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1 – 10 of over 2000Xiaodan Pan, Guang Li, Martin Dresner and Benny Mantin
As ecommerce becomes more prevalent, traditional brick-and-mortar retailers such as warehouse clubs (WCs) face the challenging task of maintaining and growing their customer base…
Abstract
Purpose
As ecommerce becomes more prevalent, traditional brick-and-mortar retailers such as warehouse clubs (WCs) face the challenging task of maintaining and growing their customer base. This study aims to unravel the combined impact of retail agglomeration and ecommerce activities on consumer foot traffic (also referred to as “footprint”) at WC stores, placing an emphasis on the locational strategies adopted by WCs in this evolving retail landscape.
Design/methodology/approach
Mobile-based customer foot traffic data for Costco, a major U.S. WC chain, is sourced for our analysis. We use Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to identify dimensions of general merchandise (GM) and narrow-range merchandise (NM) retail agglomeration. Two-stage least squares (2SLS) regressions are used to explore how the intensity of ecommerce activities and WC locational choices within retail agglomerations impact WC foot traffic.
Findings
Our analysis highlights a notable decline in WC store visits attributable to both GM and NM ecommerce activities, with GM ecommerce presenting a more significant competitive challenge to WCs. Regarding retail agglomerations, proximity to GM clusters that include a diverse range of supercenters, department stores, and club stores, is associated with an increase in WC customer visits within their vicinity. In contrast, the influence of NM agglomerations is mixed; clusters adjacent to grocery stores lead to higher WC customer traffic compared to those focused on other specialized stores. These findings underscore the strategic importance of location in mitigating the adverse effects of ecommerce competition. Additionally, our study uncovers intricate dynamics between GM and NM retail clusters and ecommerce activities, demonstrating varied impacts on WC customer footprint.
Research limitations/implications
Access to customer footprint data illustrates the potential of this data source for retail decision making and researchers. Our analysis is limited to one chain, notably Costco.
Practical implications
Our findings underscore the need for retailers to adeptly navigate the evolving retail landscape, including the confluence between physical and digital retail environments, to secure future success. In particular, our results emphasize the benefits of locating stores within mixed retail agglomerations and underline the need to consider the broader retail landscape in location decisions.
Social implications
The rise of ecommerce in the U.S. has reshaped consumer behavior and altered local shopping districts’ communal dynamics. This change may spur policy interventions to help physical stores compete with online retailers, emphasizing the importance of retail diversity and community-centric environments to sustain communal retail interactions amidst digital advancements.
Originality/value
The paper makes use of a unique dataset to provide a first assessment of the combined effects of retail agglomeration and ecommerce activities on consumer foot traffic for WC retailers. Thus, this paper provides insights into the impacts on consumer shopping behavior from the dynamic interactions between physical retail clusters and online shopping behaviors.
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Data has become one of the most significant instruments in e-commerce innovation. Benefits to the entire society can be summarized as following: from the government’s perspective…
Abstract
Data has become one of the most significant instruments in e-commerce innovation. Benefits to the entire society can be summarized as following: from the government’s perspective - to assess the impact of e-commerce to the economy; for merchants - to understand consumers’ needs; and for consumers - to be offered with the right product he/she is looking for. The digital revolution in the past five years has shown the need to offer more differentiated services than the physical stores, when consumers are not able to try and touch products. It is for this reason that e-commerce has continuously developed and transformed Research Online, Purchase Offline into a true experience. Considering the future of e-commerce is to enhance economic development and growth, this research will discuss the disruption of Research and Development through big data. The core objective of this research is to propose a predictive model to deeply understand consumer behavior by analyzing new regulations and transaction records.
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The purpose of this paper is to describe and explain the case of a major knowledge transfer project conducted over seven years within a region of the UK.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe and explain the case of a major knowledge transfer project conducted over seven years within a region of the UK.
Design/approach
As part of this project a large survey is conducted on an annual basis which aims to track eBusiness adoption amongst small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region and the effects of such adoption upon regional development.
Findings
The paper presents findings from this longitudinal study and discusses these findings in terms of conceptions of eBusiness and the importance of developing more sophisticated instruments for assessing eBusiness maturity amongst SMEs. From the research there is clear evidence of the role of eBusiness adoption as a driver of regional development. The benefits from the initial Opportunity Wales programme are still materializing several years after the completion of the first three years of the seven year project.
