The Role of Customer Factors in Multiple Store Patronage: A Cost-Benefit Approach

This paper is concerned with the use of multiple stores by supermarket customers. It relates the number of stores patronized to a set of customer factors under a unifying theoretical framework emphasizing cost-benefit analysis. Respective hypotheses are tested in a large random sample. This study is a first attempt to empirically address the structure of multiple store patronage. It is demonstrated that multiple store patronage is affected by variables such as customer income, satisfaction, and expenditure that are suggestive of heterogeneous cost-benefit tradeoffs and opportunity costs of time. It is shown that customers are intrinsically different in the predisposition to being loyal. In this respect, store patronage is a continuum between single store loyalty and use of several different stores, on which customers vary depending on individual preferences. The empirical analysis also suggests that exclusive patronage of the favorite store arises from two observationally equivalent latent segments that differ in their inclination to remain loyal. The results yield valuable insights into the structure of store patronage and lead to important implications for retail managers. Several extensions are considered. A broad set of research questions surrounding store patronage can be considered from a cost-benefit viewpoint in the sense that consumer decisions in this area involve trading off economic resources against assortment, spatial and temporal benefits.     

Further Mining the Predictability of Moving Averages: Evidence from the US Stock Market

Most studies on the predictability of moving average (MA) technical analysis use the discrete (buy/sell) trading recommendations. However, it is possibly incomplete or unreliable to explore the predictability of MA by only employing its generated trading signals. To further explore the forecastability of MA, we study its measurable impact on the stock market returns by using a conventional predictive regression framework. Our empirical study on the US stock market with respect to more detailed price information finds, (i) that the proposed predictor, MADP (MA based on daily prices) shows significant predictability in‐ and out‐of‐sample, and significantly outperforms the historical average (HA) benchmark as well as the MA based on monthly prices, (ii) that the predictability of MADP centers on the short‐term lags (within the most recent 10 days) and disappears when lags are beyond 20 days, and (iii) that the economic evaluation of the portfolios based on trading strategies confirms the superior performance of MADP with short‐term lags against the benchmark even though considering transaction costs.     

中国实体零售企业运营效率及其影响因素研究——基于随机前沿分析方法

近年来，零售产业发生较大变化，实体零售企业纷纷关闭门店收缩经营，探讨新时期实体零售企业运营效率水平及其影响因素具有现实意义。文章利用2007—2016年实体零售企业门店调查问卷数据，采用随机生产前沿和随机成本前沿等不同模型，检验营业面积和员工数量两种投入要素情况下的零售企业生产函数特征，例如规模报酬效应、产出弹性以及规模经济效应等，同时检验实体零售门店商圈竞争度、门店经营历史、商品周转天数、日交易量和客单价等因素对门店运营效率的影响效应。结果发现，我国实体零售企业处于规模报酬不变阶段，专卖店和百货店的运营效率较高，而超市和购物中心的运营效率较低；以及门店经营历史、日交易量和客单价对门店运营效率具有正向影响。最后针对实体零售企业门店经营决策提出管理建议。     

An empirical examination of performance in the clothing retailing industry: A case study

This article estimates the efficiency of the 40 retail stores of a prestigious clothing company that operates in the Portuguese fast-fashion retailing market. The study compares the performance among the stores and provides insights into ways of improving performance in the retail clothing industry. A two-stage approach is used in this article. In a first stage, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) techniques are used to evaluate the performance of each store and to rank the stores. The input-oriented model was used to assess the summer and winter collections between 2010 and 2013. The results show that the total technical efficiency of the company decreases over time. Except for the year 2013, over 90% of the stores show increasing returns to scale during 88% of the period analyzed. The company faces a clear problem of productivity in its retailing operations. This deficiency seems to be intrinsic to the firm as it involves more than 60% of the stores. In a second stage, a quantile regression technique was used. This showed primarily that for the lowest quantiles of the efficiency score conditional distribution the coefficients on experience are very low, even close to zero, which suggests that the efforts taken by the stores in terms of experience are barely recognized by consumers in this fast-fashion retailing chain.     

