Thesis (Ph. D.)--Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 288-305).

Dissertation--Universitat St. Gallen, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 192-208). Also available in print.

Background: The retail industry is highly affected by the changes in the world. With the disruptive force of digitalization, more and more of the transactions within retail is moved online as the e- commerce has expanded making the retail industry more competitive. This change has and is forcing many offline retailers to close business around the world but in this change, has new trends emerged. Both online and offline retailers are starting to see the value of having physical stores as well as having an online presence. Doing so creates opportunities for both e-commerce companies and physical retail stores to create value using multiple channels. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find out how an independent fashion brick and mortar store can create value for consumers through multiple channels to gain a competitive advantage against pure online retailers and larger retail companies. Method: This topic will be studied with a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with customers in demographic 18-30 years old with the goal of understanding how customers purchase clothes in different channels to create insights for independent brick and mortar stores. The data were analyzed with the seven steps of Grounded Theory. Conclusion: The results of the research show that independent brick and mortar store have competitive advantages regarding personal service, products, and product assessment. However, many customers want to search for information and inspiration about products online before they shop, even if the actual purchase is made in a store which means that independent brick and mortar stores need to have their products online for that. It was also found that customers want more flexibility between channels. For example, purchase online and pick-up in store. The authors believe that with this changes, independent brick and mortar stores can compete in the 21st century while still maintaining their current advantages.

Historians have long viewed American department stores as barometers of social change, anchors of modern urban life, and purveyors of a new kind of consumer capitalist culture. In its heyday, from the late nineteenth century to the middle twentieth century, the department store was all of these things, but it was also much more. This dissertation draws on business, government, and family papers to reveal how a new kind of businessman, the department store retailer, pioneered powerful political and trade networks that were deeply embedded in Washington and stretched across the Atlantic into the increasingly volatile capitals of Europe. As campaign contributors, trade policy advisors, and political appointees, retailers like John Wanamaker, Isidor Straus, Louis Kirstein, and Ira Hirschmann regularly moved through the inner circles of the national government. They could just as easily be found on Capitol Hill, or at trade offices located in London or Paris, as behind their own desks in the upper floors of Wanamaker’s or Filene’s. Retailers’ command of vast transatlantic trade networks, now largely forgotten, made them key participants in pressing debates about everything from tariff reform and economic recovery to wartime mobilization and the plight of refugees. Yet retailers approached politics and commerce with profoundly different sensibilities than executives at other major American corporations, such as Ford, United Fruit, or Coca Cola. In the retail industry, commercial expansion depended not on the domination of foreign markets and foreign workers, but rather on transnational cooperation and the development of policies and business methods that upheld both the sovereignty and distinctiveness of other nations—and their goods. In this complex era, as the imperatives of trade routinely collided with politics and other large forces, from devastating world wars and widespread depression to the rise of new radical ideologies, retailers did much more than market desire. They brokered vital connections between Americans, Washington, and the world.

Samples of stores were drawn from two chains, Pizza Hut and Zale Corporation. Two different samples were taken from Pizza Hut. Site specific material and sales data were furnished by the companies and demographic material relative to each site was gathered. Analysis of variance tests for linearity were run on the three regression equations developed from the data and each of the three regressions equations were found to have a statistically significant linear relationship. Statistically significant differences were found among similar variables used in the prediction of sales by using Fisher's Z' Transformations on the correlation coefficients. Eight of the eighteen variables used in the Pizza Hut study were found to be statistically different between the two regions used in the study. Additionally, analysis of variance tests were used to show that traffic pattern variables were not better predictors than demographic variables.

The main aim of my thesis on the topic "Selected forms of Selling the Organic Food - specialty stores" is to assess the actual state of organic food sales in specialty stores in terms of assortment, conditions and sales culture. Likewise, this work allow the reader to learn what is the difference between Czech and foreign quality organic food, who is a typical customer buying organic food, what are comments of organic food vendors, etc. Furthermore, this theme is dealing with regional sales or sales of fair trade products. In the end, we design measures that would help to further expansion, for example, sales of organic food. The goal is not to extend the organic food popularity, but to make consumers aware of benefits of buying organic food just in speciality stores or in health food stores.

Thesis (DTech (Marketing))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012. / Secondary data sourced from the Kronos Time Keeping system and Human Resources department indicate that absenteeism amongst Pick n Pay employees are constantly increasing and it seems that management has adopted a laissez-faire attitude in response to rectifying absenteeism. This study has endeavoured to establish if staff absenteeism is rife in supermarkets, which employment status has higher absenteeism figures and does it affect customer services. The objectives of this study were to answer and find solutions to the research question and the multiple questions arising from the research problem: do the supermarket employees understand the impact of absenteeism to the organisation? Is management aware of the causes of high employee absenteeism? Do management have solutions to reduce the absenteeism rate? Do management know which employee status has higher absenteeism figures? What procedures can be adopted to reduce absenteeism? The overall effect of any solution should focus on creating a more absent free and customer orientated organisation. The empirical investigation was carried out through quantitative as well as qualitative research methodology. Absenteeism statistics were collected from the five participating supermarkets in the Western Cape human resources departments and were made available to the researcher as secondary data. Four different data collection methodology were used to conduct the enquiries in the five participating supermarkets.

