Food retailing in developing economies: Review of empirical insights and new directions

Food retailing in developing economies has undergone significant transformations over the past three decades. Progressing in three waves across regions like Latin America, Asia, Africa, and beyond, food retailers have transitioned from traditional open markets to modern supermarkets akin to those in more developed economies. In this article, we provide an overview of the structure of food retailing in developing economies and examine the empirical literature that delves into the reasons behind the evolution of retailers in developing countries worldwide, as well as their impact on suppliers and consumers. We propose avenues for future research, building upon an empirical framework that recognizes the consumer-driven nature of retail evolution and how the structure of retailing develops as an equilibrium outcome within a dynamic, imperfectly competitive environment. In conclusion, we identify significant gaps in the existing empirical literature and shed light on emerging questions that are likely to gain importance in the future. [EconLit Citations: D43, L13, M31].

Automated summary

This article provides an overview of the structural changes in food retailing in developing economies, and examines the reasons behind the evolution of retailers as well as their impact on suppliers and consumers. The article proposes avenues for future research and highlights significant gaps in the existing empirical literature.