a literature review, an empirical case study survey of Alibaba, and grounded theory, this paper explores how big data helps shape supply chain platforms able to support new forms of online retail. The theoretical framework was validated by testing the reliability and the open coding to process of the case study materials. The results identify the overall antecedents to the formation of the supply chain platform and reveal significant positive effects between big data and new retail. The findings help firms build big-data driven supply chain platforms better able to support new forms of online retail.

Consumer preferences for parcel delivery methods

In the Netherlands, as in many other densely populated countries, home delivery is the dominant way of delivering online ordered parcels. This is mainly because big retail companies offer this delivery option for free. Due to the expansion of e-commerce, home delivery that typically makes use of diesel vans puts increasing pressure on logistics service providers, their employees, traffic, and the environment. Increased use of service points or parcel lockers could relieve some of this pressure, but these delivery alternatives are barely used by Dutch consumers. The goal of this paper is to better understand how consumers can be stimulated to use pick-up points and in particular parcel lockers. To achieve this goal, a stated choice experiment was conducted among Dutch e-commerce consumers, in which they made choices between home delivery, service point, and parcel locker alternatives that systematically varied in costs, delivery moment, and distance. The application of the model to predict choices under a number of scenarios makes clear that even a small increase in home delivery costs together with an expansion of parcel lockers that decreases the distance to the parcel lockers, could severely reduce the choice for home delivery: home delivery is predicted to reduce from 71% to only 7%. This suggests that there is potential for breaking through the dominance of home delivery.

Omnichannelling and the Predominance of Big Retailers in the post-Covid Era

The Covid 19 pandemic has profoundly affected the competitive context of retail companies. Multiple changes have occurred both in consumer behaviour, in retail strategy and marketing channels. In particular, the pandemic has accelerated the use of digital technology in the processes of physical purchase and distribution of retail products, favouring new forms of integration between physical and online channels (so-called omnichannelling). Many brick&mortar stores have closed down, others have modified their original logistic functions in favor of the new digital integrated ones, with a smaller number of point of sales assuming the connotation of flagship stores with greater force. Some cases confirm the acceleration that took place towards the integration and redefinition of the roles of physical and online channels. The biggest retailers empower their predominance in the global markets. Smaller operators could renew their role by shaping new forms of collaboration to survive.

Moldovan- EU Economic Cooperation: The Role and Potential of Agricultural Sector

Agriculture is one of the most important aspects of every country's economy. The Republic of Moldova enjoys a competitive advantage in agricultural output due to its excellent soil and temperate temperature. The Association Agreement between Moldova and the European Union (EU), which was signed in 2014, greatly increased Moldovan producers' access to EU markets. The EU is Moldova's most significant economic partner, accounting for over 70% of the country's exports in 2019. In general, integrating Moldovan food producers into global value chains through supply chain connections with big retailers and exports helps them to scale up, improve productivity, and eventually contribute more to Moldova's economic growth. The developments in Moldova's agricultural and food trade following the establishment of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) with the European Union are examined in this study. The study will look at Moldova's foreign trade activities from the standpoint of agriculture and food goods.

Accounting for Normalizing Oppression in the Global Supply Chain of Fast Fashion

Accounting and its relation to oppression, i.e., why and how a workforce in the global supply chain has been systematically, structurally and institutionally oppressed, is inadequately investigated in the accounting literature. This study enhances our understanding by delineating the association of accounting and management practices with normalizing oppression beyond the protected characteristics of a social group. It shows that oppression of workers begins with the exploitative subcontracting business model and the hegemony of Western retailers towards manufacturing countries because of widespread power differences. The multifaceted oppression such as abuse, punish, humiliation, sexual harassment, physical assault, and even killing of workers are normalized through accounting controls, social and cultural norms, state laws and regulations and state-led violence in manufacturing factories. It appears that oppression becomes normalize when accounting (and absence of accounting) practices rationalize, socialize, and institutionalize the oppressive business model of supply chain and hegemonic managerial styles of local factories to secure the benefits of big retailers, capitalists, manufacturers, politicians, and state legislators of an undemocratic/less-democratic country. Sustainable accounting practices, accountability, and good governance with vigilant laws thus are required to eradicate oppression from the global supply chain.

Role of perceived countries’ advantages of cashless economy in behavioral intentions of using cashless transactions: an empirical analysis

