Development of the grocery retail market in China: A qualitative study of how foreign and domestic retailers seek to increase market share
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the development of the grocery retail market in China. International retailers have been in China for more than ten years, during which period a series of profound changes has occurred in the Chinese retail sector. International retailers introduced advanced retail techniques and managerial approaches; domestic retailers grew more sophisticated in their supply chain management. Foreign‐based retailers in China can compete in hypermarket and supercentre formats because they offer higher‐quality products and achieve larger economies of scale. Domestic retailers compete by operating smaller formats and maintaining good relationships with governments and local communities. However, formerly state‐owned domestic retailers appear less competitive because they lack funds and adopt poor management styles. This study aims to make recommendations about future developments by domestic and foreign grocery retailers.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper takes the form of a qualitative study involving in‐depth interviews with four retailers: Wal‐Mart, Bonjour, Wu‐Mart, and Jingkelong.
Findings
The findings pertain to several different themes, including consumers, business relationships and distribution centres, product lines, store formats, quality systems, and competition.
Research limitations/implications
The study's findings are based only on four retailers.
Practical implications
The paper presents a series of recommendations for both foreign‐based and domestic retailers.
Originality/value
This research is among the first to investigate operator attitudes toward competition in the grocery retail market in China.
Keywords
Citation
Hingley, M., Lindgreen, A. and Chen, L. (2009), "Development of the grocery retail market in China: A qualitative study of how foreign and domestic retailers seek to increase market share", British Food Journal, Vol. 111 No. 1, pp. 44-55. https://doi.org/10.1108/00070700910924227
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited