Retail Organizations Research Articles

The benefits and pitfalls of contemporary pop-up shops

As e-commerce growth continues to surpass that of brick-and-mortar retail, temporary retail spaces, also known as pop-up shops, are becoming an important promotional strategy, especially for online retailers and service providers. Success in today’s retail environment means being able to create and maintain brand communities, to generate instant and measurable hype, and to deliver personalized consumer experiences—all of which can be readily achieved through a strategically placed physical business presence. In this study, a survey of retailing organizations worldwide reveals that among those that had implemented at least one pop-up shop, more than 80% considered it a success. The results also show that the primary reasons for activating pop-up shops were to create connections with current and potential customers, to increase brand awareness, to introduce a new product or brand to the marketplace, and to stage a new product or brand. While the respondents deemed revenue generated at pop-up shops important, they considered improving market visibility (e.g., through social media, website traffic, or media coverage) a more significant objective. Given the economic potential of pop-up shops, this research provides retailing organizations with guiding principles for developing and operating successful pop-up shops in the current marketplace.

Outcomes of leader empowering behaviour in a retail organisation

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the associations leader empowering behaviour have with person–environment fit, job satisfaction and intention to leave. Design/methodology/approach: A cross-sectional survey design was used with a sample ( N = 398) of retail employees from Gauteng. The Leader Empowering Behaviour Questionnaire, Job Satisfaction Scale, Perceived Fit Scale and Turnover Intention Scale were administered. Structural equation modelling was performed to assess the study hypotheses. Findings/results: Findings showed that leader empowering behaviour is positively associated with person–environment fit and job satisfaction, whereas it is negatively associated with the intention to leave. Practical implications: When leaders share the right amount of power, information, decision-making authority and skills development opportunities with their employees; coach them well; and hold them accountable for controllable outcomes, it should enable them to establish a well-fitted, satisfied and committed workforce. Originality/value: Studies assessing leader empowering behaviour as an antecedent of person–environment fit have been scarce.

Modernizing Retailers in an Emerging Market: Investigating Externally-focused and Internally-focused Approaches

This paper studies the impact of business modernization on the sales performance of traditional retailers. We define modernization as adopting tangible structures and business practices of organized retail chains (for example, exterior signage with store name and logo, or a database to record product-level information). To address our research question, we implement a randomized field experiment in Mexico City with 1148 traditional retail firms. Our sample is randomized into three groups: 385 firms that we externally modernize in ways that are visible to customers; 383 firms that we internally modernize in ways that are not visible to customers; and 380 firms form a control group. We find a significant and persistent main effect of modernization on sales: firms in both treatment groups increase monthly sales by 15% to 19%, even 24 months after study recruitment. In terms of novel mechanism evidence, we find that externally-modernizing firms improve their store-level branding, while internally-modernizing firms strengthen their product management. These results have important implications for multinational managers who distribute products through traditional retail channels, and for policymakers interested in improving firm performance in the retail sector of emerging markets.

Smart Retailing in COVID-19 World: Insights from Egypt

COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on business in general and the retail sector in particular which was hardly hit as sales fell by 20 percent during this period. The main challenges that face retailers nowadays during COVID-19 outbreak include: balance in supply and demand; safety of employees; trust between retailer and consumer; distribution - transportation capability; shortage of manpower and consumer behavior (Fernandes, 2020; Kumar et al., 2020; Pantano et al., 2020). Yet, retailers around the world started to understand the benefits and new opportunities offered by smart technologies (Inman and Nikolova, 2017; Renko and Druzijanic, 2014). New technologies like internet of things (IoT) can play a significant role in controlling the pandemic situation in the retail sector and are expected to bring substantial benefits such as lower labor costs, increased efficiency, attraction of new shoppers and the generation of new revenue channels (Roy et al., 2017; Vaishya et al., 2020; Wünderlich et al., 2013). However, only a limited number of retailers has adopted IoT due to the huge financial investments required and uncertainty of customers' acceptance (Alkemade and Suurs, 2012; Evans, 2011; Pantano et al., 2013). It is, thus, expected to see smart retailers taking a series of actions over the short to medium term to conserve cash and structure of their company for post-COVID-19 operations. This research aims to explore the retailers' perceptions towards the adoption of smart retail technologies in Egyptian retailing context throughout conducting a series of semi-structured interviews with mid-to-top level management in different retail organisations and discuss the advantages and challenges expected from smart retail technologies adoption. Moreover, the research explains how smart retail can help overcoming uncertainities and is considered a well managed response strategy by retailers to COVID-19.

