• Korea Trade Review
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.17-37
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• 2021

This study aims to examine the effects of experimental attitudes and perceived personal information protection on satisfaction and loyalty for Chinese consumers who use unmanned convenience stores. The important results of this study are as follows. First, consumers' perception of the experimental servicescape of unmanned convenience stores in China has an effect on the consumer's experimental attitude. Consumers' perception of experimental diversity in unmanned convenience stores in China has an effect on the consumer's experimental attitude. Second, consumers' perception of the information quality of unmanned convenience stores in China has an impact on the consumer's personal information protection. Consumers' perception of the service quality of unmanned convenience stores in China has an impact on consumer's personal information protection. Third, consumers' perception of personal information protection in unmanned convenience stores in China has an effect on the consumer's experimental attitude. Fourth, consumers' perception of personal information protection in unmanned convenience stores in China has an effect on consumer satisfaction with experiments. Consumers' perception of the experiment attitude of unmanned convenience stores in China has an effect on the consumer's satisfaction with the experiment.

• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.411-424
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to analyze the location characteristics of convenience stores, a consumption industry that forms a new retail environment and implements unattended, and reveals the geographic factors that affect its location. For this purpose, we first examine the growth and regional distribution of manned convenience stores and then construct a gamma generalized linear regression model that explains the distribution of the unmanned convenience stores as well as the manned and unmanned combined convenience stores. As the result, it was observed that the unmanned convenience stores and the unmanned discount stores are located close to public transportation facilities and they have relatively little movement of the population but they are distributed in areas with a higher density of young residential population and densely distributed retail stores and restaurants. The effects of demographic factors on the location of the unmanned convenience stores and the unmanned discount stores differed according to the scope and characteristics of their sales items. Our findings provide an empirical basis for subsequent academic research as an initial study that identified geographic factors influencing the selection of opening locations for unmanned stores.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.40-55
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• 2023

Currently, convenience stores, which are naturally located within a 1-minute walk, are easily accessible, so customers can easily purchase the items they need, and now they are indispensable places for people. In line with modern society that focuses on buying and selling goods quickly and easily, such as 'convenience' and 'quickness', convenience stores also have been changing by marketing such as home-delivery service and storage of fresh products, not just simply selling goods. In addition, by utilizing application software, we can use everything with one smartphone that we use a lot, in order to provide reservation delivery, pickup, and subscription services. In this study, we conducted experiments focusing on the factors of convenience store service quality and users using convenience stores, and examined how these experiments affect behavioral intentions of customers through their emotional responses. As a result, it was confirmed that empathy had a positive (+) effect on the pleasure of customers, and reliability had a negative (-) effect on arousal. In addition, it was found that empathy had a positive (+) effect on arousal, and responsiveness and empathy had a positive (+) effect on dominance. Finally, it was found that pleasure and dominance had a positive (+) effect on the loyalty of customers. In this study, we intend to provide basic data on existing or future convenience stores.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.85-94
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• 2015

Purpose - This study attempts to examine the impacts of consumers' perceived service convenience of retailers on various service performance metrics such as service quality and customer satisfaction. It also tries to investigate differences in the importance of service convenience dimensions on service performance between a department store and a general super market. Research design, data, and methodology - The four hypotheses in this study were proposed and tested. Two hypotheses were on the causal relationships between service convenience dimensions and service performances (service quality and customer satisfaction). The other two hypotheses were on comparisons for the effects of convenience dimensions on service quality and customer satisfaction between department stores and general super markets. To test the hypotheses, three department store chains (Hyundai, Lotte, and Shinsegae department Store) and three general super markets (E-mart, Homeplus, and Lotte mart) were involved. Overall, 510 usable responses were used. The data were analyzed using regression analysis. Results - The results largely support the hypothesized relationships of the proposed model. The results show that access convenience, transaction convenience, benefit convenience, and post-benefit convenience have positive influences on service quality, whereas decision convenience, access convenience, transaction convenience, benefit convenience, and post-benefit convenience have positive effects on customer satisfaction. Furthermore, the results show that there are differences between department stores and general super markets in the effects of benefit convenience and post-benefit convenience on service quality as well as the effects of transaction convenience and post-benefit convenience on customer satisfaction. Conclusions - The concept of service convenience is important in retail environments but little is known about this topic in retail literature. Specially, while service convenience dimensions have different impacts on service performance in distinct retail environments, there has been little investigation or comparison between retail types as regards service convenience. This study is the first to test the differences between distinct retail types (department stores and general super markets) on the service convenience-service performance links. Managerially, the findings of this study suggest that the service convenience management of retailers is an important part of successful service performance management. Because it is most important that both department stores and general super markets enhance benefit convenience to improve service performance, managers of both store types need to invest their resources to reduce consumers' perceived time and effort expenditures to experience the retailer's core benefits. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that retail stores should spend human and financial resources to enhance customer perceptions of service convenience, while also considering what constitutes the service outcome in the consumer's mind. Furthermore, the findings suggest that managers need to use different service convenience management tactics in department stores and general super markets. Specifically, managers in general super markets should pay more attention to benefit convenience and transaction convenience to achieve better service performance whereas managers in department stores should concentrate on post-benefit convenience to create customers' positive evaluation.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.101-120
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• 2024

