Dual Channel Pricing of Large Fresh Chain Stores Considering Distribution Costs under Split Quotation

After large fresh food chain stores have opened online channels, distribution costs are a key factor affecting consumers' online buying behavior, which affects dual-channel pricing. This paper studies the dual-channel pricing strategy of large fresh food chain stores on the premise of dividing the quotation, considering the consumer's acceptance of online channels and the sensitivity to distribution costs. The research found that the optimal pricing of online channels is lower than that of retail channels. The optimal pricing of online channels is positively correlated with the acceptance of online channels, and negatively correlated with the sensitivity of consumer distribution costs. Moreover, after retailers have opened online channels, the market scale has expanded compared with traditional retail channels. Finally, numerical experiments are used to analyze the influence of various influencing factors on retailers' decision-making.

Should the Same Products Consumed in Different Retail Channels Have an Identical Carbon Footprint? An Environmental Assessment of Consumer Preference of Retail Channels and Mode of Transport

This study involved an environmental assessment of retail channels using the simplified life-cycle assessment (LCA) method to quantify the environmental impact of packaged beverages consumed in 7-Eleven convenience stores (c-stores) and Carrefour hypermarkets, with the aim of offering shoppers more environmentally friendly chain stores. The life-cycle impact assessment (LCIA) of packaged drinks at the point of sale (POS) shows the environmental impact of (1) consumer transportation mode and (2) truck distribution. A comparative analysis was conducted on the consumption of 1800 cartons of packaged beverages in c-stores compared to hypermarket channels replenished by individual distribution systems. The paired t-test was used to assess the impact of the consumption of 1800 boxes of 24 packs of 10-ounce drinks. The significance level of the beverages consumed in Carrefour and 7-Eleven c-stores differed by 0.1. The logistics-focused LCA explained the environmental and business rationale for replenishment and sustainable customer transportation. We conclude that, due to consumer preference for retail channels and mode of transport, the carbon footprint for the same products consumed in different channels should not be identical. The research demonstrated a tool to convey more environmental profiles of transportation mode selection to consumers and contribute to building sustainable communities.

Does Social Media Marketing and Brand Community Play the Role in Building a Sustainable Digital Business Strategy?

This study investigates the effects of customer relationships on a brand’s social network website (BSN) for virtual and physical retail channels in the digital business environment. The authors also further explore the sustainable customer relationships with virtual and physical retail channels (i.e., consumer–community identification, CCI; and consumer–retailer love, C-R Love) and customer attitudinal/behavioral loyalty toward a retailer (re-purchase and word of mouth, WOM). The authors develop a framework to describe and examine the connections among customer relationships for BSN, CCI, C-R Love, and user loyalty for a retailer. Furthermore, it tests the mediating effects of virtual (i.e., CCI) and physical (i.e., C-R Love) channels on the correlation between BSN relationships and customer loyalty. The model and hypotheses in this study employ structural equation modeling with survey data. The study shows that partial customer relationships in BSNs directly or indirectly influence CCI and C-R Love, and both CCI and C-R Love positively influence re-purchase intentions and WOM communications. This study contributes a unique model for a process by which the customer relationships in BSNs can affect a sustainable retail loyalty through the virtual/physical channels. This finding can be viewed as pioneering and as setting a benchmark for future research.