Influence of data-driven supply chain quality management on organizational performance: evidences from retail industry

PurposeThe objective of the study is to test a conceptual model based on the interrelation between data-driven supply chain quality management practices (DDSCQMP) and the performance of organized retailing firms in India.Design/methodology/approachBased on a comprehensive review of literature, the dimensions of DDSCQMP concerning the Indian organized retail sector have been extracted. Considering the research objectives, the research data has been collected using a structured questionnaire from Indian retailers. Overall 133 questionnaires were responded successfully from retailers. The model was tested using structured equation modeling (SEM) through PLS 3.0.FindingsThe research findings confirm hypotheses and reveal the statistically significant relationship between DDSCQMP and retailers' performance at an aggregate level. However, the results of the individual-level analysis of DDSCQMP appear to vary from practice to practice. Among various DDSCQMP, “customer focus” with the highest beta (ß) value was found to have the greatest impact on performance followed by “employee relations”.Originality/valueThe study provides empirical justification for a structural model that identifies a positive and significant relationship between DDSCQMP and organizational performance within the context of organized retail sector of India.

Extending the Margin of Safety Concept to Brick-and-Mortar Retailing in India (MoSR-b)

The Margin of Safety (MoS) concept is predominantly used in Investment, Accounting, Structural Engineering, and Medicine domains of study. Irrespective of the domain of study the MoS concept plays a crucial role in accounting for any uncertainty. We could simply assert that the concept of MoS is relevant and necessary for brick-and-mortar (B&M) retailers in India. In the context of B&M retailing we define MoS as the level of immunity developed by a B&M retailer over unexpected short-term market disruptions such as (a) the shutdown of specific locality forced by political parties or other organizations; (b) entry of new competitors in a catchment; (c) lucrative offers floated by competitors in the catchment, etc., and long-term market disruptions such as (a) lockdown of a locality owing to public health safety measures (for instance, Covid-19 lockdown); (b) shutdown of a locality for civil and infrastructural development works; (c) entry of new retailing formats (for instance, Online stores), etc. In this paper, we have developed a conceptual framework (MoSR-b) that would enable B&M retailers in India to develop a margin of safety to overcome short and long-term market disruptions and uncertainties. In developing the MoSR-b, we have adopted recommendations from existing literature that are known and suitable for Indian retailing in the context of MoS, in addition to identifying (i) new elements capable of developing the MoS, and (ii) borrowing insights from multiple empirical and qualitative studies, field experiments, and evaluation of consumer-level transactions. Instead of limiting the scope of MoS to just a few financial aspects of the business, our MoSR-b framework extends the scope of MoS in becoming the core of achieving business operational efficiencies in addition to providing early indications on the immunity level of a retail organization against short and long-term market disruptions.

Scent Marketing – Harnessing the Power of Scents in stimulating senses of Organized Retail Consumers and Employees

‘Scent’ has a tremendous influence on the way people shop and relate to brands. Branding has always been about establishing emotional ties between the brand and the customer. By influencing the senses, brands can establish a stronger and longer lasting emotional connection with the customer and finally be memorable. While research doesn't clearly point to pleasant smells boosting sales, stores are embracing scent marketing as a way to create exciting store ambience. The present study is an attempt to examine the impact of ambient Scent on the customers’ and employees’ of organized retail stores.

The Role of ERP Information to Support Decision Making Process: Field Study on Panda Retail Company (Mobile Inventory Management System)

The ERP is the main source of business data while store mobile inventory management is one of very important modules in ERP that cover a critical role for retail organizations such as Panda retail company. The goal of this study is to show the high correlation between information and effective decision-making process. Descriptive analysis research method was used in this study where theoretical data collected from published papers, in Jeddah city (60) employees of mobile inventory management system users participated the survey and statistical techniques such as frequency tables, Percentages, Average value, standard deviation, etc. This used survey consists of 3 companies namely the effectiveness of information to support decision making, the effectiveness of store mobile inventory management at Panda retail company, the effectiveness of ERP for organizations. The key results of this study clarifies that it’s very important to have as much as possible data and the relationships between data at any point of time to identify problems, analyze them in order to make the most effective decisions and role of ERP in providing such information at any point of time. Recommendations had been provided such as the importunacy of ERP, modern business applications, and technology to improve business outcomes and provide continues learning and development culture for employees to increase their competencies to use these digital tools.

