mary wilcox - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Related Authors
Uploads
Papers by mary wilcox
Superquinn is one of Ireland's most successful indigenous retailers operating in an intensely com... more Superquinn is one of Ireland's most successful indigenous retailers operating in an intensely competitive grocery market. Despite the arrival of large overseas retailers and an increased level of acquisition and alliance activity, it has survived and thrived. The company attributes its success to its innovation strategy. The practice of innovation now permeates all facets and functions of the Irish grocery sector and consequently is a prerequisite for maintaining competitive advantage and ensuring business success. This paper illustrates many Superquinn innovations, and relates its strategy to themes within innovation literature. Based on an in-depth interview with its managing director, Feargal Quinn, it provides insights into the philosophy that underpins an innovative retail culture and illustrates the conception and implementation of innovative practice.
Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 2001
In Dublin city competition within the retail sector is intensifying and city-centre department st... more In Dublin city competition within the retail sector is intensifying and city-centre department stores, in common with other traders, face many challenges. Indigenous retailers must contend not only with each other, but also with an on-going invasion of international retailers who have been attracted by Ireland's booming economy. UK multiples have made major in-roads into Dublin's retail scene and the city centre's latest shopping mall, The Jervis Centre, is so dominated by UK retailers that it has been christened 'Little Britain' In the past fifty years, many of Dublin's once dominant department stores have succumbed to the vagaries of retailing. Now, only three traditional Irish department stores continue to trade. These stores, sometimes referred to as dinosaurs, have managed to survive as the wheel of retailing continues its relentless revolutions. In every direction, new or expanded or refurbished shopping centres and shops are in the process of completion in the city centre, in satellite towns and outer suburbs. By the close of 1997 nearly two million sq. ft. of shopping space will have been built in the capital -the biggest investment in retailing for over ten years. Dublin's unique 18th century streetscape now provides a backdrop for what has become a recognised cosmopolitan shopping city. The concentrated arrival of British multiples has brought tangible benefits to consumers via greater choice. However, the internationalisation of Dublin's retail scene has led to fears that indigenous Irish companies will be washed away by major UK multiples with greater financial power. While rumours of the demise of Dublin's remaining stand-alone Department stores are constant and obviously exaggerated, undoubtedly these stores have faced difficult times. This paper considers the strategic response of Dublin's traditional department stores to intensifying competition and provides an insight into the strategic thinking of Irish department store managers.
Superquinn is one of Ireland's most successful indigenous retailers operating in an intensely com... more Superquinn is one of Ireland's most successful indigenous retailers operating in an intensely competitive grocery market. Despite the arrival of large overseas retailers and an increased level of acquisition and alliance activity, it has survived and thrived. The company attributes its success to its innovation strategy. The practice of innovation now permeates all facets and functions of the Irish grocery sector and consequently is a prerequisite for maintaining competitive advantage and ensuring business success. This paper illustrates many Superquinn innovations, and relates its strategy to themes within innovation literature. Based on an in-depth interview with its managing director, Feargal Quinn, it provides insights into the philosophy that underpins an innovative retail culture and illustrates the conception and implementation of innovative practice.
Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 2001
In Dublin city competition within the retail sector is intensifying and city-centre department st... more In Dublin city competition within the retail sector is intensifying and city-centre department stores, in common with other traders, face many challenges. Indigenous retailers must contend not only with each other, but also with an on-going invasion of international retailers who have been attracted by Ireland's booming economy. UK multiples have made major in-roads into Dublin's retail scene and the city centre's latest shopping mall, The Jervis Centre, is so dominated by UK retailers that it has been christened 'Little Britain' In the past fifty years, many of Dublin's once dominant department stores have succumbed to the vagaries of retailing. Now, only three traditional Irish department stores continue to trade. These stores, sometimes referred to as dinosaurs, have managed to survive as the wheel of retailing continues its relentless revolutions. In every direction, new or expanded or refurbished shopping centres and shops are in the process of completion in the city centre, in satellite towns and outer suburbs. By the close of 1997 nearly two million sq. ft. of shopping space will have been built in the capital -the biggest investment in retailing for over ten years. Dublin's unique 18th century streetscape now provides a backdrop for what has become a recognised cosmopolitan shopping city. The concentrated arrival of British multiples has brought tangible benefits to consumers via greater choice. However, the internationalisation of Dublin's retail scene has led to fears that indigenous Irish companies will be washed away by major UK multiples with greater financial power. While rumours of the demise of Dublin's remaining stand-alone Department stores are constant and obviously exaggerated, undoubtedly these stores have faced difficult times. This paper considers the strategic response of Dublin's traditional department stores to intensifying competition and provides an insight into the strategic thinking of Irish department store managers.