Mega-retailers are widely criticized as causing devastation among smaller retailers, particularly in mid-sized markets in the United States. Others argue that small retailers can survive “in the shadow of the retail giants,” by offering levels of customer service that the mega-retailers can’t provide due to their very size. This paper reports the findings of an empirical study of the perceived impact of the recent opening of box-retailers, such as Costco and Home Depot on locally owned/operated small retailers in the northeastern Ontario city of Greater Sudbury, Canada from 1999 to 2003. The sample included 78 smaller store owners, on average in operation for the last 21 years. Aggregate results confirmed the hypotheses that small retailers suffered lower sales and clientele since the arrival of mega-retailers, and could clearly identify their and mega-retailers’ respective competitive advantages and disadvantages as compared to each other. Respondents had a significant perception of having an advantage over their mega-competitors in the areas of Store Cleanliness, Value for the Customer, Products’ Quality, and Store Layout. While a number of respondents suffered lower sales, about one-third of them (the Resisting Retailers) had average sales growth of over 21%. Differentiation and Niche Marketing were the main aspects of a successful competing strategy adopted by resisting retailers against mega-retailers. Some of the strategic moves adopted by resisting retailers amounted to a “Vacuum Strategy,” which includes the refusal to carry brands available at mega-stores, and the refusal to service such brands or to have anything to do with megaretailers, refusing any alliance with them and making it known to customers.

The purpose of this study is to examine and adjust as needed the Kang (1999) assortment planning model to fit the planning process of bridal retail buyers. Five buyers who are owners or managers of small, independent bridal retail businesses were selected purposively and participated in in-person interviews about their assortment planning practices. A model was developed for each company interviewed, depicting the order of the assortment planning steps as practiced by bridal retail buyers. The final models were confirmed with follow-up interviews. Findings from this study suggest that the assortment planning steps used by bridal retailers are similar to the steps used by women's dress buyers, as found in Kang's (1999) study. Bridal buyers use the six steps proposed by Kang to be included in the assortment planning process, however the bridal buyers' assortment plan is more intuitive, integrated, and loosely constructed than that of women's dress buyers. Three following variables were considered for their affect on the bridal retail buyer's process: (a) product-specific factors, (b) company-specific factors, and (c) buyer characteristics. Within the factors, the characteristics of product type and organization size were thought to have the most effect on the process. / Master of Science

The retail sector in India is experiencing a shift from an industry dominated by small grocers serving the needs of local markets to one characterized by chain retailers, both national and international. The liberalization of the retail sector in the last decade has edged the street-vendors, squatters, and small retailers from the prime business spaces to marginalized peripheries, which had led to widespread localized protests by the small retailers all over the country. The Aminabad Market in a metro city in northern India provided a unique opportunity to study ongoing resistance against chain retailing. The retailers of Aminabad were at the center of the most vocal protests and organized numerous strikes that led to the government action. Within this setting, this study employed an ethnographic methodology to explore the narratives of resistance by the street vendors, squatters, and small retailers in a traditional market in India. The study further explores the protests that are constituted in ‘local’ market conditions; and how they can become the basis for universalization of ‘local’ resistance into the mass-based movements. For this purpose, the theoretical framework utilizing Harvey’s conceptualizations of local resistance movements as well as Williams’ concept of the “militant particularisms” and narrative storytelling were used in this study. To this purpose, the study examines small retailers’ participation, their use of communication strategies to develop resistance narratives, and the techniques used in universalizing the resistance. The implications of current study suggest that although the typical small retailers maintains a defiant narrative against chain retailing, the social, economic, political differences within prevent the formulation of a unified agenda that represents their diversity. The unresolved ideological, social, and economic particularities within small retailing have a divisive influence on their resistance movement. The study also discusses the use of “Participatory Action” approach for facilitating a productive participation among the constituents, which can be a way forward for future research. Participatory Action can actively facilitate the resolution of underlying ironies for reforming and recreating the institutions according to the small retailers’ needs and resistance discourse that reflects their collective expression.

Purpose: In the past two decades, shopping online has grown at a rapid pace, and it had a significant impact on every player in the retail industry from a small retailer to large retail chains. The retailers were forced to redefine the way they operate by managing various channels to reach their consumers. This study explores the obstacles that small retailers are facing while transitioning to omnichannel retailing and identify the capabilities required to overcome the obstacles. Main research questions: 1. What market pressures do small retailers experience with the change in consumer shopping behavior? 2. What are the obstacles that small retailers face while transitioning into omnichannel retailing? 3. Which capabilities assist the small retailers in overcoming the obstacles that they are facing while transitioning into omnichannel retailing? Methodology: This thesis has conducted multiple case studies. In the study, eight small retailers located in Uppsala and Stockholm are the main research participants. After reviewing the relevant literature and collecting empirical data via interviews, we categorized the findings into different themes. And analyzed the empirical findings by using the dynamic capability framework. Findings: The findings from the study reveal that retailers encountered challenges associated with managing channel integration, lack of availability of resources, and skills necessary for transforming into omnichannel retailing, which aligns with findings from the literature. In addition to that, the study found obstacles that small retailers have abundant responsibilities within their small organization. They perceive low returns on technology investments and have complications associated with it. Furthermore, small retailers have limited knowledge of the use of advanced technologies.

The performance of small businesses contribute substantially to the South African economy. In recent years the South African Government has prioritised the development of township retail industries by implementing numerous initiatives. The primary objective of this study was to determine how formal independent small retail businesses in Soweto manage their logistical supply chain drivers, namely facilities, inventory and transportation, in terms of responsiveness and cost-efficiency in order to survive. The logistical supply chain drivers should not only be managed as a cohesive unit, but also be aligned with the orientation of the selected supply chain strategy, in terms of responsiveness and cost-efficiency. During 2014, a quantitative survey was conducted among 650 formal independent small Sowetan businesses of which the responses of 556 retailers were analysed in terms of responsiveness and cost-efficiency. The study also investigated the role of the relevant industry group in the management of the logistical supply chain drivers by the business owners. The data was analysed and tested by the Kruskal-Wallis test, the Pearson Chi-square test and factor analyses were performed. Two binary logistic regression models were developed to determine the influence of the management of the logistical supply chain drivers on the small retailers’ odds of survival. The results showed that the small retailers manage facilities and inventory focused more towards responsiveness, whereas transportation is managed focused on either cost-efficiency or responsiveness. The study concluded that age and growth in income can predict the odds of survival for small businesses. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)