The purpose of this research is to develop an established assortment-planning model identifying procedures and activities for women's wear retail buyers. This research built three assortment-planning models: (a) a conceptual moddel based on a secondary data analysis, (b) a practical-use model based on interviews using questionnaire and a set of activity cards, (c) the suggested model based on the conncetion analysis of the previous two models. Integrated DEFinition (IDEF) Functional modeling method was used to describe procedures and variables of functional activities of assortment planning and to increase the consistency of a model developing process. The variables of functional activities were determined as input, mechanism, constraint, connection, and output based on IDEF0 diagram format. Other research and pilot interviews confirmed the reliability of methodology. Experts and interviewees validated the three models. The abstract level of the suggested assortment-planning model included following concepts: (a) problem recognition, (b) information search, (c) qualitative evaluation, (d) quantitative evaluation, (e) product selection plan, and (f) plan sales. / Ph. D.

Wal-Mart has plans to open a store in the town of Blacksburg, Virginia. The fact that there is already a Wal-Mart store, in the town of Christiansburg, just four miles away from the proposed location makes this idea ridiculous for some. A large group of Blacksburg residents are opposed to the idea of a Wal-Mart in their town. The usual complaints are about how it will affect small businesses and traffic. The core concept of the "big box" store is not the problem. The idea of being able to get everything you need, from motor oil, to toothpaste, is appealing to consumers. The "one-stop-shopping" concept is not the problem; the big box design is. Retailers like Wal-Mart, K-mart, and Target cause adverse effects on the communities they service because their design is does not embrace the surrounding areas. This thesis project is an architectural alternative to the big box store design. I propose two corrective strategies. The first correction is the removal of the sea of asphalt that acts as a barrier between the store and the street. Parking is coveted in this country; therefore, the car will not be banished. However, an activity as monotonous as parking can not be permitted to take center stage. A parking structure is proposed to be located behind the retail area. This allows the main activity, shopping, to be accessible directly from the street; and for the architecture of the shops to directly interact as close as it can with the fabric of the town. Instead of one big box, several small structures make up a market place atmosphere. This allows each shop to have its own identity while still being part of a holistic place. The shopper is not funneled through a maze of merchandise all under one roof with no windows. Individual shops, each with their own entries and exits, restore a sense of orientation and give individuals an opportunity to choose how to spend their time. Wal-Mart has expressed an interest in exploring new store designs more fitting to small communities. This thesis is an example of what a new design concept might be. / Master of Architecture

The study has a twofold purpose. The first is to determine the extent to which organized selection and training practices exist in small apparel and accessory retailing establishments, and the general attitude which small retailers of apparel and accessories express toward the value of selection and training functions. The second is to construct a practical system which can be used in small apparel and accessory retailing establishments.

The aim of this diploma thesis is to analyse the retail concept of the IKEA Group. The theoretical part focuses on retail concepts in general, trends which are currently having a significant influence on retail concepts and the country of company's origin -- Sweden. The practical part analyses three main pillars of its retail concept -- catalogue, store and web site. Further it analyses Company's marketing tools, IKEA's trademark, copyright and its activities related to environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

Store image research has attempted to identify factors contributing to formation of positive or negative perceptions of stores by consumers. These factors include tangible and intangible elements. Of the tangible factors, store atmosphere (including store layout and congestion level) is often identified as contributing to store image. Intangible factors influencing store image include emotional or psychological reactions that consumers have in response to various tangible store factors. One of these emotional responses is retail crowding. Retail crowding is a state of psychological stress occurring in consumers in response to perceived high density levels in stores. Crowding literature suggests that environmental cues, including layout and density level, contribute to this stress level. The overall purpose of this study was to expand on current research by incorporating the concept of retail crowding with store image research.

by Chan Hang Kin, Chan Mang Lung, Or Ching Lee, Anna. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 85-86). / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iv / Chapter / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter II. --- METHODOLOGY --- p.6 / Chapter III. --- OVERVIEW OF CHINA RETAIL MARKET --- p.9 / Chapter IV. --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.18 / Chapter V. --- CASE STUDIES OF SELECTED RETAILERS --- p.39 / Chapter VI. --- SURVEY FINDINGS --- p.52 / Chapter VII. --- ANALYSIS --- p.63 / Chapter VII. --- CONCLUSIONS --- p.70 / APPENDIX --- p.80 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.85

by Lee Yuek Yu, Clara, Pong Mei Wah, Debbie. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1989. / Bibliography: leaf 40.

by Wong Chun-Ming. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 52-53). / ABSTRACT --- p.i / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.ii / CHAPTER / INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Scope of study --- p.2 / Research Objectives --- p.3 / Methodology --- p.4 / LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.6 / MACRO-ENVIRONMENT --- p.10 / DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS IN CHINA --- p.14 / TRADITIONAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM IN CHINA --- p.14 / The Pre-reform Structure: - The Three Tier system --- p.14 / Reform of Distribution System --- p.15 / The Reform of Wholesale System --- p.15 / Phase I: Abolition of State Monopoly --- p.15 / Phase II: Reforms in Pricing and Distribution --- p.16 / Phase III: Multi-ownership Type --- p.15 / The Reform of Retail System --- p.19 / Recent Development in Retail System --- p.20 / Problems of Traditional Distribution System --- p.22 / NEWLY DEVELOPED DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS --- p.25 / Direct Outlets --- p.25 / Direct Marketing in China --- p.25 / Foreign Agents Operating in China --- p.26 / SELECTION OF A DISTRIBUTOR --- p.27 / Types of Distributors in China --- p.27 / Where to Find a Distributor --- p.29 / Evaluating Potential Distributors --- p.30 / CASE STUDIES --- p.33 / Tobacco Manufacturer --- p.33 / Beverage Manufacturer --- p.37 / Watches Manufacturer --- p.40 / THE EXPERIENCE OF CASE STUDIES --- p.44 / CONCLUSIONS --- p.49 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.52

Abstract This research paper tracks the growth of e-commerce retail sales from 2000 through 2018 to see if the emergence of e-commerce has affected the retail real estate market in any way. With many stores now offering online shopping and many large retailers contemplating lowering their presence in brick and mortar stores, this question is relevant now more than ever. In order to test for the correlation between e-commerce retail sales growth and the retail real estate market, a collection of retail real estate factors are investigated. This paper tests retail real estate factors at the United States country level and a more in-depth city level that investigates 66 individual cities nationwide. In the OLS modeling, these retail variables represent my dependent variables. These dependent variables were then regressed on a yearly basis against total e-commerce retail sales and a vector of control variables. The results show that returns of the NCREIF property index, asking rent, and percent change in commercial real estate prices for the U.S. are negatively impacted by total e-commerce retail sales. These results indicate that the growth of e-commerce retail sales has negatively impacted the retail real estate market to some degree. This correlation can have long term impacts on the survival of many retail businesses and can eventually affect the economies of small towns and cities across the country. If physical retail locations begin to suffer, other local stores and restaurants will likely suffer as well, eventually impacting the economy on a larger scale.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--RAND Graduate School, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.