• 통상정보연구
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.273-284
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• 2007

New retailers, especially giant retailers, so called "mart" or "discounter" which introduced around 1996, when Korea's domestic retail market was opened to the world, have brought big transitions. Consequently, new comers like discounters and CVS drove out department stores, mom & pops and traditional retailers. Literatures showed two reverse opinions for the giant retailers; rising consumers' benefit, or dropping small retailers' businesses. This study have conducted to find the situation of market concentration in retail market, and to learn the new market condition in it. According to the study, in 2005, CR3's of Korea's whole retail industry was counted 12.8%, and CR5 of that was 13.9%. CR3 of discount store business was 39%, department stores' 55%, and TV home shopping businesses' was 75%. In addition to those results, indices growing worse. So, we can say this industry already get into the oligopolistic industrial organization. Generally, under monopolistic or oligopolistic market structure, consumers' benefit may shrink and businesses' surplus profit may jump. So, it means, it's good time to turn government's policy for the retail industry in Korea to fair competition policy instead of development policy.

• 유통과학연구
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.75-82
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• 2018

Purpose - As the role of salespersons in retail stores has expanded from selling products to sharing brand experiences with customers, the importance of research on the effects of salesperson-brand relationships has grown. The purpose of this research is to investigate the influences of salespersons' brand identification on conceptual fluency and customers' service and brand evaluations. It was supposed that salespersons' brand identification is affected by brand knowledge, which is a core dimension of internal branding. Research design, data, and methodology - The author developed a structural model in which salespersons' brand knowledge influences brand identification, hence customers' perception of salesperson-brand image congruence. And it is hypothesized that salesperson-brand image congruence influences conceptual fluency which affects customers' satisfaction and brand evaluation. Data were collected from five department stores in Seoul. Results - First, salespersons' brand knowledge was found to have a significant effect on brand identification. The more a salesperson knows about the affiliated brand, the higher her level of brand identification. Second, salespersons' brand identification influenced salesperson-brand image congruence. Third, salesperson-brand image congruence had a significant effect on brand conceptual fluency. Customers who perceive salesperson-brand image congruent are more likely to process information easily. Finally, conceptual fluency was found to be a significant determinant of store loyalty and brand value evaluation. Conclusions - The results of this study verify importance of salesperson's brand identification on customers' service and brand evaluations. To enhance salespersons' brand identification, retailers should emphasize the importance of internal branding and communication, especially by sharing brand vision, values, and identity with employees at customer contact points. Also, as brand conceptual fluency is a significant determinant of customer responses, retailers need to deliver consistent messages through various components of store environments, including salespersons' attitudes, appearances, and manners, as well as physical store design. With a deeper understanding of the effects of salesperson-brand relationship and brand conceptual fluency, retailers will be able to create more effective brand strategies to enhance their performances. Future studies should consider data from various retail types, such as discount stores, to generalize the findings.

• 한국의류학회지
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• 제36권2호
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• pp.138-151
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• 2012

This study determines a consumer retail store choice by applying the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method for multi-criteria decision-making in the fashion retail industry. The study provides detailed and relevant information for management, marketers of fashion retail stores, and to improve competition between suppliers. Data was collected in February 2011 from questionnaires completed by 319 university students in Busan, South Korea. One of the major findings of this study was that consumer store preference was affected by the following factors in order of importance: product, image, service quality, and purchase facilitation. Brand image was assessed to be the most important of the evaluation elements, followed by individuality, style, and price. The results of rating the relative importance and priority of fashion retailers showed that department stores ranked most highly, followed by outlet malls, Internet shopping malls, brand malls, and discount stores.

• 한국유통학회지:유통연구
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.79-102
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• 2007

점포의 평가는 소비자의 마음속에 자리 잡고 있는 유사한 경쟁점포들 내에서 이루어지게 되며, 이렇게 "소비자가 특정 점포선택을 할 때 실제 고려하게 되는 점포들의 집합"을 고려점포군(考廬店鋪群; consideration set of stores)이라 한다. 본 연구에서는 소비자가 의류제품을 구매할 때 점포선택과정 중에 형성하는 고려점포군을 알아보고, 고려점포군과 점포이미지 중요도와의 관련성을 알아보고자 하였다. 연구결과에서 의류점포선택과정을 통해 형성된 고려점포군은 결과적으로 고려점포수와 고려하는 점포유형에 따라 다시 구체화될 수 있으며, 이를 기준으로 소비자 유형화를 실시한 결과 '소수-가두점 고려집단', '소수-시장 고려집단', '소수-백화점 고려집단', '소수-백화점/아울렛 고려집단', '다수-백화점/시장 고려집단', '다수-백화점/가두점 고려집단', '다수-백화점 고려집단'으로 구분되었으며, 유형화된 소비자 집단별 점포이미지 중요도에 있어서 유의한 차이가 있음이 밝혀졌다. 예를 들면, 시장을 고려점포유형으로 포함하는 소수-시장 고려집단과 다수-백화점/시장 고려집단은 저렴한 가격을 중요한 점포이미지로 여겼으며, 소수-백화점 고려집단은 점포 마일리지 카드나 할인카드, 다수-백화점/가두점 고려집단은 주변 여가공간 요인을 중요한 점포이미지로 꼽아 집단별 차이를 나타냈다. 이러한 결과들은 점포 운영자들이 자사 목표고객과 경쟁점포를 파악하고 이에 대응한 마케팅 전략을 수립하는데 효과적으로 사용될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• 한국유통학회지:유통연구
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.9-34
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• 1997