Research limitations/implications
This is a study of one region in Europe. Further regional cases are required to support the findings.
Practical implications
The findings should help regional planners and national governments assess the value of eBusiness initiatives.
Originality/value
This paper describes the case of a programme funded by the European Union involved with the transfer of eBusiness knowledge to SMEs conducted over the period April 2001 to September 2007 within a major region of the UK. The scope of the research project and its longitudinal nature make the study original.
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Offers a preliminary assessment of electronic commerce. Rarely has the retail and consumer services sector been faced with a strategic challenge of such significant complexity and…
Abstract
Offers a preliminary assessment of electronic commerce. Rarely has the retail and consumer services sector been faced with a strategic challenge of such significant complexity and uncertainty that is growing so rapidly. Suggests that the academic world is lagging behind the world of practice in terms of supplying rigorous analysis of the topic. Deals with four discrete areas of the new economy as it affects retailers. Explores the extent to which the emergence of new electronic channels to market has led to distinctive means of business differentiation, with particular reference to branding and pricing. Secondly, looks at how business‐to‐business companies can use electronic channels to improve supply chain and productivity requirements. Thirdly, assesses how far we understand some of the organisational change issues. Finally considers the future of eCommerce.
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Syndicated investments in startups within a particular industry follow an evolutionary path consistent with models of industry growth and evolution. Some industries spend a long…
Abstract
Syndicated investments in startups within a particular industry follow an evolutionary path consistent with models of industry growth and evolution. Some industries spend a long time gestating, while others grow and mature quickly. Entry into ecommerce industry segments has both characteristics. What spurred the sector's slow emergence and subsequent quick rise? One obvious answer is the development of the Internet in the mid-1990s. However, a competing possibility is that the diffusion pattern resembles an epidemic among venture capital firms. This chapter examines how the existing structure of the VC syndication network in the US enabled such an epidemic. Consistent with existing theory on the spread of a disease in a small world, this study argues that the incidence of investments in ecommerce startups was a function of prior investments located on shortcuts in the network. The time frame is 1980 to just before the NASDAQ boom in 1999.
Dimitrios Xanthidis and David Nicholas
According to studies and surveys conducted world‐wide, government incentives and current legal frameworks, private initiatives and investments, technology available at a…
Abstract
According to studies and surveys conducted world‐wide, government incentives and current legal frameworks, private initiatives and investments, technology available at a reasonable price, and public acceptance of the internet as an efficient medium for buying goods and services are driving ecommerce growth. Academics, information technology experts and even politicians in Greece are aware of these essential requirements as well. However, although internet access has grown significantly and the digital foundations are there, ecommerce is yet to reach measurable levels in Greece. This paper attempts to explain the reasons why and suggests corrective actions by all those actively involved with Greek ecommerce.
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Paul Jones, Paul Beynon‐Davies and Elizabeth Muir
The development of Ecommerce within Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Wales is restricted by a number of barriers. Various projects initiated by government and academic…
Abstract
The development of Ecommerce within Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Wales is restricted by a number of barriers. Various projects initiated by government and academic bodies exist to assist SMEs overcome these barriers. However, whether these projects represent the needs of SMEs is debatable. The opportunity for SMEs to exploit information communication technology has increased due to the improved affordability and sophistication of computing equipment, along with the development and utilisation of the Internet. This progress has seen the emergence of Ebusiness and Ecommerce, whereby SMEs can operate, communicate and trade in global markets. Recent surveys by academia, government and trade bodies have identified Wales as the worst performing region for Ebusiness in the UK with sceptical attitudes towards its increased adoption. This paper reports on a quantitative study investigating Ebusiness utilisation within SMEs in Wales. Specifically this paper focuses on the key barriers influencing the adoption of Ebusiness within SMEs in Wales. The survey of the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce (CCC) membership was undertaken in 2001. The CCC is a trade body of approximately 1000 SMEs encompassing a geographical area covering Cardiff, Bridgend, Newport and the Valleys areas. The postal survey and telephone follow up achieved a response rate of 100 SME classified enterprises, a response rate of approximately 10%. Academic research has identified these barriers as deficiencies in financial resources, time, information and skills; concerns over security, legal issues and competition and doubts over the applicability of Ebusiness to their business practices and cultural and infrastructure issues. These barriers are a major influence as to how Ebusiness will develop within SMEs and this paper identifies the significance of each factor in constraining growth. The paper concludes by investigating the assistance for SMEs from academia, government and trade to develop Ebusiness activities and questioning whether these are representative and effective mechanisms for this sector. This paper contributes to knowledge by appraising and contrasting existing barriers to Ebusiness literature and comparing it with the relevant SOGM literature. Secondly it classifies barriers in two ways by type and time of occurrence. Finally the paper recognises that the support mechanisms for Ebusiness within SMEs remain unproven and require further investigation to verify their effectiveness.
