Comprehensive Appraisal for the Development of Different Retail Formats in China ——An Empirical Example in Xi＇an

Nowadays, new retail formats have been growing rapidly in China. Looking into the different retail formats＇ development deeply, a quantitative method＇is proposed for comprehensive appraisal. The proposed method uses the retail life cycle to structure the appraisal factors hierarchically as the criteria in the basic framework of the AHP, and obtains the weight of the criteria from ratio-scale matrices as well as the scores of the altemative retail formats from pairwise comparison matrices. And this method is applied to study the different developing level of three retail formats in Xi＇ an and their developing order is then gained.

Heterogeneous consumers, search and retail formats

This paper proposes a model featuring the heterogeneity of consumer preferences and analyzes the multiple equilibrium of retail formats by building a map of the relationships between consumer heterogeneity and retail formats. The key questions analyzed in this paper are how the retailer adjusts its combination of marketing elements through repositioning and how innovation in retail formats is implemented to match consumers＇ heterogeneous preferences in a market with consumer search costs. Unlike recent research, our model, by taking different consumer preference structures into account, introduces consumer psychological costs into the Ehrlich-Fisher model and deduces the existence of different retail formats and their multiple equilibriums. We find that consumer heterogeneity, retailers＂ diversified transfer costs and economies of scale are endogenous drivers of prosperous retail formats. Accordingly, diversified retail formats with complementary functions and differentiated services can be described as the horizontal extensions and interface changes of the retailing industry.

The Transformations of Retail Trade Formats in Europe at the Beginning of the 21st Century

The paper aims at identifying the transformations in trade influenced by the main macroeconomic forces of trade companies in European countries in the 21st century. The author surveys the specialist literature dealing with marketing and trade. On the basis of the research carried out, it has been established that the development of new retail formats （e.g. convenience shops, e-commerce）, which was influenced by the transformations in the macroeconomic environment of companies, was observed. At the same time, retail formats of hybrid character （e.g. discount convenience shops） have appeared and old well-known ones like department stores, supermarkets, or discount shops have strengthened their market position. The knowledge about the issues presented in the following paper has practical implications and can be helpful for managers of trade companies.

Analysis of the Competition in China＇s Supermarket Sector

China＇s supermarket sector has been growing with a high rate for ten years. Relying on the advantages of new formats and adapting to the economic change of China, several China＇s supermarket companies have replaced the traditional department stores to become the leading player in retail industry of China. Although the interesting phenomenon shows that although these supermarket companies have the inherent problems of shortage of capital and weaknesses in management, their expansion is more emphasized on sizes and speeds. Being weak in management and over squeezing ,margin from suppliers that might lead their position to be vulnerable. Their market share is taken by different competitors, more notably by foreign giant retailers. Competition will become more fierce and complex. Merging, making joint ventures with foreign investors, expanding into chain and fuU-format retailer, hunting for skillful people would be the key strategic options to keep the sector＇s growth.