PurposeThe ultimate aim of this paper is to contribute an extension of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model. The modified UTAUT provides a better explanation for the adoption of cashless transactions. However, it does not consider individuals’ perceived countries’ advantages when cashless transactions are made in the economy. Hence, this research investigates whether individuals’ perceived countries’ advantages of the cashless economy influence behavioral intentions of using cashless transactions.Design/methodology/approachA structured questionnaire has administered with 375 respondents in selected commercially vibrant places, such as Shopping Malls, big retail shops, hotels, and the like, covering the 15 zones of Greater Chennai city Corporation, India. From the 375 respondents, 325 respondents returned the filled-in questionnaire in time. For analysis, exploratory factor analyses used for underlying new latent factors from the identified variables used for measuring the individuals’ perceived countries’ advantages of a cashless economy. After identifying the latent factors, the extracted factors regressed with the intention level of using cashless transactions to validate the influence of newly identified factors.FindingsThe results of the regression analysis proved that the identified new factors, such as Perceived Economic Offense Reduction (PEOR), Perceived Economic Benefit (PEB), and Perceived Economy’s Security (PES), are positively and significantly influencing the behavioral intention of using cashless transactions.Research limitations/implicationsThis study’s unique contribution is the validation of a measurement scale based on individuals’ perception of countries’ advantages when cashless transactions are made in the economy. The scale development in the present study is an essential step toward the advancement of the UTAUT research model, and this study also proved that identified new latent factors such as PEOR, PEB and the PES are positively and significantly influencing individuals’ behavioral intention toward the use of the cashless transaction. Hence, this study’s result may help contribute an extension of the UTAUT model in a comprehensive view, and this extension may enrich UTAUT’s ability to explain and predict the acceptance of cashless transactions.Originality/valueIn recent literature, many conceptual and empirical studies have discussed the countries’ advantages resulting from cashless transactions. This study attempts to integrate those advantages as variables through measurement instruments, whether they influence the behavioral intention to use cashless transactions from the general public perspective.

Green in-store Processes and Sustainability of Large Retailers in Pakistan: The Role of Green Supply Chain Processes

Purpose – Green supply chain management and sustainability research is mostly made on studies focusing on manufacturing companies, while research on the retail sector is missing. Moreover, literature, still lack the mechanism through which the green in-store process leads to sustainable performance. For this, we applied the Petljak et. al. (2018) model to large retailers of Pakistan. We hypothesize a strong interaction between green in-store activities, GSCM, and performance outcomes. We also assess the Triple Bottom Line in retail separately. Green In-Store Process was measured by 1. Water and Energy Management (E&W), 2. Waste Management (WM), and 3. Green Consumption (GC). Green Supply Chain constitutes 1, Green Logistics (GL), 2. Green Purchasing (GP), 3. Co-operation with Supplier (CWS). And Finally, Sustainability was measured by TBL i.e., Environmental (ENV), Economic (ECO), and Social (SOC) Performance. Design/methodology/approach – The paper builds on empirical evidence gathered from 70 supermarkets and larger retail stores in Pakistan using a close-ended questionnaire. It is qualitative research. The identified relationships in the conceptual model are tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling. Findings – The results show a positive relationship between all green in-store activities and all three sustainability performance. Similarly, green in-store activities also seem to positively affect Green Purchasing (GP) and Co-operation with Supplier (CWS). GP and CWS in turn affect social and environmental outcomes. Hence there seems to be a clear mediatory effect of GP and CMW in the impact of green in-store activities on social and environmental performance. Green logistics (GL) also seems to have a strong and positive mediation in explaining the effect of green consumption on economic and environmental performance. Implications – It is recommended that organizations, particularly big retailers in Pakistan should focus on environmental problems and executing green practices to get long term benefit. Originality/value – Although the number of studies conducted on environmental issues increases in Pakistan, but this is the first study that has capture GSCM along with TBL on the big scale retail sector of Pakistan. Moreover, it is the first empirical analysis on the relationship between green in-store activities and GSCM that has cover social performance as well as performance outcomes in the context of Pakistan.

New Retail a Game Changer for Sustainable Development

The concept “new retail” in e-commerce is to establish an offline channel and integrate it with the online retail channel. Retailing in India is one of the pillars of its economy and accounts for about 10 percent of its GDP. Indian retailing is dominated by small stores and street stands, known as the “unorganized” sector. 92% of all retailing by value falls into this sector. As of 2003, India's retailing industry was essentially owner manned small shops. In 2010, larger format convenience stores and supermarkets accounted for about 4 percent of the industry, and these were present only in large urban centers came into being. As much as 90 per cent of India's USD 700 billion retail market still is unorganized, made up mostly of neighborhood kirana stores selling groceries and other sundries. These stores faced losses due to the growth of organized retail and now due to the Pandemic but still 12 million strong Kirana stores of India, remain strong as they offer ubiquitous and fast delivery of goods across the length and breadth of the country. This network cannot be matched by any of the large retail giants. Unveiling what is termed as a $700 billion opportunity the big retail giants are now tying up with Kirana stores and even the Govt of India is integrating them in the E-Commerce model, for example Reliance Jio and Facebook Inc. joined hands to power Reliance Retail’s JioMart. Soft-launched in December 2019 as ‘Desh Ki Nayi Dukaan’. This model adopted by Reliance Company is what is termed as New Retail or New commerce. ‘New retail’, term was coined by Alibaba founder Jack Ma to denote the blurring boundaries between online and offline retail. The main purpose of new retail is to completely transform the unorganized retail market, which accounts for 90% of India’s retail industry. Integrating offline with online is what is termed as New Retail which is creating a critical intersection between the value proposition for the consumer as well as the merchant.This research paper is an attempt to analyze all the developments, the practicing of new retail , its contribution to the country’s development.