Nicholas Alexander

The retail internationalisation process

Considers the development of international retail thought and the need for an integrated conceptual approach to the process of retail internationalisation. The paper considers the development of international retail thought within the context of international retail activity and subject development and suggests the intellectual influences on the development of retail thought have, at times, constrained the development of a better understanding of the internationalisation process. Having established the parameters of debate, the paper considers the search for a synthesised approach to the understanding of the internationalisation process and integration of retail international theory within broader economic and international business frameworks. In the context of this theoretical material, the paper presents a framework within which international activity may be considered.

Retailers and International Markets: Motives for Expansion

Multinational retail operations are becoming an increasingly important element in the modern retail environment. Until recently, multinational organisations have been limited in number, particularly because of the inhibiting cultural and organisational problems associated with international retail operations. The under‐researched issue of the motivations which lie behind multinational retail operations is addressed by discussing the findings of earlier relevant research and presenting the findings of a survey carried out among leading United Kingdom multinational retailers. An investigation is made of the motivating factors behind international expansion and the significance of problems encountered. The survey suggests retailers′ attitudes to international operations changed during the 1980s and this has important implications for future developments in multinational retailing.

International retail divestment

The divestment of international retail operations is an under‐explored area of research. Conceptual and theoretical developments within retailing have tended to focus on those organisations that have sustained international development rather than on those organisations who have experienced market failure and strategic withdrawals from international markets. The paper discusses two prominent UK cases where market withdrawal has been a feature of international activity. A cross‐case analysis is then used to identify issues for further research activity. In particular, the cross‐case analysis uses the existing constructs that have emerged from the general literature to explain divestment activity while highlighting the limitations of using these constructs within the retail sector. The paper concludes by noting the limitations of existing frameworks that seek to explain the internationalisation process without due consideration of the divestment process.

Internationalization motives and facilitating factors: qualitative evidence from smaller specialist retailers

Drawing on case study evidence, this article explores the reasons small specialist retailers internationalize and the facilitating factors that help them overcome the obstacles to internationalization. The authors employ qualitative research techniques and, to build theory from an unexplored area of research, adopt a multiple-case approach. The findings suggest that though a strong company brand identity is the most significant motive for expansion, other internal and external factors facilitate the international decision-making process.

Brand authentication: creating and maintaining brand auras

Purpose – This paper aims to consider the process of creating and maintaining brand auras through the assertion of authenticity and to address the gap in the literature.Design/methodology/approach – A case study research strategy was adopted. The organisational processes considered justified the case study approach. Interviews with key actors were supported by other methods of gathering data and the triangulation of findings: documentary analysis and participant observation also provided valuable insights.Findings – The paper evaluates the validity of Beverlands six attributes of authenticity to the brand considered in this research. The results show that three of the attributes are more significant in the case considered here: stylistic consistency, relationship to place and downplaying commercial motives.Research limitations/implications – Future research may wish to consider other mass‐market products and the relative importance of identified sources of authenticity. Consideration should be given to t...

Power and control in international retail franchising

Purpose – As international retailers continue to employ franchising as a major method of market entry, the control of these international retail franchise networks becomes of significant importance. The aim of this paper is to examine the methods by which UK‐based international fashion franchisors control franchisees and their international franchise businesses.Design/methodology/approach – The paper employs a qualitative methodology and a multiple case design. Six UK‐based fashion retailers with international franchise operations form the empirical basis of the study.Findings – The franchise contract, support mechanisms, franchise partner selection, the franchise relationship and the use of master/area franchising were found to be the major methods by which international retail franchisors exert control over their franchise networks. While coercive and non‐coercive sources of power were identified in the form of the franchise contract and support mechanisms, the paper also identifies sources of relations...

International retail franchising: a conceptual framework

Franchising has become a major driving force in the globalisation of service businesses. Likewise, international retailing has become an important feature of global distribution systems. This has been brought about through changing socio‐economic patterns, favourable political and cultural environments, and a shift from manufacturing to service based economies. Both developments have contributed to the globalisation of marketing activity. However, there remain fundamental conceptual inconsistencies in the literatures that explain the development of international retailing and the internationalisation of franchise operations. This paper considers the use of franchising in the internationalisation of retail operations and places the experience of retail operations that use the market entry strategy within the context of other franchising activity. The paper evaluates the literature on the internationalisation of retailing alongside the literature on franchising. It identifies the different perspectives that have emerged within the two literatures and conceptually reconciles the contradictions that exist.

The role of management characteristics in the internationalisation of SMEs: evidence from the UK retail sector

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to specifically explore the role of management characteristics in the international development of SMEs.Design/methodology/approach – Since the intention of this study was to build theory from an unexplored area of research, a multiple case approach was deemed most appropriate. In doing so, this paper responds to recent calls in the literature for in‐depth case research (e.g. Westhead et al., 2002; Doherty, 2003).Findings – This paper highlights the importance of objective and subjective characteristics as factors which impact not only the initial decision to expand and the support of overseas operations, but the subsequent path and pace of international development.Research limitations/implications – While this paper confirms the pivotal role of the owner manager in the international decision‐making of retail SMEs, it is recommended that future research examines the role of management characteristics in SMEs based in other industries.Practical implications – The ...

Retail financial services: transaction to relationship marketing

Presents the findings of a survey carried out among the financial directors of leading retail companies in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and the UK. The purpose of the survey was to determine those factors that influence the development of financial services within retail organisations. Considers the introduction of financial services, within the context of retailers’ relationships with their customers, and retailers’ ability to build closer relationships with existing and potential customers. Financial service provision is, therefore, considered in the context of the relationship marketing paradigm. Considers the opportunities which financial services provide for retailers to move from a transactional to relationship approach to marketing.

SME retailer internationalisation: case study evidence from British retailers

Purpose – The internationalisation of large multinational retailers is well documented and much research attention has been given to their motives and strategies for expansion. Yet, no research in this field has specifically addressed the internationalisation of small‐ to medium‐sized companies (SMEs) operating in the retail industry. The theoretical insights from the literature revealed important gaps in extant research, which relate to the barriers, stimulants, drivers, facilitators, process, and market entry strategy of retail SME internationalisation.Design/methodology/approach – This paper aims to fill these gaps. Since the intention of this study was not to describe, but rather to build theory from an unexplored area of research, an in‐depth case approach was deemed most appropriate. Therefore, the paper presents the findings from a number of case studies of SME retail internationalisation operating from the UK.Findings – Key findings from this study not only confirm that smaller British retailers h...