Store Type Research Articles

Indoor air quality and its determinants in underground shopping malls in Korea

Underground shopping malls (USMs) are often open or semi-open environments with interconnected passageways, resulting in the sharing of indoor air. However, indoor air quality (IAQ) within these spaces can vary due to many diverse emission sources. We investigated the relationships between IAQ and geographical areas, as well as IAQ and store types, within USMs, in Korea.In 2020, we studied 10 different USMs, with a total of 128 outlets. We conducted comprehensive IAQ assessments (including measurements of fine particles (PM2.5), aldehydes, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)) in stores, passages, and outdoor areas. The stores were categorized into three types: clothing, fashion accessories, and food services. Additionally, we measured environmental factors such as CO2 levels and presence of storefront walls.PM2.5 levels were higher outdoors, whereas aldehyde and VOC levels exhibited elevations within passages and the interior of stores than in the outdoor environment. The store-to-passage ratios for PM2.5, individual aldehydes, and VOC concentrations ranged from 1.06 to 4.93. Formaldehyde and total VOC (TVOC) concentrations were found to be elevated in clothing and fashion accessory stores, whereas PM2.5 concentrations were more prominent in food service establishments. Specific individual compounds, including propionaldehyde, hexaldehyde, benzene, n-heptane, toluene, n-octane, xylene, d-limonene, n-undecane, n-dodecane, and ethylbenzene concentrations exhibited associations with store types. Multivariate regression models demonstrated positive associations between most aldehydes and VOCs with CO2 concentrations and presence of storefront walls.This study underscored variations within USMs based on area and store type. Aldehyde and VOC concentrations were notably higher in clothing and fashion accessory stores than in food service outlets; these elevations were closely linked to CO2 levels and presence of storefront walls. These findings suggest that monitoring CO2 levels within USM stores, optimizing air-conditioning systems, and designing future stores without storefront walls can collectively contribute to an overall improvement of IAQ within USMs.

A longitudinal analysis of the fluctuation of food stores in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

BackgroundChanges in food environments have the potential to affect consumption, nutritional status, and health, and understanding these changes is of utmost importance. This study, therefore, aimed to examine the fluctuation of food stores that sell fruits and vegetables over five years in the health promotion service area of Primary Health Care (PHC) in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.MethodsThis was an ecological study that used data from a food environment audit conducted in the realm of Brazilian PHC. Buffers of 1 mile (equivalent to 1600 m) were created around health promotion services to define food environments. All food stores and open-air food markets that sold fruits and vegetables (FV) within this buffer area were considered eligible. The data collection was performed during two periods: the baseline, in 2013, and after five years, in 2018. This study compares the fluctuation by the type of stores and according to the health vulnerability index (HVI).ResultsAfter 5 years, 35.2% of the stores were stable; 154 stores were closed, and 155 were opened. The stability was greater in low-vulnerability areas, and the fluctuation differed by type of store only for areas with high vulnerability. The number of supermarket decreased in high HVI territories; and local stores, showed greater stability when compared to specialized FV markets.ConclusionsThe differences in store fluctuations according to the vulnerability of areas demonstrate the importance of food supply policies considering the local characteristics to reduce inequities of access to healthy foods.

Impact of Information, Technology Infrastructure, Inventory Management and Demand on the Overall Performance of the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

This study was conducted primarily to investigate the impact of information, technology, inventory management and demand on the performance of the pharmaceutical supply chain (PSC). In order to realize the objectives, a structured closed-ended questionnaire was prepared, and responses were collected from retail outlets considering the respondent’s location, size of the store, type of store and association of the store with manufacturers/companies. In total, 103 complete responses were used for the study. It was found that information, technology infrastructure, inventory management and demand all have shown to have a direct positive influence on the overall performance of the PSC. The variables information systems, system software, inventory operations and promotions were found to have the highest association with information, technology infrastructure, inventory management and demand, respectively. The results highlight insights and critical factors that need to be focused on to improve the performance of supply chain operations. The results of the present study can be important for chain personnel involved in decision-making.