Using workplace population statistics to understand retail store performance

We explore the value of recently released workplace geographies and accompanying census-based workplace zone statistics (WZS) and an associated classification of workplace zones (COWZ). We consider how these data could support retailers in their operational and strategic decision-making, including the evaluation of retail demand and retail store performance in localities where trade is driven by non-residential demand. In collaboration with major UK grocery retailer The Co-operative Group we explore the relationship between workplace population composition and store trading characteristics using a series of case study stores within Inner London. We use empirical store trading data to identify store and product category level temporal sales fluctuations attributable to workplace populations. We also use census-derived flow data to identify the spatial origins of workplace population inflow. We identify that store performance exhibits characteristics attributable to demand driven by these populations. We conclude that workplace population geographies, WZS and the COWZ afford considerable potential for understanding drivers of store performance, observed store trading patterns and evaluation of retail store performance. We suggest that the next step is to build these populations and their micro geography spatial and temporal characteristics into predictive models and evaluate their potential for store performance evaluation and location-based store and network decision-making within this sector.     

Effects of neighbourhood characteristics on store performance supermarkets versus hypermarkets

We investigate the impact of neighbourhood characteristics on the relative attractiveness of product categories within a store, with special attention for the differences between hypermarkets and supermarkets. We consider two questions. Firstly, is the impact of neighbourhood-specific factors on attractiveness of product categories smaller for hypermarkets than for supermarkets? Secondly, is there a difference in relative attractiveness of product categories between supermarkets and hypermarkets and to what extent is this difference dependent on kind of neighbourhood? For the impact of store and trading area characteristics on category and store performance, we use a framework that was originally presented in Campo et al. (J. Int. Res. Market 17 (2000) 225). Empirical application to national stores of a European retail chain confirms the differential impact of neighbourhood characteristics on supermarkets and hypermarkets. The research proves that geomarketing analysis can be useful for developing micromarketing strategies.     

Foreign portfolio investors before and during a crisis

Using a unique data set, we study the trading behavior of foreign portfolio investors in Korea before and during the currency crisis. The central message is that investors in different categories have different trading patterns. For example, foreign investors outside Korea are more likely to engage in positive feedback trading strategies and are more likely to engage in herding than the branches/subsidiaries of foreign institutions in Korea or foreign individuals living in Korea. This difference in trading behavior is possibly related to the difference in their information. This paper suggests that it may be worth exploring policies that can encourage foreign investors to acquire more information (e.g. by setting up a branch or a subsidiary in the emerging country).     

On the measurement of retail marketing mix effects in the presence of different economic regimes

This study deals with the measurement of the effects of retail marketing instruments on annual sales in retail stores. We assume that the sales level in retail stores is determined by an interplay of supply capacity and demand factors. In some stores sales are supply-determined, whereas in other stores sales are demand-determined. If it is not known a priori what economic regime applies, the more traditional approaches lead to biased estimation results. Therefore, a switching regression model is proposed to estimate the marketing mix effects.Our ideas are tested using data from four different types of stores in the Dutch retail trade and a comparison is made with a more traditional approach. The main conclusions are: the traditional approach leads to underestimation of the marketing mix effects. A switching regression model seems to be a promising instrument for analyzing these effects. The method has a wider applicability than the retail trade.     

Informed trading in the index option market: The case of KOSPI 200 options

This study examines if informed trading is present in the index option market by analyzing the KOSPI 200 options, the most actively traded derivative product in the world. The spread decomposition model developed by Madhavan, Richardson, and Roomans (1997) is utilized and the adverse‐selection cost component of the spread estimated by the model is then used as a proxy for the degree of informed trading. We find that adverse‐selection costs constitute a nontrivial portion of the transaction costs in index options trading. Approximately one‐third of the spread can be accounted for by information asymmetry costs. A further analysis indicates that adverse‐selection costs are positively related with option delta. Our regression analysis shows that option‐related variables are significantly associated with estimated information asymmetry costs, even when controlling for proxies for informed trading in the index futures market. Finally, we find the evidence that foreign investors are better informed compared to domestic investors and that domestic institutions have an edge in terms of information over domestic individuals. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 28:1118–1146, 2008     

Local competition, entry, and agglomeration

This paper analyzes competition between two spatially differentiated multi-product retailers who encounter entry from a low-cost discounter. We assess how entry affects the pricing of the incumbent stores and the role played by the location of the entrant. Our primary objective is to identify how traditional retailers respond to new forms of low-cost retailing. Results show that post entry, the prices for some products are higher than the pre entry. However, which product prices increase depends on the incumbent’s location. Contrary to conventional wisdom, we find that the store closer to the entrant is better off compared to the incumbent located further away. We empirically demonstrate the main workings of our theory using sales data from several grocery stores that saw entry by discount stores in their trading areas.     