Using multi-criteria decision making for selecting picking strategies

Choosing an order picking strategy is one of the most important decisions related to warehouse management. Making this decision properly can lead to high standards of efficiency, since order picking represents more than a half of a wholesale and retail organization’s operational costs and consumes a huge amount of the resources allocated to warehouse labor. Moreover, some productivity and service-oriented objectives related to order picking are sometimes conflicting, and require managers’ preferences to be considered, thus making the decision problem multi-objective and complex. We put forward a multicriteria decision model based on the ELECTRE III method that supports how to choose an order picking strategy. It takes managers’ preferences into consideration and integrates all the core elements for assessing how picking is being performed. Results showed that the model is able to identify the strategy that yields the best compromise between the objectives of productivity and the service-oriented ones, and that this strategy also represents the organization’s aims.

Extending the Margin of Safety Concept to Brick-and-Mortar Retailing in India (MoSR-b)

The Margin of Safety (MoS) concept is predominantly used in Investment, Accounting, Structural Engineering, and Medicine domains of study. Irrespective of the domain of study the MoS concept plays a crucial role in accounting for any uncertainty. We could simply assert that the concept of MoS is relevant and necessary for brick-and-mortar (B&M) retailers in India. In the context of B&M retailing we define MoS as the level of immunity developed by a B&M retailer over unexpected short-term market disruptions such as (a) the shutdown of specific locality forced by political parties or other organizations; (b) entry of new competitors in a catchment; (c) lucrative offers floated by competitors in the catchment, etc., and long-term market disruptions such as (a) lockdown of a locality owing to public health safety measures (for instance, Covid-19 lockdown); (b) shutdown of a locality for civil and infrastructural development works; (c) entry of new retailing formats (for instance, Online stores), etc. In this paper, we have developed a conceptual framework (MoSR-b) that would enable B&M retailers in India to develop a margin of safety to overcome short and long-term market disruptions and uncertainties. In developing the MoSR-b, we have adopted recommendations from existing literature that are known and suitable for Indian retailing in the context of MoS, in addition to identifying (i) new elements capable of developing the MoS, and (ii) borrowing insights from multiple empirical and qualitative studies, field experiments, and evaluation of consumer-level transactions. Instead of limiting the scope of MoS to just a few financial aspects of the business, our MoSR-b framework extends the scope of MoS in becoming the core of achieving business operational efficiencies in addition to providing early indications on the immunity level of a retail organization against short and long-term market disruptions.

Transforming food retail for better health: The Healthy Stores 2020 trial

Abstract Background How food is promoted in food retail settings impacts population diet. Foods high in sugar, fat and/or salt are promoted by retailers to attract impulse purchases. To combat the high burden of chronic disease and associated conditions confronting society we examined the impact of restricted retail merchandising (promotion and visibility) of discretionary food and beverages on sales and business outcomes. Methods We conducted a pragmatic randomised controlled trial in partnership with a retail organisation operating stores in remote communities of Australia (the Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation). Twenty consenting stores were allocated to the 12-week intervention (7-point Healthy Stores 2020 strategy) or to usual retail practice. Four intervention stores with retail competition implemented a modified 6-point strategy. Weekly sales data were used to assess intervention impact on free sugars (g) to energy (MJ) (primary outcome) derived from all purchased food and beverages. Impact on gross profit and sales of targeted food and beverages was also assessed. Managers of intervention stores were interviewed to determine their views on customer response and impact on retail practice. Results Free sugars were reduced by a relative 2.8% (95% CI -4.8, -0.7). There were significant reductions in free sugars from targeted beverages (-6.4%; -11.1, -1.5) and soft drinks (-12.5%; -18.1, -6.5). Gross profit was not impacted adversely. Managers mostly viewed the strategy favourably and of benefit to the community. Conclusions The public health and business relevant gains demonstrated by this novel trial have resulted in ALPA converting their stores to the Healthy Stores 2020 strategy and integrating the strategy in to their nutrition policy. Retail competition impedes complete implementation of the 7-point strategy. Tackling this will require collective agreement by retailers to implement the full strategy and/or government policy power. Key messages Restricting merchandising of unhealthy foods can achieve both public health relevant and business relevant gains. Working in partnership with retailers is critical to testing real-world interventions to impact population diet.

