This paper investigates competition between chain-stores and independents in the UK opticians' industry, using the relationship between the number of outlets present in a local market and the market size. Chain-stores are shown to have a significant effect on local market competition. In...

This paper analyzes the structure of retail markets by highlighting the differential pattern exhibited across local markets by two different types of firm organization: chain stores versus stand-alone stores. Data from retail alcoholic beverage industry in California suggest that the number of...

The paper addressed a situation of how a retail chain consisting of suppliers, agents, and distributors transformed while the costs of transactions increased. When the costs increased, the orders and deliveries between relevant interest groups resulted in the formation of the most costs’...