自营式电商的数字化升级机理

自营式电商是传统零售自营模式基于互联网情境的拓展,然而其原有的痛点与瓶颈依然存在。探讨自营式电商如何更好地发挥商业资本职能具有理论和实践的双重意义。不同于电商发展的早期阶段,数字化为自营式电商跳出传统的盈利困境、摆脱单一的平台化转型思路、回归自营并最终驱动流通效率变革提供了广阔可能。为了揭示自营式电商如何实现数字化升级,文章首先从理论视角出发,归纳了自营式电商的本质属性和数字化作用的可能路径。而后选取了两家典型的案例企业,结合微观情境刻画了其内在机制。研究发现：利用数字技术,自营式电商可以通过强化商业资本职能提升商品经营效率,通过供应链反向整合实现流通效率与生产效率的同步改进,更能以数字化赋能的方式加速市场扩张并提升线下实体门店的运行效率。以上机理为自营式电商及其数字化零售创新提供了一定启发。     

基于业态变异视角的我国百货业盈利模式思考

近年来,我国百货业经营模式从传统的自营模式逐渐转为联营模式,百货店对商品的进、销、存管理功能弱化,百货业的盈利模式随之也发生根本性的变化,出现靠收取专柜佣金或租金盈利的"通道费盈利模式"。这种盈利模式使我国百货业发展出现诸多弊端,并造成我国百货业态属性的变异,不利于我国百货业的持续发展。文章主要运用百货业上市公司数据,分析联营模式下我国百货业业务结构、利润来源、盈利能力和盈利潜力的变化,探讨了这种盈利模式对百货业核心技术、服务特征、盈利空间和风险形态的影响,并指出我国百货业盈利模式向"价值链盈利模式"转变所需要的条件和路径,据此提出相应转变的对策思路。     

The behavior and performance of major types of futures traders

This article examines the behavior and performance of speculators and hedgers in 15 U.S. futures markets. We find that after controlling for market risk factors, speculators are contrarians, but respond positively to market sentiment. In contrast, hedgers engage in positive feedback trading and trade against market sentiment. We also find that trades of speculators (hedgers) are positively (negatively) correlated with subsequent abnormal returns; however, it does not appear that speculators possess superior forecasting power. Therefore, hedging pressure effects likely explain the negative relation between the performance of speculators and hedgers. The positive feedback trading by hedgers together with their negative performance suggests that hedgers have a destabilizing impact on futures prices. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 23:1–31, 2003     

基于高频数据的波动率与成交量动态关系研究

传统的价量分析都是从低频数据来分析股票市场上波动率、收益率与成交量之间的关系。基于高频数据,利用分位数回归并结合高频数据的波动率估计方法对高频数据中所呈现出的价量关系进行研究,并分析了股票价格跳跃过程所带来的跳跃方差与成交量之间的关系。实证分析表明：指数及个股收益率与成交量之间的关系并不显著;波动率、跳跃与成交量之间存在着显著相关的关系,个股的波动率与成交量之间的关系显著并呈现出正向相关关系,而指数的波动率与成交量之间呈现出一种负向关系,并且关系比较微弱;个股的成交量的改变会导致股票价格的跳跃方差的减小,而指数的成交量的改变则使得指数的跳跃方差增大。     

基于知识交易视角的供应链伙伴关系与创新绩效实证研究

以供应链企业间知识交易为视角,构建了供应链伙伴关系、知识交易与创新绩效之间关系的概念模型,其中供应链伙伴关系包括信任与关系承诺两个维度。利用结构方程模型结合256家供应链上下游企业的调查数据对上述概念模型进行了实证研究。研究结果表明,供应链企业间信任对关系承诺、知识交易与创新绩效有显著的正向影响;关系承诺对创新绩效有显著的正向影响,但其对知识交易的影响并不显著;知识交易对创新绩效有显著的正向影响。     