Purpose - The purpose of this study was to examine the influencing factors on the revisit intention of unmanned convenience stores for Chinese consumers who use unmanned convenience stores. The effect of unmanned convenience store characteristics (operation system, store arrangement) on customers' perceived benefits and the effect of perceived benefits (convenience, speed, stability, playability) on revisit intention were verified. In addition, by using untact propensity as a control variable, the purpose of this study was to examine that the characteristics of unmanned convenience stores have a moderating effect on the perceived benefits of customers. Design/methodology/approach - The study collected 201 survey data from unmanned convenience stores in China. In order to analyze the data, Smart PLS was used to carry out empirical analysis. Findings - The results showed that operating systems had a positive impact on convenience, speed, and safety, while store layout had a positive impact on playfulness. Perceived benefits (convenience, safety, and playfulness) had a positive impact on their intention to revisit. Rapidity had a negative impact on the intention to revisit. Contactless tendencies regulate the effect of operating systems on convenience. Research implications or Originality - Unmanned convenience stores are striving to provide high-quality experiences to customers and increase customer satisfaction by utilizing cutting-edge IT technologies in stores such as AI, mobile device payment services, QR codes, and big data technologies. Recently, research on unmanned convenience stores has been active in the service and distribution industry-related fields, but research on the intention to revisit is insufficient. Also, few studies have used untact propensity as a control variable.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.140-151
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• 2016

Objectives: This study was performed to examine the consumption patterns of convenience food at convenience stores, dietary habits, and perception as well as knowledge of food additives among university students. Methods: Subjects were 352 university students in Cheongju, Korea, and data was collected by a self-administered questionnaire. They were divided into three groups according to the frequency of consumption of convenience food at convenience stores: 79 rare (${\leq}1$ time/month), 89 moderate (2-4 times/month) and 184 frequent (${\geq}2$ times/week). Results: More subjects from the frequent consumption group lived apart from parents (p<0.001) and possessed more pocket money (p<0.01). Frequent consumption group consumed noodles, Kimbab, and sandwich & burger significantly more often (p<0.001, respectively) than others. In addition, frequent consumption of convenience foods at convenience stores was associated with frequent breakfast skipping (p<0.05), irregular meal time (p<0.01), snacking (p<0.05), and eating late night meal (p<0.001). More from the rare consumption group had heard about food additives previously compared to the frequent consumption group (79.7% vs. 63.6%, p<0.01). Frequent consumption group showed significantly higher score than did the rare consumption group for the following questions: monosodium glutamate is harmful to your health (p<0.05), food additives are necessary for food manufacturing (p<0.005), food additives need to be labeled on products (p<0.05), there is no food additive at all if labeled as no preservatives, no coloring, and no added sugar (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in degrees of choosing products with less food additives depending on the consumption pattern. Conclusions: Our results provided a better understanding of the factors associated with frequent consumption of convenience foods at convenience stores among university students and will be useful to develop a nutrition education program for those who are more prone to consume convenience foods.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.137-151
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• 2019

