The globalization of American retail

Worldwide expansion has been facilitated by the technology perfected by retailers during recent years. Recognizing the opportunities for growth offered by overseas markets, many American, low-margin retailers will expand globally. American retailers should explore their options in order to determine whether they should enter a country organically, or through a joint venture, franchising, or licensing. Opportunities generally differ by country. American retailers are masters at distributing merchandise quickly and efficiently. Most mass merchants will initially be dependent on local, more cumbersom distribution systems and warehouses than they are accustomed to, but most will quickly establish their own beachhead in order to have efficient logistics. Twelve guidelines that a company should consider in preparing to go global include: 1. planning ahead, 2. meeting with government officials to learn more about a company's potential, and 3. assessing the stability of the currency.