Publications

2007
Working Paper

Retail Market Structure and Dynamics: A Three Country Comparison of Japan, the U.K. and the U.S.

By: Jonathan Haskel, Ron S. Jarmin, Kazuyuki Motohashi and Raffaella Sadun

This paper compares structure and dynamics of the Retail Trade Sectors in Japan, the U.K. and the U.S. This is done using confidential establishment and firm level data for each country. By using micro data we are able to perform much more detailed comparisons than... View Details

Keywords: Industry Structures; Market Entry and Exit; Jobs and Positions; Size; Performance Productivity; Japan; United Kingdom; United States

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March 2019
Technical Note

Control or Flexibility? Structured Empowerment Offers Both—Lessons from Retail & Service Chains (Abridged)

By: Tatiana Sandino

This note explains how several retail and service organizations use a practice described here as “structured empowerment” to balance control and flexibility as they grow. I define structured empowerment as a practice that grants employees both (a) the power to make... View Details

Keywords: Service Operations; Standards; Employees; Service Delivery; Decision Making; Power and Influence; Retail Industry; Retail Industry

July 2023 (Revised April 2024)
Case

Zurich Insurance (A): Re-establishing a Leading Market Position in Retail

By: Ramon Casadesus-Masanell, Stefano Brusoni, Claudio Feser, Karolin Frankenberger and Ana Procopio Schoen

fall 2007
Article

Store Manager Incentive Design and Retail Performance: An Exploratory Investigation

By: Nicole DeHoratius and Ananth Raman

Keywords: Motivation and Incentives; Management; Design; Performance; Information

1999
Working Paper

Marshall Field, 1834-1906: The Retail Brand as a Customer Experience

By: Nancy F. Koehn

September 1990 (Revised July 1992)
Case

May Department Stores Co.: David Farrell's Search for Retailing Excellence

21 Jun 2022
News

Asian Grocery Retailers Hit Hard by Import Costs and Delays

February 1987 (Revised July 1987)
Case

Sears, Roebuck and Co. and the Retail Financial Services Industry (A)

31 Aug 2023
News

Legendary Retail CEO Hubert Joly’s Playbook for Navigating the Culture Wars

19 Mar 2024

The Value of an MBA in Manufacturing, Consumer Products, and Retail

Attention to all young professionals shaping the future in manufacturing, consumer products, or retail: whether you're already excelling in these vibrant sectors or aiming to carve your path, we extend an invitation to join a panel of HBS students and alumni who share... View Details

16 Feb 2023

The Value of an MBA in Manufacturing, Consumer Products, and Retail

Have you ever wondered what an MBA could do to help you accomplish your personal and professional goals? Join us to hear more about why an MBA degree can be of value to students interested in working in Manufacturing, Consumer Products, and Retail prior to their... View Details

March 2018 (Revised March 2019)
Technical Note

Control or Flexibility? Structured Empowerment Offers Both — Lessons from Retail & Service Chains

By: Tatiana Sandino

This note explains how several retail and service organizations use a practice described here as “structured empowerment” to balance control and flexibility as they grow. I define structured empowerment as a practice that grants employees both (a) the power to make... View Details

Keywords: Service Operations; Standards; Employees; Service Delivery; Decision Making; Power and Influence; Retail Industry; Retail Industry

February 2019 (Revised September 2019)
Case

Amazon in Fashion

By: John R. Wells, Benjamin Weinstock and Gabriel Ellsworth

According to many analysts and industry observers, in 2018 Amazon became the largest retailer of apparel in the United States and the second largest in the world, behind Alibaba. Much of Amazon’s apparel was made by third-party retailers on its platform, but Amazon had... View Details