Study On The Evolution And Innovation Of Retail Industry In The Circumstance Of Industry Convergence

Since the1970s of last century, the rapid of development of information technology, as represented by the emergence of internet, has laid technological foundation for modern industry integration. Particularly, the recent decade has witnessed the penetration of information industry into other industries. For instance, the integration of telecommunication network, radio network and internet has promoted the integration of three related industries. As the bridge linking between the first, second and third industry as well as consumers, retail industry is endowed with close ties with other industries. Many researchers view these closes ties as dependence relationships, that is, retailing is affiliated industry of manufacturing. The thriving of retailing highly relies on that of manufacturing. This fact, however, constrains the depth and breadth of retailing development. On the other hand, the development of industry highly relies on the advancement of technology, which further promotes industry integration. Against this background, retailing exceeds traditional boundaries and evolves into new industry mode-internet retailingTaking the new perspective of industry integration, this dissertation focuses on the history of evolution and innovation of retailing in the setting of industry integration. I further explore the mechanism and mode of modern retailing by analyzing specific cases. I also discuss the integration of retailing with agriculture, manufacturing and service industry. In particular, I focus on the typical mode of retailing innovation-internet retailing. Finally, I propose policy suggestions and recommendations on promoting retailing integration in China.The dissertation consists of seven chapters, and each chapter proceeds as follows:Chapter one is introduction. This chapter explains research background and significance and identifies the definitions on retail and retailing. I also differentiate the definitions such as industry integration, vertical integration and horizontal integration. In the end, research outline, methodology, structure, and contributions as well as limitations are put forward.Chapter two focuses on literature review and theoretical foundation. The chapter reviewed both overseas and domestic research on retailing evolution and innovation. The theoretical foundations are also identified, including industry integration theory, competitiveness theory, industry innovation theory and supply chain integration theory.Chapter three discusses the impact of industry integration on traditional industries. Industry integration allows the breakup of traditional industry boundaries and the emergence of integrated industries in the form of cross integration, extended integration, restructured integration as well as penetrated integration. Industry integration promotes industry innovation and optimization of industry structure, and it also solicits new demands for industry regulation. In addition, industry integration exerts huge impact on enterprises, promoting the organizational structure transformation from hierarchy to network, changing business competition mode, accelerating mergers and acquisitions, and ultimately affecting market performance.Chapter four examines innovations and evolutions of retailing industry. Based on foregoing analysis, the evolution of retailing is divided into traditional evolution and evolutionary innovations. I mainly focus on retailing development in the background of industry integration, which lays out the foundation for following analysis.Chapter five is about the innovations of retailing in the background of industry integration. This chapter is the core among all. I focus on case studies of strategic alliance of supply chains, the combination of retailing and agriculture, retailing and manufacturing featured by dynamic alliance of supply chain and self-created brand, retailing and other service industries featured by shopping center.Chapter six examines the typical innovative retailing mode-internet retailing. This paper first reviews related literature on internet retailing and examines related case studies. I summarize retailing models and retailing characteristics of internet retailing. I point out its impact on economy and society, especially the shock to on-site retailing. Chapter seven discusses impeding factors and solutions to retailing evolution and innovations, including establishing circulation-oriented idea, identifying the effect of integration, adjusting operating strategies and creating beneficial institutional environment.Overall, innovations of this paper are as follows:First, I examine the issue of retailing innovation and evolution in the setting of industry integration, and put forward the directions and modes of retailing development. The development of any industry is a dynamic process, which evolves as the development of economy and industry, so does retailing industry.Second, I analyze the mechanism underlying the integration of retailing and other industries. The changes in consumption demand stimulate the association between retailing and other industries. Industry affiliation promotes the emergence and development of retailing synergy. Based on current research, this paper combs through the relationship between industry integration and retailing development. I further propose four modes of retailing integration:the extension and integration of retailing and other industries, the penetration of hi-tech industry into retailing and cross-integrations within retailing industry.Third, I employ matured case analysis to study retailing integration development in China. The results suggest that integration is an effective approach to improve market performance of retailing enterprises.Fourth, I put forward the suggestions and recommendations on integrated retailing development in China. Currently, there are all sorts of problems existing in retailing development in China. For instance, people either take a skeptical attitude towards its prospects or take an overly optimistic view and underestimate potential risks in the process of unplanned expansion. On the other hand, lack of cooperation with suppliers, and lagged information development also impede retailing industry. Finally, imperfect institutional arrangements, such as unreasonable policy-making, unsound legislation and the missing of social integrity, also jeopardize integrated retailing development. Therefore, this paper suggests that we need to renew our understanding on industry integration; retailing enterprises must adjust operating strategies, strengthen cooperation with suppliers and enhance the level of digitalization and ultimately increase competitiveness. In addition, government must guide retailing integration development, improve regulations on industry guidance and create a healthy institutional environment for retailing integration.