bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generics: Passing fad or permanent feature?
Authors: Pieczka Robert M.
Published: February 2008

In 1976 Carrefour introduced “produits libres” in France, and since then the generics concept has spread rapidly. Various ranges have been launched, and they predominantly constitute a third alternative to national brands and own labels, and are neither “unbranded” nor of the low quality often associated with their American counterparts. Critics have been all ready to predict the demise of generics, regarding them as a short term response to the recession and damaging to the retailer's quality image. This article questions these assertions by reference to an empirical study, the results of which are preceded by a review of recent developments within the UK.
Asda at Beckton
Authors: Sharpies Sue
Published: February 2008

In east London at any rate the synonym for superstore must be Asda. Two have recently opened within a few miles of each other in London's Docklands. The store at Beckton is doing a record trade and looks set fair for the future. Sue Sharpies look at the District Centre and Asda's place as a core element in its continued success.
The fight against dishonesty
Authors: Vann John
Published: February 2008

Employers like to feel that their staff are loyal and trustworthy and may therefore overlook the need for insurance against loss incurred through employees' fraud. In the past such practice could be put down mostly to individuals, but these days what the author describes as “the criminal element” is moving in. Fidelity insurance, described here, is one way for the employer to combat such theft.
Nixdorf in Europe
Authors: Sharples Sue
Published: February 2008

The trend towards fewer and larger retail outlets, with the organisation centre often far away from the selling points; the doubling of the number of products sold in the last 10 years; the stagnation in turnover — all these have been the main forces behind the development of electronic data processing (and scanning in particular) in the retail trade. Europe hasn't been as quick off the mark as the USA in establishing itself in the scanning field, but all this is now changing. 1982 was the watershed, with Germany leading the way with 660 scanner PoS terminals in 73 self‐service stores. France comes next with 48 installations, followed by the UK with 42, Belgium with 39, 36 in the Netherlands, and 20 in Sweden. During 1982, too, almost 50% of the total number of systems now in place were installed. And in West Germany at least there's been no let up in 1983, with installations increasing by 71, to 144, and the number of scanner PoS terminals rising by 622, to 1,280. However, it wasn't just the large space users which were responsible for this surge forward: 35 of the 71 new installations were in supermarkets having a maximum of four checkouts. One computer company busy raking in the Deutschmarks, as well as Swiss Francs, pounds sterling, and some Scandinavian currencies, is the German based Nixdorf Computer. At a two‐day conference in Zurich, Axel Hass, Nixdorf's person in charge of sales for trade, restaurants and hotels, pointed out how, having made its name in the banking world from its inception in the 1950s, Nixdorf can now claim to be West Germany's market leader in laser‐scanning PoS systems, with 34% market share (equal to IBM here). Its number of installations worldwide has soared from 500 in 1975 to 14,000 in 1983, and in 1984 Nixdorf is confident this number will reach 25,000. Users now include German department and variety store groups, such as Karstadt, Dyckhoff and Kaufhof, the Spar voluntary chain, co‐ops, and Migros in Switzerland. But so far Nixdorf's push into the UK has been limited to a 50‐terminal system at the Calor Gas organisation, and an order for a non‐scanning system for a Scottish‐based retail chain. However, Nixdorf is obviously keen to make a deeper thrust into the UK and has set up a special group over here. The following two articles are based on papers presented at the Zurich conference. The first is a description of Nixdorf's first scanning exercise, for the German Rewe Group, which serves 7,930 independent outlets through 29 affiliated wholesalers. The second is a quite different and much smaller operation, for Mackay's whose headquarters are in Paisley in the west of Scotland. Nixdorf is providing a non‐scanning system for the company's 140 outlets scattered throughout the UK. Both the above operate out of retail units averaging under 3,000 sq m and demonstrate Nixdorf's flexibility, with its 8812/10 terminal system, to cater for the smaller as well as the larger retailer.
Retailer charitable donations — Can giving money away be made to pay?
Authors: Cowton Christopher , Piercy Nigel
Published: February 2008

The practice of companies donating money and gifts in kind to ‘good works’ or deserving causes is hardly new in the retail sector, but it is one which has received very little public attention in the past. There are significant signs, however, of increasing interest in the matter, and indications that the exercise is becoming more sophisticated. The authors investigate this topic, which though unusual, is clearly a problem for substantial retail companies.
Recent trends in retail employment
Authors: Sparks Leigh
Published: February 2008

