The Evolution of National Retail Chains: How We Got Here

摘要: The growth and dominance of large, national chains is a ubiquitous feature the US retail sector. recent literature has documented rise these contribution this structural change to productivity in trade Recent studies have also shown that establishments are both more productive stable than single-unit firms they displacing. We build on by following paths from 1977 2007 using establishment- firm-level data Census Retail Trade Longitudinal Business Database. dissect shift towards several margins. explore differences entry exit as well job creation destruction patterns at establishment firm level. find over period there consistently high rates firms, but net much higher for firms. Underlying difference far lower chains. Thus, story increased not so due declining rate new rather greater stability belonging relative their counterparts. Given increasing dominant role chains, we success including an analysis four key industries trade. dramatically different across industries. In General Merchandise, dominated slow gradual into chain status. contrast, Apparel, which become years, quickly became play role.