Large-format Retail Research Articles

Analyzing Customer Satisfaction: An Empirical Study on the Services Provided by Large Format Retail Stores in Tier-III Cities of India

Analyzing Customer Satisfaction: An Empirical Study on the Services Provided by Large Format Retail Stores in Tier-III Cities of India

Choosing a supplier of fuels and energy in large-format retail enterprises

Purpose: The overriding goal of the considerations is to indicate the assumptions and rule for the implementation of the procedure leading to the appointment of an appropriate fuel and energy supplier in large-format enterprises (L-FE), to the extent necessary to improve economic results. The choice will take into account both the size and structure of the resources that are at the disposal of the enterprise and the environmental conditions. The practical goal will be to develop a concept for the implementation of the procedure for the evaluation and selection of a supplier of energy carriers for the needs of a commercial entity. Design/methodology/approach: The research procedure will run through the following stages: 1. Presentation of the theoretical foundations by discussing concepts related to the functioning of the fuel and energy economy as well as indicating the methods and criteria for selecting a supplier. The research method used will be a review of the literature on the subject. 2. Recognition of the L-FE decision situation through the analysis of the subjective, objective and process structure. The research method used will be direct observation with participation. The observation will be carried out in four commercial networks (in total seven enterprises). 3. Setting the assumptions for the implementation of the procedure for the evaluation and selection of the supplier of energy carriers in L-FE. At this stage, the purpose of the procedure, its essence, stages and tasks of implementation as well as the procedure will be indicated. Responsible persons and contractors will be appointed. The evaluation criteria as well as the applicable entry and exit documents will be proposed. The research method used will be the expert method. Findings: The added value of the article is the answer to the question: how is the process of assessing and selecting the supplier of energy carriers in L-FE? The work indicates its goal, stages and tasks of implementation, applicable documents, methods of proceeding and evaluation criteria. The proposed solution contains practical guidelines. Should be noted that the adopted scheme of conduct and the method of its application in a trading enterprise creates the possibility of transferring the developed solutions to other economic systems. Originality/value: In this article, the actions taken have been focused on areas that have and will have an impact on reducing the costs of the company's operation and, consequently, on improving their competitive position on the market.

STORE ATMOSPHERIC FACTORS AT SELECT LARGE FORMAT RETAIL STORES IN HYDERABAD

Store Atmospherics is an innovative tool that retailers use to attract a number of customers into the store and retain them for longer time in the store. The share of large format retail stores in organized retail sector is increasing significantly. This paper is an empirical study of factors of Store Atmospherics from customers’ viewpoint. Data was collected through structured questionnaire from 75 respondents following convenience sampling technique. Reliability test and factor analysis were done using SPSS. Results show that Store Music, Store Decorations, Store Fragrance, Store Brightness, In-store Promotions and Ambience are the important Store Atmospheric factors. Large format retailers should focus more on these so as to increase their appeal to the customers and give them a good shopping experience so that favourable shopping outcomes follow.

EVALUATION OF THE COOPERATION OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PRODUCERS WITH LARGE-FORMAT RETAIL CHAINS – OPPORTUNITIES AND RISKS

The article outlines the importance of large-format trade in Polish FMCG retail. The principal part of the article consists of opinions of fruit and vegetable producers on the positive and negative aspects of cooperation with large-format networks. The article also makes an attempt to analyse the bargaining power of suppliers – fruit and vegetable producers – as well as the opportunities and risks related to the cooperation of farms with retail networks. Research was conducted with 24 producers supplying fruits and vegetables to the distribution centres of retail chains. The research shows that suppliers tend to note far more positive than negative aspects in cooperation with this distribution channel. The major advantages of cooperating with networks turned out to be the stability and certainty of sales of large batches of goods, the predictability of sales and an increase in the quality and safety of offered products. The most important obstacles to cooperating with these customers are: the dominant position of networks, imposing terms and conditions and prices of sales and over frequent promotions in networks. The study showed that the aggregate of incentives to cooperate with large-format retail chains was twice as high as the aggregate of disincentives.