Britain is currently undergoing a severe economic recession which has increased the number of registered unemployed to over 3 million. Employment has fallen dramatically, with certain manufacturing industries recording employment declines of over 40 per cent since 1978. This article examines recent trends in retail employment and is based on a more detailed paper on retail employment and the recession presented to the Annual Conference of the Institute of British Geographers in January.
Women managers — A wasted retail resource?
Authors: Ody Penelope
Published: February 2008

Like catering or teaching, retailing is traditionally regarded as “women's work”. As such it suffers from the familiar downgrading of “feminised” industries with low pay, poor status, and few prospects. But, even in retailing, as one moves up the company hierarchy the numbers of women rapidly diminish — the boardrooms are, as elsewhere — strictly a male preserve. Why do so many women never make it beyond the bottom rung of the promotion ladder?
Comparing financial performance
Authors: Chadwick Leslie
Published: February 2008

Some retail companies are so preoccupied with the business of selling that they tend to forget how their own company's performance compares with those of others. In this article Leslie Chadwick looks at four specific ratios — profitability, asset utilisation, liquidity and gearing, in three retail sectors — department stores, High Street traders and Home Improvements and DIY.
Managing new information technology in distribution
Authors: Piercy Nigel
Published: February 2008

Managers in retailing and distribution have been bombarded in recent years with the results of the microelectronic revolution, in terms of the hardware, varying from electronic checkouts to robots in the warehouse, as well as more advanced software to operate the machinery. The underlying effect is an enormous expansion in the capacity of individuals and organisations to process information; and one which at the same time may fundamentally change the way in which companies operate, far more than has ever been the case in earlier periods of technological innovation. The point of this article is not to discuss the technology itself — but rather the opportunities and problems faced in adapting to the technology in distribution. In short, the focus here is on the management of the technology and the growing need for an information technology strategy.
Changes in North American supermarkets
Authors: Rogers David
Published: February 2008

There seems little doubt that the north American supermarket scene is a great deal more colourful and varied than its equivalent in the UK. Acquisitions and mergers are proceeding apace, but more importantly, there is a great deal of diversification in format terms, with the emergence of “membership” warehouse stores, “traditional” warehouse stores, and even the “super” warehouse store — not to mention food‐drug combination stores. David Rogers asserts that in spite of the differences in format, there are considerable similarities in grocery industry trends in North America and the UK, and there is much that we can learn from them.
Europe — retailers fight for market share
Authors: Ody Penelope
Published: February 2008

Managers with insight, flexibility and drive are essential if the future of retailing is going to be anything more than a grim treading water in the years of slow economic recovery ahead. This was the solemn message contained in the keynote speech at the first Retail Europe conference, held in Amsterdam at the end of February. But all was not gloom. The conference brought together leading retailers and equipment suppliers from around Europe to focus on the major technological issues of retailing in the '80s. Other speakers told of successful computer aided energy saving programmes, advice was offered on how to instill confidence in staff nervous about new technology, and pointers were given on how to avoid pitfalls when installing an EPOS system for the first time. RDM was there.
Shopping centre development in West Germany
Authors: Shaw Gareth
Published: February 2008

Post war West Germany was one of the first European countries to develop purpose‐built shopping centres. This long development period has thus given German retailers and planners considerable experience in their construction and adaptation to meet a range of needs. Dr Shaw's paper traces the growth of such centres and also looks at recent innovations which he considers may point the way to possible future developments in Britain.
Retailers' rival strategies for the 1980s
Authors: Sharples Sue
Published: February 2008

In an effort to win back consumer spending that is increasingly being diverted into areas not covered by the retail sector, such as housing, cars, entertainment and holidays, it is imperative that shops develop a clear and winning formula to retrieve the capricious shopper. The task is made harder by the growing competition in the retail sector itself and by the more sophisticated, discerning and demanding nature of today's potential customers. At a one‐day conference, “Retail Strategies for the 1980s”, organised by Mintel Publications and which took place at the Barbican Centre, London, in June, a wide group of retailers gave presentations outlining their strategy options and evaluating their prospects for success. RDM was there.
Snob joins the '80s
Authors: Sharples Sue
Published: February 2008

Snob, the women's fashion chain, was a typical sixties product — brash, crude, with red interiors decked about with Portobello Road pseudo twenties enamel advertisements, and so it had remained. Its failure last year gave a wonderful opportunity for a new managemet to give it a drastic overhaul, and surprisingly perhaps it wasn't snapped up by one of the larger fashion groups. They were pipped to the post by a relative newcomer in the retailing world, the Coutwall group, who are better known for clothes manufacturing. Sue Sharples takes a look at the new owners, charts their journey up the retailing ladder and examines their latest acquisition, which has been redesigned by John Michael Design Consultants.
Fashion retailing — what next?
Authors: Ody Penelope
Published: February 2008