Consumer perception of food value: A comparative study of global supermarkets and local farmers' markets in Slovakia

Abstract The paper explores how Slovak consumers perceive the value of food, sold by different retail formats (especially farmers’ markets and supermarkets), in terms of the quality, price, and healthiness. The aim of this paper is to evaluate consumer perceptions regarding global and local types of retail stores where they buy food most frequently. In the study, the segmentation of consumers by generation, income, and type of residence is provided. From the methodological point of view, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests are used to test hypotheses. According to the sample of respondents (n = 1,004), large-scale stores do not offer healthier and higher-quality food. This perception, however, varies based on the income of the consumer groups. On the other hand, respondents perceive that food sold at farmers’ markets is healthier and of higher quality than food in conventional stores. They do not perceive that food sold at farmers’ markets is cheaper than food in conventional stores.

Availability and Quality of Healthy Foods Vary by Store Participation in SNAP and WIC in Low-Income California Neighborhoods

ABSTRACT Between 2015–2017, California local health departments assessed the retail environment in a convenience sample of small markets and convenience stores in low-income neighborhoods. This study examined differences in availability and quality of healthy foods and the physical retail environment by retailer participation in SNAP and WIC and by store type. Among 731 stores, we found that SNAP + WIC stores offered the greatest availability of healthy foods, high-quality produce, and healthful exterior marketing. Select associations were stronger among convenience stores than for small markets. Policy levers to incentivize SNAP and WIC participation among retailers can improve the neighborhood food environment.

Research on the Marketing Management of Hanfu Stores Derived from Internet Celebrity Economy -- Take Shisanyu as an Example

Due to changes in the times and consumption patterns, online shopping has become more and more popular, which has spawned the Internet Celebrity economy. Compared with general online stores, stores derived from the Internet Celebrity economy have different characteristics, such as targeted marketing and low product inventory. However, Internet Celebrity stores still have many shortcomings. These shortcomings can damage consumer rights. This article takes Shisanyu as an example to discuss the management problems of shops derived from the Internet Celebrity economy and the consequences of the problems. Finally, it analyzes the reasons why this type of store has many problems but is still popular, and gives how this type of store needs to be improved.

Effects of Online and Offline Stores on Apparel Brand Performance

The rise and continued expansion of online stores have prompted traditional fashion retailers to contemplate omnichannel strategies. Traditional physical stores have their own unique value, and online-only brands must consider whether it is worthwhile to establish an offline location. This article will investigate whether establishing a physical and an online store is advantageous for the brand. This research paper uses a systematic review and document screening as its methodology. The findings of this study indicate that opening both offline and online stores is likely advantageous for brands, such as in terms of increasing sales and boosting brand recognition. This assumes that the newly opened offline and online stores are of high quality and customer centric. The investment allocation between the two types of stores needs to be determined based on the market position of each brand. There is no simple answer to the question of whether the brand should invest more money in online or offline stores. For the long-term success of brands, omnichannel marketing is recommended.

The supply of convenience stores: Challenges of short-distance routing within the constraints of working time regulations

Convenience stores are small shops typically located in dense urban areas. They are an important element in modern retailing considering growing urbanization. The layout of convenience stores usually differs significantly for individual stores depending on the local conditions and the types of store (e.g., grocery stores, kiosks, gas stations). Convenience stores have specific delivery requirements that differ significantly due to their variety. In this context, retailers have to cope with small order sizes and frequent deliveries that need to occur within opening hours or predetermined time windows. In addition to these requirements, working hour regulations for the drivers, i.e., the consideration of break times and tour duration restrictions, have to be respected. These regulations have so far been neglected within short-distance routing but significantly impact the planning in practice. The supply of convenience stores is thus a major challenge for retailers.This article addresses the supply of convenience stores as it takes place at a major European retailer. We develop a mathematical model that integrates existing working time regulations and actual requirements in retail practice. The resulting routing problem is solved using an adaptive large neighborhood search. We demonstrate the impact of the requirements imposed on the routing problem and corresponding delivery solutions in numerical studies. Our experiments show that ignoring break times within route planning when strict time windows are given leads to non-feasible solutions and a potential delay in deliveries of more than 18 h for a single planning week.