Este trabalho apresenta resultado de um estudo de caso sobre as atividades logÃsticas demandadas por uma loja de departamento cujo objetivo à elaboraÃÃo de uma proposta de operaÃÃo para a prestaÃÃo de serviÃos logÃsticos a lojas de departamento. As atividades logÃsticas foco deste estudo foram levantadas junto a loja de departamento e ao centro de distribuiÃÃo responsÃvel pelo atendimento das atividades logÃsticas desde o armazenagem atà a entrega na loja. A empresa foco deste estudo atua em nÃvel nacional, possui mais de 100 lojas e està presente em todas as regiÃes do Brasil. Para o estudo de caso foi utilizada entrevista estruturada aplicada a gestor de loja de departamento e do centro de distribuiÃÃo. As observaÃÃes feitas basearam-se em pesquisa bibliogrÃfica e em pesquisa documental sobre o segmento em questÃo tanto das lojas de departamento quanto de operadores logÃsticos especializados em moda. O estudo realizado possibilitou a elaboraÃÃo de uma proposta de operaÃÃo para a prestaÃÃo de serviÃos logÃsticos a lojas de departamento. / This paper presents results of a case study on logistics activities demanded by a department store whose goal is to develop a proposal for the operation of logistic services to department stores. The focus of this study logistics activities were raised with the department store and the distribution center responsible for the care of logistics activities from storage to delivery in store. The focus of this study company operates nationally, has over 100 stores and is present in all regions of Brazil. For the case study was used structured interviews with manager and department store distribution center. The observations were based on literature review and documentary research on the segment in question both department stores as a specialist in fashion logistics operators. The study enabled the development of a proposed transaction for the provision of logistical services for department stores.

