Internationalization of retailing operations

Abstract

International retail operations may be defined as the operation, by a firm or alliance, of shops, or other forms of retail distribution, in more than one country. Such operations have an extensive history. Motives for retailers to operate internationally are considered. Theoretical explanations have not been well developed but a potentially useful framework exists with the transaction cost paradigm. International operations may be achieved within several different organizational structures with some firms adopting different approaches for different markets. The empirical evidence of international retail activity lacks a sound survey base but some tentative generalities are drawn.