The marketing environment around the Korean retail stores is becoming increasingly voltage due to the recent changes in the marketplace. These changes are not only offering business opportunities but also posing competitive threats for many retailers these days. The key to survival and growth of these retail stores lies in developing and delivering quality services. This article reports the findings of a field survey which measured customers current perceptions of six different types of stores in terms of various service dimensions. The store types examined in the study were: traditional markets, department stores, shopping centers$.$supermarkets, convenience stores, discount stores, and membership wholesale clubs. The study also makes an attempt to determine service dimensions which have significant impact on customer perceptions across different store types. By analyzing the gap between how stores are perceived and how they should be perceived, the article discusses and suggests strategic directions for each type of retail stores.

• 한국유통학회지:유통연구
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.127-154
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• 2008

본 논문은 고급화된 대형마트 즉 '한국형 할인점'이라는 독특한 업태 컨셉에 보다 적합한 서비스 품질 측정 적도를 연구하는데 그 목적이 있다. 이를 위해 반복적 FGI와 대형 할인점 방문 소비자 604명을 대상으로 정량적 리서치를 실시하였다. 연구 결과 '한국형 할인점'의 서비스 품질은 본원적 혜택, 프로모션, 인적상호작용, 물리적 측면, 정책, 부가적 편의성의 총 6개 차원, 24개 항목으로 이루어진 측정모형이 도출되었다. 기존의 소매 서비스 품질의 대표적 측정 모형인 RSQS 측정모형과 비교해 보면 3가지 자원(인적상호작용, 물리적 측면, 정책)은 공통적이며, 나머지 차원에서 문제해결은 인적상호작용으로 통합되었으며, 신뢰성은 단일차원성이 결여되어 제거되었다. 특히 본원적 혜택은 할인점의 업태특성을 대표하는 성과품질로서 도출되었으며, 정책 자원은 '재방문 의도'에 가장 큰 영향을 미치는 중요한 서비스 품질 자원으로 확인되었다. 본 연구에서 수정, 보완된 측정도구는 한국형 할인점을 이용하는 고객의 최신 트랜드를 반영하여 업버전 하였다는 것이 그 특징이다. 그 결과 향후 소매 시장 포화상황에서 치열한 서비스 경쟁을 벌여야하는 한국의 대형마트와 기타 소매업체에 전략적 시사점을 주고 있다.

• 유통과학연구
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• 제17권9호
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• pp.25-33
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• 2019

Purpose - The purpose of the study was to seek to find out what factors having differences between paid membership customers (Costco membership) and general customers in retail industry. Since Costco operates differently from other conventional retailers, which is expected to have a substantial impact on consumers' preference of retail stores. Research design, data, and methodology - The survey conducted covered 1,000 adults in their 30s~50s living in Goyang and Gwangmyeong where Costco runs stores to determine the effects of Costco's local market-entry from consumer perspectives. 500 respondents were surveyed in each region and those working in the retail sector were excluded to ensure the objectivity of the answers. Results - Costco members in Goyang considered the price, bulk purchasing, and membership benefits as important criteria when choosing their retail store. On the other hand, as for Gwangmyeong, the non-member group's prominent characteristic was that they considered accessibility including travel distance and location and in-store amenities including food court services as important criteria for decision-making. Conclusion - Unique business model of Costco shows a statistically significant difference in terms of consumer awareness. the feature of Costco served as an critical criteria for consumers in their purchasing decision. Moreover, Bulk packaging purchases at Costco results in a strong supplementary relationship with neighborhood supermarkets.

• 유통과학연구
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.77-87
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• 2015