Orientador: Paulo Sergio Scarazzato / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Civil, Arquitetura e Urbanismo / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-13T03:58:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Martau_BetinaTschiedel_D.pdf: 55725573 bytes, checksum: 7dff9393612962ee9f33a68ebefa45e9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: Este trabalho aborda os impactos nao visuais da exposicao humana a luz tentando relacionar a qualidade da iluminacao a saude e bem-estar das funcionarias de lojas. A amostra do estudo transversal foi definida aleatoriamente, com a participacao de mulheres voluntarias. Foram selecionados tres grupos com dez participantes em cada: lojas de rua com contato com exterior e turno de trabalho diurno (9h as18h), lojas de shopping centers sem janelas para o exterior com turno de trabalho diurno (10h as 18h) e lojas de shopping centers sem janelas para o exterior com turno de trabalho tarde e noite (14h as 22h). A avaliacao da iluminacao considerou as dimensoes das lojas e caracteristicas dos sistemas, incluindo ofuscamento, aparencia de cor da luz, flexibilidade e possibilidade de controles da iluminacao pelas funcionarias. A avaliacao de aspectos relativos a saude e ao bem-estar utilizou como instrumentos as escalas psicometricas validadas pela area da Psicologia para afericao de sintomas depressivos, de ansiedade e estresse. A avaliacao das condicoes de sono e analise do ritmo atividade/repouso foi feita com um actimetro com luximetro acoplado (Actiwatch), e a analise do ritmo de temperatura corporal, com um sensor de temperatura (Ibutton). Foi estabelecido o padrao de luz 24h a que esteve sujeita cada participante durante cinco dias consecutivos e verificada a influencia deste padrao no sistema circadiano, atraves da medicao dos niveis de melatonina e cortisol salivar. O grau de satisfacao das funcionarias e suas preferencias relativas a iluminacao do ambiente de trabalho foram levantados atraves da aplicacao de questionarios. Os dados foram analisados utilizando-se correlacoes de Pearson, ANOVA e regressoes tipo stepwise, tendo como ferramenta o SPSS for Windows 13.0. No grupo das lojas de rua, os resultados indicam que, apesar de o nivel de satisfacao das funcionarias com os sistemas de iluminacao nao ser elevado, a presenca de luz natural contribui para sua saude e bem-estar. O cruzamento de aspectos de satisfacao e emocionais com os aspectos biologicos indicou que quanto maior a satisfacao geral com a iluminacao pela funcionaria da loja de rua, maior o nivel de melatonina as 24h e menores o escores de depressao. A possibilidade de contato com o exterior neste grupo leva a melhores condicoes fisiologicas, principalmente nas condicoes de sono, que os demais grupos. Nos grupos de shopping centers, a correlacao inversa encontrada entre a iluminancia geral media da loja e a satisfacao geral com as condicoes da iluminacao no ambiente de trabalho merece destaque, porque e nesta categoria que os escores foram mais altos em todas as escalas aplicadas, indicando piores condicoes emocionais, e onde ha alteracoes nos aspectos biologicos avaliados. A pesquisa conclui ser necessaria a revisao das estrategias para a iluminacao de lojas, sejam elas de rua ou de shopping centers, buscando-se resolver os possiveis conflitos entre uma iluminacao para vender produtos e a que considere a loja como um ambiente de trabalho. / Abstract: This work addresses the issue of non-visual impacts of human exposure to light, in an attempt to relate the quality of lighting to health, comfort, and well-being of female retail store employees. The sample for the cross-sectional study was randomly established with female volunteers. Three groups were selected: street retail stores with outside contact and daily working hours (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.), shopping mall retail stores with no window facing outside, with daily working hours (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), and shopping mall retail stores with no window facing outside, with afternoon and evening working hours (2 p.m. to 10 p.m.). Each group included ten employees. Assessment of lighting considered the dimensions of the stores and characteristics of systems, including the occurrence of glare, color appearance of light, flexibility, and possibility of lighting control by employees. The tools to assess well-being and health were psychometric scales internationally validated by the psychiatric field to measure depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. Assessment of sleep conditions and analysis of the activity/rest rhythm was carried by a wrist monitor with attached luximeter (Actiwatch) and the analysis of the body temperature rhythm was made by a temperature sensor (Ibutton), to which each participant was submitted for five consecutive days. The lighting pattern's influence on the circadian system was verified by measuring saliva melatonin and cortisol levels. The degree of satisfaction of employees and their preferences regarding work environment lighting were surveyed by applying questionnaires. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlations, ANOVA, and stepwise regression, with the tool SPSS for Windows 13.0. In street retail store group, results indicate that even though employees' satisfaction with lighting systems is not high, the presence of natural light contributes for their health and well-being. Crossing the assessment of satisfaction and emotional aspects with biological ones indicated that the higher the street retail store employees' general satisfaction with lighting, the higher their melatonin level at 12 p.m. and the lower their depression scores. Possibility of outside visual contact in that group leads to better physiological conditions, especially sleep conditions, than the other groups. In shopping mall groups, the reverse correlation found between the store's average general illuminance and general satisfaction with lighting conditions in the work environment is worth pointing out, since scores were highest in that category (worse emotional conditions) in all scales applied and there are changes both in cortisol rhythm (tendency to lower rhythm in the morning and afternoon mall group) and in melatonin (tendency to phase delay in the afternoon and evening mall group) as well as differentiation in activity rhythm and temperature in the afternoon and evening mall group. Shopping mall employees' miss visual contact with the outside, being able to vary lighting during the workday, and consider lighting as excessive. Most of them reported that they would like to reduce the amount of light in their workplace during the day. The study concludes that it is necessary to review the stores' lighting strategies, whether they are street retail stores or shopping mall retail stores, to seek new guidelines able to solve the possible conflicts between light oriented to sell products and that which considers the store as a workplace. / Doutorado / Arquitetura e Construção / Doutor em Engenharia Civil

The following project is a collaboration with HRI Teknik and Robomatic AB, that found a possible market for improving cleanliness in grocery stores by improving the hygiene of costumer baskets. Bacteria and left over items in the basket builds up a health risk for the costumers, if not properly cleaned regularly. The dirt and bacteria from the basket is broth home thru the groceries coming in contact during shopping. The need has been strengthened by surveys for the two store managers and the customers of the grocery store. To reduce the spreads of diseases, the baskets should be cleaned better and more frequently by having the proper detergent and cleaning system. The aim of the study is to develop a concept of a cleaning machine for baskets used in grocery stores. This is done by a well- defined technical driven development process, considering all six steps. The supportive research concerning framework has laid as a foundation for the construction of the cleaning machine. Research proves that framework creates a robust and safe construction, absorbing tensile and compressive forces in the longitudinal direction. The outcome from the technical driven process and the theoretical study is a visual, three dimensional model of concept. The concepts main function is to be driven by a belt with hooks, which is hanging on the machine. The baskets are then hanged on the movable belt in order to get cleaned. During the project, resources as material, working place and expertise is provided to sufficient degree so a concept can be developed. Since the project has a limited period of time, it was recognized the project would not be able to get to the production stages. The concept and function need to be tested and investigated to solve the remaining details. This is left for further development beyond the project, and is laying at HRI Teknik and Robomatic AB.