Geography

From mail order to e-commerce: Competition, regulation, and politics of nonstore retailing in germany

Document Type

Article

Abstract

In this article we analyze the evolution of nonstore retailing in Germany. We examine the foundations of German e-commerce with a history of mail-order retailing, and analyze how its distinct regulatory environment and continuity in consumer practices affected the way in which e-commerce developed in Germany. In particular, regulations and the politics of retail trade in Germany played a role in shaping competition between the storefront and nonstore sectors. This study builds upon the analysis for Japan and the United States already conducted elsewhere, and shows how e-commerce evolved as an extension of the longstanding tradition of nonstore retailing and the competitive strength the sector developed vis-à-vis the storefront sector. © 2004 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Publication Title

Urban Geography

Publication Date

9-1-2004

Volume

25

Issue

6

First Page

503

Last Page

527

ISSN

0272-3638

DOI

10.2747/0272-3638.25.6.503

Keywords

B-to-C e-commerce, Germany, nonstore retailing

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