• Asia Marketing Journal
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.7-26
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• 2012

The success story of E-mart fascinated many academics and practitioners alike. Though E-mart began as a nameless discount store in Chang-dong, Seoul in 1993, it has transformed itself into a leading distribution company and one of the most powerful brands in Korea. Surprisingly, it achieved the great success against the two crises it met: the national economic crisis and the invasion of the global giant Walmart. The main objective of this case study is to formally examine how E-mart overcame the two crises. More specifically, this case study highlights the ways with which E-mart turned those difficulties into opportunities for growth. In our examination of the E-mart case, we could clearly see E-mart's competence and spirit that allowed it to turn crises into advantageous opportunities. E-mart attracted the customers who wanted value-oriented consumption by its positioning as the "Lowest price discount store", when consumer sentiment was frozen under the economic crisis. Furthermore, when a large-scale foreign discount store like Walmart entered the Korea market, E-mart built its core competencies as the 'Korean style discount store'. These ingenious positioning and efforts resulted in E-mart taking over their archrival, Walmart, and forced the global Goliath to exit the Korean market. The case of E-mart's effective crisis management teaches many important lessons and a few core lessons that apply to many companies. One such lesson is the importance of positioning which enabled E-mart to turn crises into opportunities. Granted, the strategy of positioning as the 'Korean style discount store', or 'Lowest price discount store' was possible due to overall support with cost reduction, development and management of their own system, an apprentice educate system, etc. based on an excellent selection of location of the store and efficient distribution systems. Still, the positioning strategy of E-mart was truly ground breaking in distancing itself from its competitors. The lessons from E-mart will help those companies currently in a stagnant situation or a crisis to turn their obstacles into great success.

• Korean Business Review
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• v.14
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• pp.95-128
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• 2001

The entry of large discount stores such as LG-mart, E-mart into small cities such as Choonchun or Wonju have had a profound impact on the business of small-sized retailers. The impact of the entry by large discount store is too big compared to that of the entry by department store. Now, it becomes the matter of survival for small-sized retailers. Regulation and protection are not the best solutions to solve these problems. It cannot solve the fundamental problems. Consumer buy products based on their needs not retailers' problems. Without satisfying consumers' various needs and wants, retailers can not survive. Therefore, it is extremely important to understand retail competition from the perspective of consumers and investigate overall retail competition not competition between two different types of retailers. In this study, we analyze the relationship between products and purchasing places, the competitive relationship among retailers. As a result, we get big picture of retail market and discuss the revitalization of conventional retailers. In addition, we propose new solutions to conventional retailers' problems from the perspective of consumers.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.33-40
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• 2015

Purpose - This study aims to find out what impacts large retailers' behaviors appearing when they promote the strengthening of their market dominating power in the trade relations with small and medium suppliers or in the market can have on consumers. Research design, data, methodology - This study analyzed negative information (news) on large retailers (Lotte Mart, E-Mart and Homeplus) based on the monthly data over the past five years from 2008 to 2012 and also analyzed the correlation between dependent variables that are likely to affect sales through large retailer economic index, Results - This study conducted a correlation analysis on the time lag of the factors that have an impact on the negative information and sales of large retailers in order to analyze how consumers respond to the choice of large retailers' store (store sales) when they perceived negative information about the un- ethical behaviors of large retailers. Conclusions - Unfair and negative information on large retailers appeared significant for the hypothesis that sales will be affected by the image of large retailers and change of consumer attitudes.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.14 no.10
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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.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.109-113
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• 2010

Since July 2007, the government has banned the use of the existing non-legal measurement units, and has forced us to use the unified legal measurement. Therefore, the existing clothing size unit also has been changed into centimeter dimensions from inches. However, consumers have been familiar to used to the traditional inches unit. So they have the confusion to directly survey the size table sign for clothing or to contact the employee when purchasing clothing. By the current size table sign the customers can compare the inches unit and centimeters unit, but they are difficult to see it. Therefore, there is necessary to improve the size table sign by the way that can be easy to be found and seen by consumers is given to the clothing corners. In this research, three improved size table signs were developed. And they were evaluated by the consumers in terms of preferences and awareness of them. Eventually, the best size table sign was selected. From this result, if the large-discount mart use the best improved size table sign on behalf of the current one, the problems of existing size table sign will overcome and improve customer satisfaction.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.129-137
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• 2016

Dark and desolate underground parking spaces in commercial facilities are optimal spaces for crime. First, this study reviewed 15 precedent CPTED guidelines and related literatures, and as a result extracted 45 CPTED planning criteria for underground parking facilities. Secondly by field survey, we investigated six parking spaces in commercial facilities whether they were planned properly based on 45 checklist items, in six categories of CPTED principles. In result, target facilities showed average 46.8% relevance ratio, which means less than a half of 45 items of CPTED planning factors were not applied. Guidelines suggest desirable illuminance level of more than 100 lux, however the measurement of illuminance levels in some parking spaces showed below 50 lux. Relatively department stores were keeping CPTED guidelines better than large discount mart and mixed used facilities. Definition of territory of loading dock and customer area should be clarified, clear signage and color scheme in different zones should be represented with higher level of territorial responsibilities and surveillance in mixed used facilities for further improvement.