Evaluating The Data Analytics For Finance And Insurance Sectors For Industry 4.0

The insurance industry relies heavily on statistics, despite the absence of a physical good or service being sold. A financial, risk, consumer, producer, and actuarial database would be created by such an industry. In prior decades, these sectors gathered structured data that they augmented with product and policyholder details. However, semi- and unstructured data represent a massive untapped resource. This will also prevent the insurance from making the most of the information it collects. Despite the striking similarities between healthcare delivery and insurance funding, life insurer problems have hampered the field for the better part of a century. Organizations that need both unstructured and structured data to flourish can find the optimal places to store both types of data according to research. The insurance industry may make better use of data with the help of applied analytics. The insurance industry is also discussed in relation to big data adoption techniques such as training, research, collaboration, and implementation. Several models of the data adoption and transformation methods that contribute to the insurance sector's extraordinary data analysis and forecasting abilities are shown in this article, which delves into the data transformation practises of the insurance business. Healthcare delivery systems need to be overhauled for "Big Data Analytics" to be of any real use. The purpose of this study is to investigate the ways in which modern data management has changed the insurance sector, as well as the traits and applications that have paved the way for the emergence of cutting-edge tools and the expansion of the economy.

Associations between retail food environment and organic food purchases in French households

Abstract Background The aim of our study was to assess the associations between organic food purchases of French households and their exposure to food outlets that sell organic foods, including organic food stores (selling only organic products) and standard food outlets, independently from households’ characteristics. Methods This cross-sectional study included 462 households from a quota sampling survey conducted in France. Share of expenditures for organic foods over a one-month period was assessed using food supply diaries and grocery receipts. The objective retail food environment (RFE) was assessed around the home and in activity space (AS) (i.e. areas around places of main activity and commuting journeys) using geographic information systems. Associations between RFE indicators and organic food purchases were assessed using multinomial logistic regression models, adjusted for households’ characteristics. Results Households exposed to organic food outlets around their home (OR presence vs. absence [95% CI]=2.27 [1.33; 3.89]) had higher expenses in organic foods. Households exposed to organic food outlets in their AS were also more likely to have medium (OR ≥ 3 organic food outlets vs. absence [95% CI]=2.52 [1.34;4.76]) or high organic food purchases (OR [95% CI]=1.90 [1.04;3.47]). The models that included different types of organic food stores confirmed the first ones: households who were exposed to organic specialized food stores (greengrocers, bakeries and butcher's stores) around home and in their AS were more likely to have medium or high organic food purchases. In addition, the distance to the nearest organic grocery food store was inversely associated with high expenses in organic foods (OR [95% CI]=0.57 [0.41; 0.80]). Conclusions These results suggest exposure to organic food outlets and their use are related, providing knowledge for cities’ commercial planning with the aim of promoting spatial access to organic food for their inhabitants. Key messages • Exposure to organic food outlets and their use are related. • Food environment may influence consumers’ grocery shopping behaviors.

What do outlet’s and provider’s characteristics mean for family planning consumers? A comparative study of Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda

BackgroundThis research investigated the determinants of the number of family planning consumers in Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda, with a focus on outlet’s and provider’s characteristics which are important factors influencing the choice of using contraceptive methods but largely unexplored in previous literature.MethodsWe utilized a unique panel survey on outlet’s in Kenya (n = 1,321), Nigeria (n = 1,255) and Uganda (n = 842), which is part of the Consumer Market for Family Planning conducted in between 2019 and 2020, for the analysis of the pooled data (n = 3,418) and individual country. Random effects Poisson regressions were performed.ResultsThe pooled data results showed that the expected number of consumers were significantly lower in Nigeria and Uganda than in Kenya, and that working experience (provider’s characteristics), types of stores, duration of providing family planning services, participations in community outreach and host community events, and sign of family planning services (outlet’s characteristics) were significant determinants of the number of customers. The results for each country revealed interesting similarities and differences in the determinants across the three countries.ConclusionsThis study sheds light on the relationship between the number of family planning customers and outlet’s and provider’s characteristics, thus providing informative evidence-based to on-going debates on the coverage of family planning services, which is still insufficient in developing countries. As a result, the government’s family planning expenditures should instead prioritize small, private enterprises such as pharmacies or drug stores. Furthermore, it is critical to focus on several critical tasks to improve the qualities of outlets and providers to attract customers, such as ensuring that they are eye-catching, advertising FP services, have professional credentials, fulfil providers’ obligations to counsel contraceptive users, provide long-term services and community care, and have female providers.

