Challenges faced by entrepreneurs in a developing economy: a study in the retail sector

The concept of entrepreneurship is not new. As a concept it remains elusive, diverse, and multi-faceted. Although there is an extensive body of research within the field, there is little consensus on what underpins entrepreneurship, and whether it should remain a distinct domain of study. This paper contributes to the literature on entrepreneurship in developing economies. The study seeks to uncover the challenges facing entrepreneurs in a developing economy using the formal retail sector in Nigeria as a case. Entrepreneurship in the retail sector of a developing economy has not been given significant attention by researchers despite its uniqueness and dynamism. By adopting a qualitative approach, the lived experiences of these entrepreneurs will be understood. Given the challenges such entrepreneurs face in a developing economy, this study will make a practical contribution, as the challenges such retail entrepreneurs face in this context will be identified.