Chemical weapons as potential tools in terrorist attacks – risks and preventive action

<i>This publication looks at shopping malls as a specific category of public facilities. It includes a diagnosis of their safety, pointing to specific irregularities and negligence that threaten them with exposure to possible terrorist attacks. The current international situation is examined, including the crisis that arose as a result of uncontrolled mass migration, which implied an increased threat from Islamic terrorism, which Europe has not yet learned to effectively respond to. A particularly dangerous instrument that can be used by modern terrorists is the chemical weapon. We give examples of its use in acts of terror. The research indicates that a high level of security for public facilities such as large commercial outlets, which accumulate a large number of customers in their premises, is a very important issue. The use of chemical weapons in shopping malls could lead to significant loss of civilian life, as civilians would be a defenceless target. The research process carried out by the author finally drew the conclusion that the current level of security for large-format retail centres does not provide optimal protection in the event of a chemical weapon attack. Therefore, implementing the articles recommendations should positively affect the diagnosed situation and have a significant impact on the improvement of the safety standards in public buildings such as shopping malls.</i>

Importance and territorial diversification of marketplace trade in Poland

Paper analyses the importance and the territorial diversification of marketplaces (open-air-markets) in Poland based on Eurostat and the Polish public statistical data. The study used methods of correlation, regression and principal components analysis. The results indicate that the surface of the sales surface of marketplaces in Poland per 1,000 residents varies greatly between regions. The level of analyzed variable is higher in regions with lower level of economic growth, higher inflation and higher unemployment rate. Marketplaces surface is also negatively associated with a number of large format retailers per 1,000 residents, population density and the degree of marketability of agricultural production.

The Structure of Retail Trade and Interactions Among Retail Network Establishments (On The Example of Biała Podlaska)

Abstract Subject and purpose of work: The subject of this work is to present contemporary trends and changes in retail trade as well as functions performed by this sector, with particular focus on large-format retail facilities. The aim of this article is to assess the state and development factors of large-format retailers in Biała Podlaska. Materials and methods: The article was created with the application of the descriptive method and based on the literature dealing with this issue and personal research. The research material was composed of the authors’ observations and a questionnaire survey conducted on the group of 100 inhabitants of Biała Podlaska. Results: The areas of retail services supplied by the retail network, distribution and mutual interaction between the main retail facilities and the development prospects of the retail network in the city were presented. Conclusions: The research confirms general changes in trade manifested by the expansion of super and hypermarkets, as well as discount stores, also in smaller cities, where chains adjust retail space to local conditions.

Big box battles: the Ontario Municipal Board and large-format retail land-use planning conflicts in the Greater Toronto Area

ABSTRACTThe Ontario Municipal Board is a quasi-judicial tribunal that is responsible for adjudicating municipal land-use planning appeals. The Board exerts considerable influence over property development outcomes. Big box retail as a form of commercial development has often been subject to planning conflict and appeal. This paper examines 65 big box retail Board appeals filed between 1993 and 2012 by developers and stakeholders independently or jointly in response to applications submitted at the municipal level throughout the Greater Toronto Area, Canada's largest metropolitan market. Results indicate the presence of game playing strategies used by participants that involves leveraging the potential of proceeding with a potentially expensive, time-consuming and uncertain hearing as a means to negotiate a settlement.

Odyssey in Calcutta: ?A Mystery Unsolved?

Problem statement: Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited (DCHL), the publishers of Deccan Chronicle in September 2005 approved the acquisition of south based retail chain Odyssey India Limited. Odyssey came with a Specialty Format, having introduced affluent product lines ranging from books to music, leisure, games and gifts. The success stories in all the 13 cities, mostly in the lush, sultry South, resulted in its rapid entry to the so called Culture Capital in July 2008. Odyssey launched one of the large format retail stores in South Calcutta with area coverage of nearly 30000 square feet. In its attempt to redefine leisure shopping experience for Calcutta’s people, they offered world-class ambience for undisturbed and relaxed shopping experiences. Within 10 months of its commencement, Odyssey closed down on 10th May 2009. Approach: The secondary data analysis had been done. The newspaper report, internet had been consulted to get the data. Results: A combination of expansion planned going wrong, high rentals and dipping spends made Mission Calcutta impossible for Odyssey. Within 10 months of its commencement, Odyssey closed down on 10th May 2009. What went wrong in such haste? Conclusion/Recommendations: Further research should be conducted based on the primary data. More conclusive results can be obtained if interviews of some employees of Odyssey Kolkata are conducted. Further a detailed questionnaire highlighting the attributes for estimating utility under conjoint analysis should be done.