Informality, Consumption Taxes, and Redistribution

Abstract Can taxes on consumption redistribute in developing countries? Contrary to consensus, we show that taxing consumption is progressive once we account for informal consumption. Using household expenditure surveys in 32 countries, we proxy for informal consumption using the type of store where purchases occur. We establish that the budget share spent in informal stores steeply declines with income, so that richer households pay a substantially larger share of their income in taxes. Our findings imply that the widespread policy of exempting food from taxation is hard to justify on equity grounds in low-income countries.

Habitual behavior of household food expenditure by store type in the United States.

We examine how socio-demographic factors, spending habits, and characteristics of the retail food environment affect household expenditure across all food and beverage categories by store outlet in the United States. The six outlets considered are grocery stores, convenience stores, discount stores, club stores, drug stores, and dollar stores. The source of data for this analysis is the Nielsen Homescan Panel over the period between 2011 and 2015. We employ a dynamic correlated random effect Tobit model to incorporate habitual purchasing behavior as well as a novel method to deal with zero observations using the inverse hyperbolic sine transformation. The results suggest that habitual spending behavior undoubtedly is a key factor in affecting food and beverage expenditures across all store outlets. Additionally, household size, age, urbanization, education, race, ethnicity, and region are drivers of household food and beverage expenditures across the six store outlets.

Differences in Bacterial Communities of Retail Raw Pork in Different Market Types in Hangzhou, China.

Pork is widely consumed globally, and pigs' microbiota can potentially harbor foodborne pathogens. Contaminated pork in retail markets poses significant implications for food quality and safety. However, limited studies have compared pork microbiomes in various marketing environments. In this study, we utilized traditional microbial culture methods and high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing to assess pathogen contamination and bacterial diversity in raw pork samples purchased from farmers' markets and two types of supermarkets (upscale and ordinary) in Hangzhou, China. Traditional microbial plate cultures identified E. coli and Salmonella spp. in 32.1% (27/84) and 15.5% (13/84) of the collected pork samples, respectively. Moreover, 12 out of 13 Salmonella strains were found in farmers' markets. The MIC results indicated a high prevalence of MDR strains, accounting for 51.9% in E. coli and 53.8% in Salmonella. The prevalence of NaClO tolerant strains was 33.3% and 92.3% for E. coli and Salmonella, respectively. Sequencing results indicated significantly higher microbial diversity in farmers' market samples compared to supermarket samples. Farmers' market pork samples exhibited a greater abundance of Acinetobacter, while Pseudomonas and Brochothrix were predominant in supermarket samples. The total abundance of pathogenic and spoilage bacteria was also higher for the farmers' market samples. Cross-contamination during market trading was evident through a high correlation between bacterial abundance in pork from different stalls within the same farmers' market. PICRUSt2 analysis identified significant differences in the average proportions of genes for carbohydrate, energy, and lipid metabolism from the farmers' markets, suggesting an exacerbation of microbial metabolic activity and increased perishability of pork in this environment. In conclusion, this study revealed variations in the characteristics of raw pork bacterial contamination across different types of retail stores, as well as differences in the composition and diversity of their respective bacterial communities.

Suckling or non-suckling? Sensory characterization of commercialized lamb meat according to feeding.

