University of Washington
Geography 350
Internationalization of Retailing



We can view contemporary retailing as "bringing the world to consumers." 
What are the methods and the implications of Western retailers' bringing the world to consumers in countries where many of the products are made -- their expansion into Japan, Korea, China, and SE Asia?


Use the Wang reading to answer this question:
How does
(a) national (e.g., in China) and local regulation of the location, competition, and owenership of retailing affect
(b) the concentration, location, operation, and success of foreign-owned retailiers?

For example, how does government regulation vary across China?  What effect has that had on the actions of international retailers?


In class:  What are the "Push factors" vs. "Pull factors" that have drawn Western retailers into new national markets?


Wang suggests two key dimesions of success for a retailer: 
  • market penetration and
  • financial performance. 
  1. How are they related? 
  2. How does he relate these two dimensions to develop four stages of retail companies' international expansion?

In class:  What are some strategic differences in the international expansion practices of Western vs. Japanese vs. SE Asian retailers?




copyright James W. Harrington
revised 21 March 2011