Business distance and global retailing: a model for analysis of key success/failure factors

Proposes a preliminary model of analysis of the key success and failure factors in retail internationalization. Indicates that a business distance between the domestic and target markets is creating a “prism effect” on the original competitive advantages. Gives the examples of the internationalization of French hypermarket in the USA (failure) and in Asia (success) as illustrations. Outlines future research directions and managerial implications.