Objectives: The rapidly changing dietary environment requires a study that addresses the status of middle and high school students regarding their consumption of convenience food sold at convenience stores. Methods: This study examined adolescents' lifestyle patterns, dietary habits, and status of consuming convenience food at convenience stores. A total of 659 students (329 middle school students and 330 high school students) in Incheon participated in this questionnaire survey. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 13.7 years for the middle school students, and 16.6 years for the high school students. The gender and grade distributions in the middle and high school students were similar. The middle school students reported that they spent more time using electronic devices (p<0.001) or watching TV (p<0.001) than high school students. More than 60% of middle and high school students consumed convenience food at convenience stores without statistical difference between the two groups. The main reason for consuming convenience food from convenience stores was its convenience followed by taste in both groups. Despite the high frequency of consuming convenience food, the students rarely checked the nutrition labels at the time of purchase. On the other hand, they were still most concerned about the nutritional value of the convenience foods when they consumed convenience foods. The most frequently consumed convenience food was ramyon in both groups. Significant positive correlations were observed between the frequency of consuming convenience food at convenience stores and lifestyle factors for the middle school students, including monthly allowance, time for using electronic devices, and number of private lessons. For the high school students, however, the only monthly allowance had a significant positive correlation with the consumption. Conclusions: Adolescents are increasingly exposed to convenience foods and relevant nutritional issues are a concern. Therefore, a dietary environment that is adequately formed for the healthy development of youth as well as systematic nutrient education that is appropriately designed for both middle and high school students is required.

• The Korean Journal of Franchise Management
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.53-67
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aims to explore the shopping motivations of consumers at South Korean convenience stores and create distinct consumer segments based on these motivations. Additionally, the research seeks to propose tailored marketing strategies for convenience stores by analyzing consumer demographics and satisfaction levels within each segment. Research design, data and methodology: Using factor analysis, we identify three primary shopping motivation factors: "social/leisure," "functional," and "convenience." Subsequently, we use cluster analysis to group convenience store consumers into three categories: the "convenience-seeking group," the "function/convenience-seeking group," and the "multipurpose-seeking group." To gain a deeper understanding of each consumer segment, we investigate how demographic factors relate to their levels of satisfaction. Results: These findings offer valuable insights for adapting to shifting consumer preferences and the increasingly competitive landscape of South Korean convenience stores, especially in the expanding services offered by online businesses. Conclusions: This research emphasizes the significance of developing marketing strategies tailored to address the distinctive needs and preferences of individual consumer segments. These strategies empower convenience stores to establish a competitive advantage in the market.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.567-585
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aims to explore the potential of convenience stores as platforms for healthy food consumption, including low-sodium options, in response to the increasing trend of meal behaviors at convenience stores and the growing demand for healthy eating. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In the study, 627 Korean participants aged 10 to 39 were involved. A self-reported questionnaire survey was used and questions were regarding purchase patterns, consumption behaviors, perceptions and selection attributes of convenience store foods, and consumer perception factors for low-sodium options. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 26.0 (SPSS, Version 26.0 for Windows, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: The study uncovered significant disparities in the consumption behavior and perception of convenience store foods, as well as variations in the importance and satisfaction levels with convenience store food attributes, including consumer perception factors for low-sodium options, based on sex and age. Furthermore, it was observed that awareness of the need for low-sodium options significantly influenced purchase intentions. CONCLUSION: This study analyzed consumer attitude toward low-sodium convenience store foods to assess the potentiality for promoting healthy eating in convenience stores. These findings indicate the important role that convenience stores can play as platforms for healthy food sales.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.9 no.12
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• pp.45-53
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• 2018

Purpose - The purpose of the study was to investigate operation system of current convenience store and competing retail store and to find out development of unattended convenience store. Operators can save labor cost and solve labor seeking when opening shop under suitable environment and commerce area, and assure of employee's safety. Customers are allowed to select commodity comfortably without disclosure of face and to shorten standby time at simple store opening, buying and paying and to produce convenient living environment by financing, delivery and goods control. This study examined effect and problems of operation of existing and unattended convenience store from point of view of visual merchandising to find out model of unattended convenience store and to strengthen competitiveness of convenience store business. Research design, data, and methodology - Research procedure of accomplishment of goal of the study was: The study investigated state of distribution business, and role and definition of VMD. First, VMD played an important role of promotion and competitiveness of unattended convenience stores. Second, the author investigated research and cases of unattended convenience stores 14 months, that is to say, from August 15, 2017 to October 15, 2018. Third, the author investigated on-the-spot three of common convenience stores, three of unattended convenience stores and three of retailers one month, that is to say, June 1, 2018 to July 1, 2018. The subject was convenience stores and retailers selling similar type of products at Seoul and metropolitan area. Results - Layout, selling place, brand identity, goods assortment, authentication system, product information cognition and control, buying and payment system, security system, salesmen, promotion and other services should be improved from point of view of merchandising. Structure, furniture, lighting, voice, façade, VP, PP, IP and POP should be developed. Conclusions - Unattended convenience stores saved operating cost and lessened labor and gave visitors convenience and comfortable shopping and made use of resources effectively. Further studies with quantitative analysis shall find out strategic conditions for promotion of unattended convenience stores.