惯性或反转策略会提升投资绩效吗?——以开放式基金为例的实证分析

运用面板模型,将交易策略指标纳入Sharpe指数多因素门限模型,分别考察在前期Sharpe指数为正和为负的情况下,惯性和反转交易策略对基金绩效的影响。对2006年第一季度至2010年第三季度中国开放式基金面板数据的分析表明:惯性策略在总体上会对投资绩效产生负面影响,而反转交易策略对投资绩效的影响则始终是不显著的。     

沪港通的绩效增长与反向选择效应——兼论实现高质量增长的资本市场改革路径

本文从金融服务实体企业角度探讨了沪港通对“成分股”绩效增长是否存在激励效应和治理效应,以及沪港通的成分股“选择机制”是否存在“反向选择效应”,并综合运用线性调整、逆概率加权、内生处理效应、异质性处理效应等估计方法,得出如下结论:(1)“沪港通”政策的实施有助于提升成分股企业的绩效水平;(2)沪港通持股水平高更有助于提升企业绩效水平,表明沪港通持股存在治理效应;(3)政策实施过程存在潜在的福利损失——那些在“沪港通”中受益水平较低的企业更大概率地被选入成分股,从而降低了开放政策所能达到的最优福利水平。这表明以“试点”方式进行资本市场开放,会产生因“反向选择”而导致的福利损失。因此,需要加强改革的“强度”和“广度”,适时提升“沪港通”交易份额,并扩大沪港通成分股范围,以提高微观企业增长水平及增长质量。     

An empirical examination of clustering and dispersion within Canadian shopping centers

In this paper, data on the internal compositions of 90 planned regional shopping centers in the five westernmost provinces in Canada are used to examine the locational pattern of stores in shopping centers, to see whether these locations are consistent with exploiting demand externalities and the physical features of the mall. The empirical relevance of so-called “rules of thumb” for locating stores in shopping centers is also assessed. We find that there is clustering of service stores near mall entrances, and clustering of comparison shopping stores near corridor intersections and on the second floor of two-story malls. Clustering tends to occur in the ladies' wear, jewellery/fashion accessory, and unisex clothing store categories, facilitating comparison shopping. Clustering of stores in the service category facilitates multipurpose shopping. A regression analysis indicates that clustering may depend upon the size, age, and type of mall in question. Overall, results are consistent with consumer transportation/shopping costs and demand externalities driving the internal store location strategy of planned regional shopping centers.     

Consumer satisfaction in retail stores: theory and implications

The substitution of small retail stores by the large stores has been a topic of debate among academics, practitioners, retailers and general public, especially in the context of foreign firms entering emerging markets such as China and India. The purpose of this research is to find out the determinants of consumer satisfaction in small and large retail stores in an emerging market, with a sample from India. Data were collected using a 39‐item structured questionnaire developed by the authors. The sample consists of 225 consumers who shop at retail outlets (Convenience sample of 125 consumers from small and 100 consumers from large stores respectively). Exploratory factor analysis grouped the 39 variables into 14 factors. Further, regression analysis revealed that six of the factors (Social desirability, staff friendliness, shopping economy, shopping ambience, family shopping and deal proneness) were major predictors of consumer satisfaction as they were found to be significant at 5% level. The significance of factors such as social desirability and staff friendliness imply that many consumers prefer those typical features of small stores, which in turn results in the likely coexistence of small retail formats in spite of the entry and proliferation of large retail stores from different countries. We posit three theoretical propositions to stimulate further research in this area.     

The Politics of Japan–China Trade and the Role of the World Trade System

The large and rapidly growing trade relationship between Japan and China has occurred against a backdrop of political tensions. This study measures performance of the trade relationship, benchmarking it against other trade flows worldwide, and examines the impact of the politics on bilateral trade performance. To do this, a frontier gravity model is estimated using core determinants of trade. This gives a benchmark against which to measure trade performance, explained using resistances to trade. While the economic relationship is not independent from the politics, an important conclusion is that trade has not been diminished or disturbed by politics to a significant extent. China’s commitment to the global trading system from the mid‐1980s and its accession to the WTO in 2001 has meant that tensions in the political relationship with Japan from time to time have not derailed, but rather have increasingly come to be dominated, by the economic relationship.