Exploring key logistics characteristics supporting embeddedness in retailers’ geographical expansion

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore how the logistics organisation and operations support embeddedness in retailers’ geographical expansion. More specifically, this study identifies four key logistics characteristics that are crucial for geographical expansion and describes how each of these supports retailers’ embeddedness related to their geographical expansion. The findings illustrate how the characteristics: Centralised logistics control, Centralised logistics structure, Standardised logistics operations and Continuous learning and improvement, support societal, network and territorial embeddedness related to the geographical expansion of retailers. The paper is empirically grounded in an explorative, qualitative, multiple case study of three Swedish retailers that have geographically expanded their businesses. Company visits and interviews with a variety of informants, ranging from company owners to operational logistics staff, have been conducted.