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.

Managing the Impact of Fitting Room Traffic on Retail Sales: Using Labor to Reduce Phantom Stockouts

Problem definition: Brick-and-mortar (B&M) retailers must enhance the customer in-store experience to better compete with online retailers. Fitting rooms in B&M stores play a critical role in the customer experience as a venue to experience products and examine alternatives. High traffic in fitting rooms, however, obstructs the customer’s ability to choose a product. In this paper, we (1) examine the impact of fitting room traffic on store performance using archival data, (2) identify phantom stockouts as a plausible mechanism for this impact, and (3) provide a potential solution and quantify the magnitude of its impact using two field experiments. Academic/practical relevance: The consumer purchase decision process framework has been widely used in disciplines such as marketing and information systems. We consider the impact of high traffic in fitting rooms on customer’s purchase decision process. We show that high traffic in fitting rooms affects store sales negatively as it can obstruct customers’ ability to perform information search, evaluation of alternatives, or both. Methodology: We use archival data analysis, a field study, and a field experiment to demonstrate our findings. Results: We demonstrate an inverted-U relationship between fitting room traffic and sales using archival data analysis. Our field study reveals that high traffic in fitting rooms exacerbates phantom stockouts, which could contribute to the decline in sales. Finally, through field experiments at two retailers, we show that a timely backend recovery operation through a dedicated fitting room associate reduces phantom stockouts and increases sales by 22.4%–22.7%. Managerial implications: First, contrary to conventional wisdom that traffic drives sales, we identify that fitting room traffic beyond a certain point can hurt store sales. Second, we find a large magnitude of phantom stockouts in fitting rooms. Finally, we show that dedicated fitting room labor can significantly boost store sales by alleviating phantom stockouts. Our proposed solution was adopted by both retail organizations that we worked with.

Eating Sustainably: Protein Consumption at Home, at Restaurants, and While Traveling

Proenvironment consumer behavior is generally greater among individuals who perceive their choices as making a difference (e.g., consumers who believe their purchase of sustainably raised meat products creates a stronger market for those products and decreases the demand for nonsustainably raised meat products). However, little is known about how consumers change or maintain their behaviors while at home, eating out, or traveling. This article explores factors driving individuals to purchase sustainably raised animal products, specifically looking at how respondent characteristics, knowledge of social and environmental issues, and perceived consumer effectiveness (PCE) relate to patterns of meat consumption while traveling. Survey participation was solicited from Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) electronic and social media outlets, as well as during food-related events. Significant relationships were found between PCE and the consumption of meat products, as well as knowledge of social and environmental issues. Specifically, significant relationships existed between consistent purchasing behaviors, most PCE items, and the frequency with which preferred attributes are sought while eating out and traveling. When at home and while traveling, consumers who perceive their behaviors as making a difference are more willing to seek out meat products that match their preferred "green" attributes. Retail establishments and organizations tasked with marketing travel destinations should look to find methods of promoting their green activities, particularly regarding sustainable meat production, to environmentally conscious consumers who are consistent in their purchasing decisions at home and while traveling.

Supervisor humor and employee job performance: A moderated mediation model of work enjoyment and suspicion of the supervisor

AbstractSupervisor humor has been shown to be related to various employee outcomes. In this vein, prior research has demonstrated the positive role of supervisor humor in increasing employee job performance. However, little is known about the mediating and moderating mechanisms that explain this relationship. Addressing this gap, the present study develops and tests a moderated mediation model by highlighting work enjoyment as a mediator and suspicion about the supervisor as a moderator. Results from a sample of 190 employees working in a large retail organization showed that work enjoyment mediates the relationship between supervisor humor and subordinates’ job performance and, further, that this indirect effect is dependent upon suspicion of the supervisor.