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Ashish Arora and Surabhi Singh
The learning outcomes are as follows: identify the challenges and opportunities in an ecommerce start-up B; understand the issues of operational sustainability of ecommerce…
Abstract
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes are as follows: identify the challenges and opportunities in an ecommerce start-up B; understand the issues of operational sustainability of ecommerce start-up; evaluate the sustainability of hyperlocal models to ecommerce start up; and implement innovative solutions to address the issues of e-business models.
Case overview/synopsis
It was the cold winter evening of December 2016 when Puja, a cofounder of freshfruggies, an e-commerce start-up company, made up her mind after meeting her cofounders of reviving the Venture “freshfruggies” as a Hyperlocal Fruits and Vegetables Delivery Company in a non-metro town of Jalandhar in Punjab province of India. She contemplated the poor performance of the company in the past which prepared her for the better planning and execution of operational sustainability of freshfruggies. Puja took the critical decision of revival as she planned to develop the right business strategy for ensuring continuity. freshfruggies had been experiencing constant losses since its inception, and the issues of its sustainability needed attention. It was a dream project for all the co-founders who started with the vision to make freshfruggies a popular ecommerce model of hyperlocal fruits and vegetables delivery in the happening city of Jalandhar. However, lack of trained manpower, weak digital marketing strategy and lack of operating efficiency emerged as major issues of operational sustainability in freshfruggies. The co-founders outlined the possible options to revive freshfruggies after deliberating upon the challenges faced. The choices were limited and time was running out along with finances. The options included either changing the business model to a hybrid retail model or to continue as an ecommerce company after sorting out demand and supply issues. There was an urgent need to take a decision in this regard.
Complexity academic level
This case focuses on undergraduate and graduate courses in entrepreneurship and operations management courses.
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
Subject code
CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.
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Rosy Boardman and Helen McCormick
The purpose of this paper is to provide a greater understanding of why and how different ages use shopping channels, analysing preferences and motivations for use.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a greater understanding of why and how different ages use shopping channels, analysing preferences and motivations for use.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with a sample of 50 female participants, aged 20-70. All were customers of a fashion retailer that has ecommerce and mcommerce platforms, stores and catalogues, in order to gain a better understanding of loyal consumers’ multi-channel behaviour.
Findings
Multi-channel shopping behaviour increased with age; the 20s did not engage in multi-channel shopping behaviour but viewed each channel as a separate entity. Mcommerce is the preferred shopping channel for the 20s, but its popularity and motivations to use decreases with age. Ecommerce is the most popular shopping channel due to convenience, selection, adventure/exploration and idea shopping. The physical store was the preferred channel for the 60+, who shopped there for convenience and enjoyment. Catalogues were seen as out-dated and no longer considered a transactional channel.
Originality/value
There are no previous studies that have investigated channel preferences and motivations across a 50-year age span using loyal customers. The majority of previous studies looking at multi-channel shopping behaviour are quantitative and so this qualitative enquiry provides a richer insight into reasons for consumer preferences and motivations. The study contributes novel findings to the literature as it shows that multi-channel shopping behaviour increases with age, and younger consumers (20s) are not partaking in it at all.
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Egghead Software, Inc. was a successful computer software and hardware multi‐channel retailer in the USA until the mid 1990s. Then, in 1998, they closed down their retail…
Abstract
Egghead Software, Inc. was a successful computer software and hardware multi‐channel retailer in the USA until the mid 1990s. Then, in 1998, they closed down their retail operations and Egghead Software, Inc. became Egghead.com – an eCommerce only retailer. This paper presents the key decisions, management changes, and environmental factors resulting in Egghead.com’s ultimate demise. Conclusions are made that can help retail and other sales channel managers and executives learn from Egghead’s mistakes, so that they can increase their market presence, strengthen their relationship with customers, and increase their power in the supply chain.
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