Purpose - This study aims to investigate the current state of distribution terminology usage by retailers and consumers nationwide, and to suggest a practical improvement plan for its standardization. The Korean distribution industry is closely related to consumers' daily lives. However, in reality, there exists a gap among producers, distributors, and consumers in terms of the definition, understanding, and perception of the terminology. Therefore, standardizing this terminology is essential for more smooth communication. This paper suggests the necessity of committing overall research and survey activities to the actual conditions of using Korean distribution terminology by organizations and their respective management situations, and further, the necessity of probing the problem and its measures in line with the objective and mission of the "Fundamental Law of the Korean Language." Research design, data, and methodology - This study's scope is limited to wholesale and retail including some information systems. First, the study covers most written material including lexicons and glossary of distribution terminology, university textbooks and teaching material for national certificate of qualification, and related laws and ordinances. Second, the survey covers retailers' management situations by store format. The retailers used as the sample for the survey include department stores, discount stores, SSM, and convenience stores. Altogether, 20 specialists were interviewed in their respective sectors or retail formats. Finally, the project team surveyed a sample of 1,300 consumers nationwide on 50 distribution terms mainly used by consumers, including those about awareness, understanding, usage, and attitude. Results - In total, 1,249 terms are drawn through literature research including distribution terminology used in the related literature, glossary and lexicons, distribution terminology in textbooks, and legal terminology. A classified table comprises four large categories including general distribution, distribution marketing, distribution information, and merchandise. The results of the three-step research including literature survey, field survey of retailers, and consumer survey were advised to be screened by academia (retail associations, faculty etc.), retailers (major retail management by store format), retail specialists and consultants, consumers, and Korean linguists. In total, 1,300 questionnaires for 50 terms of the distribution terminology closely associated with consumers were distributed to subjects nationwide. Conclusions - The desired and expected results from this study are summarized from three perspectives as follows: First, from retailers' perspective, a new concept, or coinage of new terms of the distribution industry stems from advanced countries such as America and Europe. However, the original meaning and definition are diluted and distorted with changes in the language users' situations and context. This study provides basic guidelines for standardization of distribution terms used among various retail formats in most daily life situations that consumers encounter. Second, from the nation's perspective, this study suggests optimal choices of distribution terminology in the context of laws and ordinances regarding concerned Ministries. Last, from the consumers' perspective, this paper enables consumers to understand and use distribution terms properly in their daily life.

• 유통과학연구
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.17-25
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• 2014

Purpose - This study used empirical methods to investigate the consciousness structure of vendors in the S marketing area, which is a commercial revitalization district in the country, and examined its effect on their business activities. Based on the results derived through the performance of an actual proof analysis, this study aims to facilitate the promotion of changes in the consciousness structures of traditional market vendors, with a view to allowing them to adapt to the current economic realities in the country. Further, this study aims to provide suggestions that would improve the efficiency of the commercial revitalization program of the government. Research design, data, and methodology - This study examined all the stores in the S marketing area using a questionnaire survey conducted over three weeks beginning on July 4, 2012, and involved the performance of a data analysis on 1,859 samples. The questionnaire consisted of two parts. The first part addressed the market revitalization and the second part addressed the store management strategies. Questionnaire responses were calibrated based on a Likert scale. Statistical analysis was conducted using PASW version 18.0. Results - The results of the analysis of the consciousness structure of merchants in the S marketing area have led to the discovery that they have a medium level of satisfaction with market revitalization. There was a difference in the perceptions of the concept of store management between merchants and customers. Merchants have poor strategies for store management, which do not go much beyond an imitation of the practices of large domestic discount stores. Conclusions - The appearance of big discount stores and the accompanying changes in people's consumption patterns have led to a decline in local market areas. The government has sought new ways to secure autogenic power for local markets. To create regional economies, the government enacted a revised "Law for creating traditional markets and shopping streets" in 2010 and introduced a commercial district revitalization program. This program, which originally supported only the S marketing area, has subsequently expanded into neighboring shopping districts so that the whole of the regional market can be revitalized. However, since the revitalization of the traditional market and the government support required for it were mostly limited to facilities, the result has not proved to be effective. Although there are several reasons why the government investment was characterized by poor efficiency, traditional market vendors' consciousness structure, which did not adapt well to the vagaries of time and its consequent changes, was a major cause. Only when vendors have a true merchant spirit can they have a real service focus that will enable them to clearly understand the distribution organization. This will have the effect of bring about complete customer satisfaction and will ensure the survival and development of traditional markets.

• 유통과학연구
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• 제14권10호
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• pp.153-164
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• 2016

Purpose - In general, large companies have larger organizations, funds, and systems to provide more effective and efficient services in the market. However, development needs to support the livelihood of ordinary citizens who work for small businesses as well. This research suggests that a new distribution channel, called a "foothold style Kosa mart," that cooperates jointly with a distribution center and a large discount mart can provide direct solutions to small and mid-size distributors. This new distribution channel can achieve a limited type of "Nadle shop (small supermarket) foster project" related to building a joint distribution center and improvement in wholesale supply. Research design, data, and methodology - Data about the Korea distribution situation, the Nadle stores, and the logistics centers were collected from literature, Statistics Korea, journals, and reports. Specifically, we investigated information about Kosa Mart and Nadle stores. We focused on the redesign of the distribution center for the Nadle store. Results - The Kosa Mart distribution center now includes 18 warehouses, and has been handling 2000-3000 items. Most of the warehouses have been simply designed and items loaded and stored without refrigeration; thus, it is possible to store only products of certain manufactured goods. The current logistics center has no wholesale function because it failed to resolve the joint purchasing and product supply issues of competitively priced products. Conclusions - This study aimed to identify ways to strengthen the competitiveness of small- and medium-sized retailers. A Kosa Mart redesign aims to unifying the logistics center, stores, and customers. First, the joint wholesale logistics system, equipped with an integrated ordering system, needs to process customer orders and store orders at the same time. Second, excellent small business product development has to connect with production. Third, the store composition needs to support a shipping hub. Fourth, the Mart differentiates itself from convenience store goods by supplying regional and specialized products to customers. Fifth, a service buying agent and direct transactions between producers and consumers need to be established, and exhibits and displays of goods need to be improved.