There are two main theories of retailing described in the document: cyclical theories and evolutionary theories. Cyclical theories include the wheel of retailing theory and accordion theory, which propose that retail formats cycle between different stages. Evolutionary theories include the dialectic process theory and natural selection theory, which propose that retail formats evolve and adapt through competition and environmental changes, with the formats best able to adapt being most likely to survive. The document also describes the retail life cycle theory, in which retail organizations pass through stages of innovation, growth, maturity, and decline.

1. KRITIKA KUMAR
Theories of Retailing

2. Theories of Retailing
Cyclical Theories
Wheel of Retailing
Accordian Theory
Evolutionary Theories
Dialectic Process
Natural Selection

3. Cyclical Theories
Wheel of Retailing
Stage 1:Low Price, Low Service, limited product
offerings.
Stage 2: Improve merchandise offering, better
service, higher prices
Stage 3: Conservatism, declining ROI, increased
competition

4. Wheel of Retailing

5. Cyclical Theories
Accordion Theory
Evolution of retail institutions from general, broad-
based outlets with wide assortments, to narrow-
based institutions carrying specialised assortments,
and back to general, broad-based assortments.
Synonymous with general-specific-general theory.

6. Evolutionary Theories
Dialectic Process
Retailers mutually adapt in the face of competition
from “opposites”.
When challenged by a competitor with a differential
advantage, the established retailer will adopt
strategies and tactics in the direction of that
advantage (making the innovator less attractive)

7. Dialectic Process

8. Evolutionary Theories
Natural Selection
Retailing institutions that can most effectively adapt
to environmental changes are the ones most likely to
prosper or survive.
Environmental need for a certain kind of retailing
institution it will evolve→
Need ceases to exist the institution will tend to→
disappear
Institutions that most effectively adapt to
environmental changes are most likely to survive

9. Retail Life Cycle
Retail organizations pass through identifiable stages of
innovation, development, maturity and decline.
Stages of Retail Life Cycle:
Innovation
Accelerated Growth
Maturity
Decline

10. Innovation
Differentiated services, product and format.
Few competitors
Rapid growth
Moderate profit
Accelerated Growth
Increase in sales
Emergence of competitors
Organization try to attain leadership
Higher investment
Cost pressure

11. Maturity
Increased competition
Decrease in growth rate
Repositioning: strategy, format & merchandise mix
Decline
Loses Competitive edge
Negative rate of growth
Profitability decline
Cost run higher

12. Retail Life Cycle