Consumption of meat from suckling lambs is typical in some regions. However, sensory differences between meat from suckling and non-suckling lambs are barely described in previous studies. The objectives of the present study were (a) to develop a method to describe the sensory characteristics of lamb meat, including the development of sensory references for odor, flavor, and texture attributes; and (b) to study the sensory differences between lamb meat commercialized as "suckling lamb" and that commercialized without this designation. Twenty-three sensory attributes were selected, and their corresponding sensory references were developed. A detailed procedure to evaluate the samples was also set up. This methodology was used to characterize samples (n = 48) from a survey of lamb meat from different types of stores (n = 23). Half of the samples were commercialized as sucking lamb and the other half (older lambs) without this indication. Samples were bought in two seasons (May and December) to consider possible seasonal effects. Samples were evaluated in triplicate by 12 trained assessors. Data were analyzed by ANOVA (p ≤ .05). Apart from how long juiciness was maintained ("maintained juiciness"), all the selected attributes were appropriate to discriminate between samples. Lamb meat sold as "suckling" did not differ from the other lamb samples in odor and flavor, but there were clear differences in texture attributes: meat sold as suckling lamb was tenderer and juicier, with higher crumbliness, and with lower fibrousness, chewiness, and residue than non-suckling lamb meat. Several sensory characteristics, mainly related to odor and flavor, varied according to the season.

Kratom availability in California vape shops

Kratom products are derived from trees native to Southeast Asia and have dose-dependent stimulant and opioid-like effects. Despite being on the Drug Enforcement Administration “Drugs and Chemicals of Concern List,” kratom is legal for sale in most US states. However, there are scarce data on its availability. The goal of this study was to examine kratom availability in vape shops across the state of California and assess shop compliance with a local kratom sales ban (enacted in 2016) in San Diego City. As part of a larger study about retail tobacco marketing near colleges, availability of kratom was assessed in summer 2019 in a random sample of 614 vape shops that was stratified to compare stores near (≤ 3 miles) and distant (>3 miles) from colleges. Logistic regression examined kratom availability as a function of store type (stores that sold vape products only vs. stores selling other tobacco), nearness to college, and tract-level demographics. Kratom was available in 62.4% of observed stores and more often in vape-and-smoke (81.1%) than vape-only shops (11.5%, AOR = 40.4, 95% CI = 23.3–74.1). Kratom availability did not differ by nearness to colleges. In San Diego City, 46.2% of observed stores (95% CI = 28.8–64.5) sold kratom products. Findings indicate that kratom was available in the majority of vape shops and most commonly in vape-and-smoke shops. Widespread availability in tobacco specialty shops suggests the need for research on dual use with tobacco, kratom advertising and cross-product promotion, and the potential of state and local tobacco retail licensing to prohibit sales.

Advertising Exposure From Online and Offline Sources and Youth Tobacco Use: Findings From the Adolescents, Place, and Behavior Study.

Tobacco use among adolescents is an ongoing public health concern. Youth tobacco use has been associated with advertising, from both online sources and retail environments. This study examined associations between exposure to tobacco advertisements from tobacco retail outlets (TROs), internet, and social media sources and ever tobacco use among adolescents. Data were obtained from youth, aged 11-17 years (N = 401) from Richmond, VA. Bayesian index and group index models were fitted to estimate indices of exposure to (1) social media use, (2) tobacco ads on social media, and (3) TRO store visits and their association with ever tobacco use. The most important components of the exposure indices were also determined based on the index component weights from the Bayesian index models. In Bayesian index models of single exposures, each exposure index was significantly associated with tobacco use. In the best-fitting model, social media tobacco ads (odds ratio [OR] = 2.2; 95% credible interval [CI]: 1.2, 4.5) and TRO store visits (OR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1, 2.3) were significantly associated with ever tobacco use, as was older age (OR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.2, 1.8). Index component weights revealed Snapchat ad frequency as the most important platform in the social media index and convenience stores as the most important type of store in the TRO index. Exposure to pro-tobacco advertisements on social media and visits to TROs are associated with adolescent ever tobacco use. Results provide support for policies that would restrict the promotion of tobacco products at TROs and on social media. Tobacco regulations and interventions targeting convenience stores and Snapchat may be warranted to reduce youth tobacco use. Current evidence provide support for policies that would restrict the promotion of tobacco products at TROs and on social media. Findings suggest that regulations and interventions that specifically target advertisements in convenience stores and on Snapchat may be currently warranted to reduce youth tobacco use.

