TABLE OF CONTENTS

Volume 5, Issue 1, Winter 2006
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The Model for the Evolution of Retail Institution Types in South Korea

Sook-Hyun Kim (Contact person)
55 Lower college road, Suite 3
Department of Textiles, Fashion Merchandising & Design
College of Human Science & Services
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI 02881
Email: kimsh@mail.uri.edu
Office: 401-874-2881

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to examine the evolution of retail institution types in South Korea and to build a model, which more fully explains retail evolution, by overcoming existing problems in the previous retail evolution theories. A qualitative research design with a constant comparative method was employed in this study in order to analyze the retail industry data collected in South Korea. The Combined Retail Evolution Model was proposed by synthesizing previous retail evolution theories, which are commonly recognized as the primary theories. Based on the Combined Retail Evolution Model, three retail institution types in South Korea were selected and analyzed for retail evolution. The result of the analysis is the Final Combined Retail Evolution Model.

KEYWORDS: Retail evolution, Retail Institution, Combined Retail Evolution Model

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This paper reports the results of brand loyalty of 280 university students, aged from 18 to 24 years old. This study explores brand loyalty behavior on sportswear and examines key brand loyalty factors: brand name, product quality, price, style, store environment, promotion, and service quality. Consumers are classified into two categories by their degree on brand loyalty: hard-core loyal consumers and brand switchers. The study concludes that brand name, style, and promotion are the key brand factors which can distinguish hard-core loyal consumers and brand switchers. Brand name and style have more influence on the brand loyalty of hard-core loyal consumers, while promotion influences more on that of brand switchers. Product quality is perceived by both groups as the most important factor affecting their brand loyalty.

KEYWORDS: Brand loyalty, hard-core loyalty, brand switching, sportswear market

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In the apparel industry, 3D body scan systems have been attractive to apparel CAD/CAM companies, apparel companies, and researchers in that the body scan systems can provide fast and accurate enabling the development of made-to-measure garments. Apparel CAD/CAM companies have partnered with body scanner manufacturers and linked the body scan system with their existing apparel CAD products for made-to-measure solutions. As more companies increase globalization and partnership with new technology suppliers, the CAD/CAM data compatibility and standard data formats have been critical issues. For this reason, XML (eXtensible Markup Language) has been considered for the standard exchange data format in that XML has extensibility, structure, mega data transport capabilities, and easy conversion. In fact, the XML has already been implemented in apparel companies who are dealing with e-business, globalization, and standardization. For example, the use of XML for standardization was found in the global standard organization for apparel business, and attempts at standardization of 2D and 3D body measurement representation with XML was found in e-T Cluster in U.K. In addition, the importance of XML for the future apparel pattern data exchange format has been in development the ASTM D13.66 sub committee: Apparel & Sewn Products Automation.

The purpose of this study was 1) to introduce XML format for pattern data exchange, 2) to provide an experimental design written in XML for bi-directional transmission of data from a 3D body scan system to an apparel CAD system, and 3) to investigate the potential use of XML for standardizing pattern data format between apparel CAD systems and 3D body scan systems by examination of the experimental design written in XML format. The experimental design in XML format was sent to an apparel CAD supplier (Gerber Technology Inc.) and a body scan supplier ([TC]²) to determine if it would be a viable standard format. In this study, current data file formats for data exchange and use of XML format were reviewed, and limitations of using the XML format were revealed in that the acceptance of the XML format was tightly related to timely agreements in the apparel industry.

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Deepti Gupta, Indian Institute of Technology, India.
Naveen Garg, Indian Institute of Technology, India.
Komal Arora and Neha Priyadarshini, Indian Institute of Technology, India.

ABSTRACT

The process of developing body size charts for a given population is a highly complex one as too many variables are involved. The requirements are often contradictory as in trying to provide the best fit using a minimum number of sizes. With the availability of advanced mathematical tools it is now possible to address the issue as an optimization problem. In the present study, an algorithm based on the Linear Programming approach has been developed specifically to cluster a given population data into homogenous body size groups. The theoretical efficiency of the approach has been demonstrated on an anthropometric database of 2000 young Indian women. The mathematical tool developed is flexible enough to be adapted for use for mass production as well as mass customization of garments. It is extremely versatile in that garment specific size tables can be developed. The degree of fit desired at each body dimension as well as the body dimensions used as the basis of clustering can be changed with ease. It is also a great tool for inventory management as it gives exactly the number of people covered by each cluster thus giving the manufacturer and retailer the choice of deciding how many pieces to make in each style and in what sizes.

KEYWORDS: Body measurements, CAD, Garment Fit, Garment sizing, Linear programming, Optimization.

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Mass Customization has become a key issue for many industries with the computer industry leading the most others. In the apparel industry the topic has been discussed extensively, and a few companies like IC3D.com or Made4Me.com have taken on the challenge of implementing it. However, to date most of the intentions and activities origin in areas of technology. Unanswered remains the question of cost efficiency. Target Costing provides the theoretical basis to address this issue. The following paper analyzes the cost of mass customization with the help of the target costing approach.

KEYWORDS: Mass Customization, Target Costing, Strategic Analysis

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Spider Silk - Structure, Properties and Spinning

D. Saravanan
Senior Lecturer, Department of Textile Technology
Bannari Amman Institute of Technology
Sathyamangalam 638401, India
Ph: 04295 221289, Fax: 04292 223775
Mail id: dhapathe2001@rediffmail.com

ABSTRACT

Many of the natural fibers offer excellent properties suitable for various applications in apparel and non-apparel areas. Spider silk is a filamentous natural protein fiber produced by the spiders. Dragline silk produced by the spider offers superior properties than many of the natural and synthetic fibers. The natural spinning process, chemical composition, structure and properties of spider silk had remained mystery for a long time. Systematic attempts made in the biological aspects, structure of the silk proteins have become fruitful in spinning and regenerating this wonder fiber.

KEYWORDS: Dragline, Major Ampullate, Nephila, Interphase, Beta sheet

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