Abstract

Purpose - This study used empirical methods to investigate the consciousness structure of vendors in the S marketing area, which is a commercial revitalization district in the country, and examined its effect on their business activities. Based on the results derived through the performance of an actual proof analysis, this study aims to facilitate the promotion of changes in the consciousness structures of traditional market vendors, with a view to allowing them to adapt to the current economic realities in the country. Further, this study aims to provide suggestions that would improve the efficiency of the commercial revitalization program of the government. Research design, data, and methodology - This study examined all the stores in the S marketing area using a questionnaire survey conducted over three weeks beginning on July 4, 2012, and involved the performance of a data analysis on 1,859 samples. The questionnaire consisted of two parts. The first part addressed the market revitalization and the second part addressed the store management strategies. Questionnaire responses were calibrated based on a Likert scale. Statistical analysis was conducted using PASW version 18.0. Results - The results of the analysis of the consciousness structure of merchants in the S marketing area have led to the discovery that they have a medium level of satisfaction with market revitalization. There was a difference in the perceptions of the concept of store management between merchants and customers. Merchants have poor strategies for store management, which do not go much beyond an imitation of the practices of large domestic discount stores. Conclusions - The appearance of big discount stores and the accompanying changes in people's consumption patterns have led to a decline in local market areas. The government has sought new ways to secure autogenic power for local markets. To create regional economies, the government enacted a revised "Law for creating traditional markets and shopping streets" in 2010 and introduced a commercial district revitalization program. This program, which originally supported only the S marketing area, has subsequently expanded into neighboring shopping districts so that the whole of the regional market can be revitalized. However, since the revitalization of the traditional market and the government support required for it were mostly limited to facilities, the result has not proved to be effective. Although there are several reasons why the government investment was characterized by poor efficiency, traditional market vendors' consciousness structure, which did not adapt well to the vagaries of time and its consequent changes, was a major cause. Only when vendors have a true merchant spirit can they have a real service focus that will enable them to clearly understand the distribution organization. This will have the effect of bring about complete customer satisfaction and will ensure the survival and development of traditional markets.