• Korean Business Review
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• v.13
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• pp.107-132
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• 2000

The entry of large discount stores such as E-mart, LG mart, Magnet etc. into small cities have had a profound impact on the business of small-sized retailers. Now, it becomes the matter of survival for small-sized retailers and it is almost impossible to reverse those trends. Without satisfying consumers' various needs and wants, retailers can not survive. Therefore, it is extremely important to understand retail competition from the perspective of consumers in order for retailers to survive in the turbulent environment. The previous research studies on retail competition have focused on the comparison among different types of retailers with respect to strategic retail mix variables. However, they do not consider the competitive aspects of consumers' sides. In addition, we do not fully understand the meaning of "shopping." Shopping means hedonic shopping as well as utilitarian shopping. Utilitarian aspects are important but consumers also prefer' hedonic aspects too. That is the reason that traditional retailers such as small-sized retailers can not compete with modem and large retailers. We use three different methods to identify the macro and competitive structure. of retailing with respect to shopping. Factor analysis, multidimensional scaling, and multiple correspondence analysis are used to produce perceptual mapping of retail competition. Department store and large discount store are identified as close competitors but both might have an indirect impact on small-sized retailers through demand shift toward high end retailers.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Interior Design Conference
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.193-196
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• 2005

The value of all goods and services produced in the economy divided by population has risen from $7.355 in 1998 to $12.646 in 2003. In other to maintain higher standard of lifestyle, people are 'hungry' for time. The idea of saving time and money by providing many different types of products altogether in one space was implemented with the advent of large warehouse style discount stores. These type of retailers grew in size and popularity during the 1990s and 2000s, causing a decline in sales in the old, traditional downtown markets. From ancient to twenty-first century, the role of the grocery store has been that of the social center of the community; a place of unity and interaction of people. The experience a customer engages in at a grocery store is comparable to that of a museum. Not only is the grocery store a unique, physical space to visit, but also a rich collection of fascination items. The layout of the interior space is meticulously planned for the efficiency of customer circulation and the success of product exhibition. Eye catching graphics and attractive lighting also add to the appeal of the grocery store's high style. Shoppers are no longer satisfied with just buying good products at a lower price. Shoppers prefer to spend time in an entertaining environment. The Hanaro Mart project in this study propose the idea of warehouse style discount stores which can satisfy all the demands of customers and their various activities. This study will open up unique dimensions of aesthetic expression and experience in the interior environments. Shopping for food is an unavoidable task. If food shopping is enjoyable, more people will spend more time at it.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.117-128
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• 2008

The purpose of the research is to furnish basic data for efficient and effective marketing by examining the correlation how a certain element effects on customer's selection behavior, when they choose private label branded clothes at the store of giant discount store like E-.mart, Home-plus, Lotte-mart and 2001 outlet. We come to the following conclusions through such procedures; What we found on this study is that main factors of decision related purchasing garment of private brand in giant discount store is based on the sales price, quality of products and needs of customer's using. Further to this, in terms of choice activity in private brand clothes, we realized the price value is depend on the resonable price with the items because nowadays most customers can be compare to other discount store around their shopping place including trend of garment and quality of products. The order of the general inclination in selection behavior of private branded garment in giant discount store is as follows; Sales price > style & trend > quality of product and substantial convenience > display and prompt buying. Judging from the conclusion of the research we noted that customer's satisfaction comes from their target price to supply substantial needs and in terms of styling of clothes should be considered current trendy compared to national brand as well.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.93-105
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• 1998

Many large scale discount stores try to enter the market in newly developed city areas. In order to sucessfully increase the market share, it is essential for them to understand customers' needs. In doing so, various forms of survey methods are often used and survey forms can influence respondents' decision. The main objective of this paper is to check consistency of different survey methods in terms of deriving the expected market share. In this paper, we a, pp.y two survey forms for both AHP and conjoint analyses using a randomized complete block design. Using AHP, we compare Kim's club, Carf, E-mart and Macro in terms of the following four customer attributes: parking facility, size of store, business hours, and special pricing policy. In conjoint analysis, we estimate the part-worth of each level of the customer's attribute so that one can design the best store which would optimizethe customer's attribute so that one can design the best store which would optimize the customer's utility. Empirical comparison results indicate very low consistency between the two methods. It implies the importance of verification methods of survey. We also analyze the impact of special pricing policy using a meta analysis. It turns out that older customers are a, pp.rently more sensitive to pricing policy.