Small Independent Merchants and Transnational Retail Encounters on Main Street: Some Insights from Bangkok

The aggressive expansion of retail transnational corporations is changing the face of much of emerging Asia's urban environment and prompting policy-makers to consider responses. Using cross-sectional survey data from 30 districts in Bangkok, this paper explores two issues: the impact of transnational, large-format retail on small, independent merchants; and, the ways in which the latter are attempting to cope with the stress associated with the arrival of the former, based on self-reported subjective measures of immediate marketing responses, sustained marketing efforts and organisational performance. The findings suggest that surviving incumbent merchants compete in different and mostly unfavourable environments compared with the status quo ante, with the overwhelming majority of these incumbents reporting negative impacts. In addition, the various responses of many of the incumbent independent merchants suggest that the latter may be unable to reverse the impact of the large retailers' arrival.

Regulatory Responses to Large-format Transnational Retail in South-east Asian Cities

Aggressive internationalisation by transnational chains is changing the face of the urban environment in much of emerging Asia. In south-east Asia, the period following the Asian financial crisis of 1997 provided an opportunity for the penetration of these transnational chains, particularly in the large-format retail sector-a development that has since presented planners and policy-makers with some difficult choices. This article inventories the differing policy responses of the governments of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand in the wake of the rapid spread of these transnational retail chains into their urban areas, with the aim to understand better the relative import and impact of these nascent regulatory frameworks.

Large format retailing in the US: a consumer experience perspective

Proponents of relationship marketing seek to develop and maintain long-term ties to their customers in the hope of having a loyal customer base. In this paper we examined large format retailing from the perspective of consumers’ experiences in these stores. Focus group interviews were conducted in two major US metropolitan areas and one medium size market. After analyzing the focus group content, several themes emerged related to patronage of large format retailers. These included the accuracy of prices when products were scanned and loyalty to store personnel based on familiarity. Large format supercenters were especially chided for their bigness and potential negative impact on smaller retailers. Attending to the details of the food retail business (accurate pricing, product availability, continuity of personnel) are ways in which consumers’ experiences in retail stores might be improved. Numerous choices and a diverse array of retail formats are available to consumers in the US market. Managerial implications are discussed in the light of a changing retail landscape.

Large format retailers: a French tradition despite reactions

French retailers have initiated large format stores: department stores in the middle of the 19th century and their variety stores; hypermarkets more than a century later. These large format retail stores induced reactions from the French government on several occasions. These reactions consisted in controlling new locations through specific committees. The impact of these reactions did not greatly affect the evolution of large format retail stores like hypermarkets. Regulations hurt variety stores more strongly when they were in competition with hypermarkets, because they were already declining. Otherwise, the hypermarket retail life cycle has not been affected despite some delays. Recent problems could mean the end of development and possibly of maturity stages for these large format retail stores.

Market entry effects of large format retailers: a stakeholder analysis

Identifies the effects associated with the entry of a large format (“big box”) retailer into a new market, especially a smaller one. A large format retailer can be a discount department store, category specialist, warehouse club, superstore, supercenter or hypermarket. In order to identify these effects, a review was made of published and unpublished studies. In addition, interviews were conducted among key informants including developers, urban planners and professionals, economic development officers, retail executives and store managers. The result of this research includes a documentation, analysis and discussion of numerous effects, including benefits to the consumer, differences in the demographics of large format store shoppers, rapid growth in the sales and market share of the new entrant, growth in the community economy, growth and decline in various commercial sectors, decline in the economy of nearby markets, creation and losses of jobs, and increases and decreases in market efficiency. Given these effects, suggests implications for each community stakeholder. Listed are a large number of questions for future research.