Trends in the Development of Organic Farming in Poland and Latvia Compared to the EU

Abstract The development of organic farming is determined by many factors. On the one hand, it is an increase in demand for food produced in this production system, on the other it is a subsidy system for organic farming under the CAP. The purpose of the article is a comparative analysis of the direction of changes in the development of organic farming in Poland and Latvia compared to the EU in the years 2000-2017. Information was analysed on the organic farming i.e. the area of organic crops, the number of certified farms and organic retail sales, based on FIBL data from the years 2000–2017. An analysis of the trend of changes in organic farming in Poland and Latvia indicates that the development of organic farming in both countries has clearly accelerated after their accession to the EU and after covering organic farming by the CAP support system. However, the case of Poland is definitely different from the trend of changes in organic farming in Latvia and in the EU, where both the number of organic farms and their area increased, with the simultaneous development of the organic food market. There are many indications that mistakes were made in the organic farming subsidy system.

SDWAN (Software Defined-WAN) Technology Evaluation and Implementation

Many organizations are struggling to provide high bandwidth and reliable internet connectivity at their branch offices and business locations and getting the most out of their operational expense. The need for internet connectivity at any branch offices and business locations is no longer a luxury but is a necessity. Let us try to understand how to replace the traditional MPLS network with the new SDWAN (Software - Defined- Wide Area Network) technology. We will try to understand why it is essential to implement the latest technology instead of investing in the existing MPLS (Multi- Protocol label switching) by taking an example of a retail organization. We also have a look at how to evaluate the product by using some metrics and how different teams are involved during different phases of the project.

Issues and approaches for linking small vegetables growers to markets in Bihar: A policy brief

This paper discusses the importance of markets to the rural people and strategy to achieve the remunerative price of their produced in order to reduce hunger and poverty as well as promoting health and nutrition in Bihar. This paper undertakes a situational analysis of existing marketing pattern, disposal pattern as well as expenses incurred while marketing of major vegetable crops in target district of Bihar based on five year average of data collected from traders , producers and consumers for the period from 2013-2018. Trend in arrivals and prices of major vegetables in the selected markets indicated that there was an increasing trend in arrivals and prices of different vegetables over different periods which might be because of the increase in general price level and increase in population. The major focused was on development of proper enterprise based policy for enhancing the livelihood security and creation of procurement centre in each production zones that would be act as added incentives to the vegetable growers. Therefore reliance type of organized retail market at public- private mode should be initiated as alternate channel for the marketing of vegetables and Gujarat kind of marketing model should be implemented for dairy products in which value addition should be initiated by the farmers.Linking small farmers to markets would only be possible through organized mandi /proper collection centre i.e. one centre for five villages should be established to assure the supply of vegetables in Bihar.

Luottamus johtamisjärjestelmän uudistamisessa – Narratiivinen tapaustutkimus ei-henkilöityvän luottamuksen kehittymisestä vähittäiskaupan ketjuorganisaatiossa

Trust within the renewal of the management system – A narrative case study on impersonal trust development in retail chain organizationThis article examines and illustrates understanding of the role of trust as intangible resource in organizational renewal. The qualitative case study was conducted in the retail organization undergoing a renewal process. In the prior organization research, trust is recognized supporting change implementation. The theoretical framework draws on the trust research of organizations. Trust is still scarcely studied as impersonal resource from the management system perspective. The data was gathered from managers and supervisors. The findings suggest a transparent management system as the basis of organizational trust. The study makes an interesting conclusion on the development of the nature of trust towards impersonal trust.

Barriers and facilitators to extended working life: a focus on a predominately female ageing workforce

AbstractMany countries are reforming their pension systems so people stay in work for longer to improve the long-term sustainability of public finances to support an increasing older population. This research aimed to explore the factors that enable or inhibit people to extend working life (EWL) in a large United Kingdom-based retail organisation. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with a purposive sample (N = 30): 15 employees aged ⩾60 and 15 supervisors supporting these employees. Older workers were predominately female, reflecting the gender profile of the older workers in the organisation. Older workers and supervisors reported that key facilitators to EWL were good health, the perception that older workers are of value, flexibility and choice, the need for an ongoing conversation across the lifecourse, the social and community aspect of work as a facilitator to EWL and the financial necessity to EWL. Perceived barriers to EWL included poor health, negative impacts of work on health, and a lack of respect and support.