The Spatiotemporal Links between Urban and Rural Regions through the Sale and Consumption of Agri-Food Products

The asymmetries between rural and urban areas have continued to increase over the last decades, contributing to an imbalance of economic, social, and territorial dimensions between regions. Urban stores specialized in the commercialization of rural provenance agri-food products can have a role in the promotion of interrelations between the countryside and the cities and contribute to publicizing and promoting rural regions among the urban populations and tourists. Thus, this work aims to understand and characterize the growth of these stores in two of the main urban and tourist centers of Oporto and Lisbon. For this purpose, we developed an analytical framework with the support of a spatial analysis using geographic information systems (GIS) to understand their organization as well as the spatiotemporal evolution and distribution. We also investigated the geographical patterns of the supply chains of marketed agri-food products and the spatial relationships between agri-food products from their production to their commercialization and consumption. The results revealed that most of the agri-food products originate in the inland rural regions of the country with a clear geographical connection between the analyzed stores and specific territories. Moreover, we verify an increased interest and consumption of agri-food products and a spontaneous increase in this type of store. Overall, these stores, in addition to selling agri-food products, are also promoters of rural territories in an urban environment.

Exploring the Presence and Type of Premium Cigar Retailers With Neighborhood Sociodemographic Correlates in the United States, 2019-2021.

Little is known about the location and store type of premium cigar retailers in the United States. Different store types may expose people to secondhand smoke (eg, cigar bar or lounge) and may also have age restrictions (eg, tobacco shops) that could reduce youth exposure to products and marketing. We obtained a national retailer dataset from the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) from 2019 to 2021. We coded store type using nine categories and used generalized estimating equations to examine associations between census tract sociodemographic characteristics and PCA store type. Of the 1279 PCA retailers, the majority were cigar stores (39%), followed by tobacco shops (26%), cigar bars or lounges (20%), and beer, wine, or liquor stores (15%). Overall, there were no statistically significant associations between tract-level sociodemographic characteristics and the odds that a retailer was a specific store type versus another store type. However, PCA retailers located in tracts with a higher percentage of non-Hispanic Black residents were associated with 1.12 times the odds of being a cigar bar or lounge versus another type (95% CI, 1.02 to 1.22). The majority of PCA retailers are specialty cigar stores or cigar bars or lounges, and few are more traditional tobacco retailers, such as convenience stores. We document a higher odds of a store being a cigar bar or lounge for retailers located in neighborhoods with a higher proportion of Black residents, which may contribute to inequities in tobacco-related disease and disability because of potentially greater secondhand smoke exposure. Specialized retailers account for most premium cigar stores. One in five PCA retailers was a cigar bar or lounge, which raises public health concerns around exposure to secondhand smoke for patrons and employees. Local jurisdictions should examine zoning ordinances in tandem with sociodemographic characteristics to ensure inequities in the location of cigar bars or lounges are not produced or sustained given the potential harms associated with secondhand smoke exposure.

Перспективы развития интернет-торговли и интернет-магазинов в России

The article discusses the trends in the development of Internet retail trade in consumer goods in Russia, the trends in the formation of various types of online stores, including online marketplaces. The aim of the study is to reflect the trends and specifics of the development of Internet commerce in the retail sector in Russia, to de-termine the prospects of this process. Trends in the evolution of this type of commercial activity are directly re-lated to the increasing number of Internet users in the world as a whole and in Russia in particular, expanding the boundaries of its coverage of all sectors of the country's economy. Activation and development of large online stores, online marketplaces, their creation of their own logistics systems makes them more competitive in comparison with traditional offline trade. Currently, well-known large offline stores are developing their own platforms for online trading, and large marketplaces are developing and improving their own services, provid-ing an opportunity to earn money, including for small businesses. Therefore, the share of Internet commerce will increase, the role of online stores will increase more and more.