Korean Customer Attitudes Towards Retail Regulations

Purpose – This study is to identify how the retail regulations influence customer shopping behaviours and furthermore, whether they really protect independent retailers as well as traditional markets, in Korea. Research design, data, and methodology – By adopting frequency analysis and factor analysis method, the research achieved research objectives. Before a field survey, the authors pre-tested the questionnaire developed, based on similar previous articles, and finalized. Amongst the 353 questionnaires distributed, 332 were returned. It means the response rate 94.5%. Furthermore, available questionnaires are 330. Results – As expected, this research found that the retail regulations have nothing to do with the protection and revitalization of mom and pops as well as conventional markets, although some customers visit them when large stores close their shops. Rather than positive impacts on a retailing sector, this code which the government regulates large stores to close their shops twice a month has given rise to negative effects. Conclusions – In order to keep independent retailers and public markets, the researchers suggest that the government introduces new techniques without discouraging customers to shop.