When George Davies started his Next chain of fashion shops over two years ago he may not have realised what a revolution he was putting in train. Based on the realisation that purchasing power had moved from the young to the older 25–45 woman, — “women,” he says, “who care about fashion first and price second,” the Next group by the end of this year will have 162 outlets trading including a handful in Germany. Naturally, he has not been without his imitators. Names like Now, Visuals, Look, Surprise and Principles proliferate; variety chains like BHS and Marks & Spencer have been forced to take a long hard look at their fashion ranges; even the department stores have faced up to a changing scene. In this special feature Penelope Ody makes a close examination of the effervescent fashion sector. And the future? It could be, she hazards, that the over‐50 will be the new flavour of the month.
The retail scene in
Authors: Brown Stephen
Published: February 2008

Although Belfast contains a number of well‐known British retail names, there are still plenty of British multiples who are reluctant to invest in central Belfast. This is partly because of the bombing campaign and the general high risks, and partly because of the scarcity of suitable sites. But it is possible that this situation is going to change, according to Stephen Brown.
Retail change in the inner suburbs
Authors: Parker AJ
Published: February 2008

Within the last six years two planned shopping centres have opened in Rathmines, an older residential area of Dublin. One — the Town Hall Centre — opened in 1978; the other, the Swan Centre, late last year. As a means of studying the changing nature of retailing in the district, two studies were undertaken during 1983 before the Swan Centre opened. This article reports on these two studies and also makes use of a subsequent questionnaire survey of shoppers after the Swan Centre had opened. The author shows that, contrary to popular belief, inner city suburbs have not necessarily been bypassed in terms of retail change.
How Tesco manages the distribution function
Authors: Kirkwood David
Published: February 2008

Tesco's distribution operation exceeds 2 million sq feet of warehousing and employs over 1,500 people. It has a vehicle fleet consisting of 250 commercial vehicles and 600 trailers. The direct cost of this operation exceeds £30m a year and moves a total of 125m cases each year. In this paper David Kirkwood looks at the radical changes in the retail sector which have taken place in the past ten years, and hazards some guesses as to what will happen in the next decade. Against this background he outlines “the Tesco review” — the changes which Tesco found it necessary to make to its distribution operation. David Kirkwood was speaking at a conference entitled “Towards excellence in distribution management”, jointly presented by the Institute of Physical Distribution Management and the Centre for Physical Distribution Management. This is a slightly abridged version of his paper.
Shops within shops: A changing strategy for retailers
Authors: Worthington Steve
Published: February 2008

Concessionaires (shops within shops) have long been a feature of the department store; more recently they have emerged as having a role to play within the superstore retailing concept. In this article Steve Worthington examines the use by two major retailers, Tesco and Debenhams, of concessionaires as a strategic option, to create breathing space for themselves whilst they either restructure or reposition their retail interests.
The Next approach from Hepworths
Authors: Sands David
Published: February 2008

Launched by the same progressive retailer who established Next, which has rapidly become the ‘role model’ for retailing in the eighties, Next for men promises to kindle the same kind of quiet shopping revolution in menswear. David Sands visited the Jenkins Design Group in London to discuss with Bernard Dooling how the assignment was tackled.
Retail research: Some recent studies
Authors: Dawson John A
Published: February 2008

Research into retailing and distribution was relatively slow in taking off, compared with other sectors. Now, however, there is a fair amount of material produced both in America and Europe. The aim of this feature, which it is hoped to repeat periodically, is to bring to the attention of professional management a few of the potentially useful research papers on particular themes. It does not claim to be comprehensive nor is it intended to develop an argument.
DIY outlets: in or out of town?
Authors: Roberts John , Wenden Sarah
Published: February 2008

Do out of town superstores adversely affect traditional shopping centres by siphoning off the higher purchasing power of car‐owning households? The arguments for and against persist, but it appears that retail warehouses, selling bulky, durable goods in out of town locations are generally looked on favourably by planning authorities. As the trend to larger stores seems to have developed an unstoppable momentum, a recent project was set up to find out how accessible edge, or out of town, warehouses are, who uses them, and how they affect conventional shopping centres, particularly those with shops selling comparable merchandise. The following paper presents part of this research. It was carried out by Transport and Environment Studies (TEST), for London Transport in their dual role as public transport operators and as land owners with sites of interest to DIY superstore developers. The paper was presented at PTRC's 12th annual summer meeting in July this year, at the University of Sussex.
The diversity of the UK food market
Authors: Clarke Barrie
Published: February 2008

The story of the marketing of food in the UK is a fascinating one. The growth of the large multiples, the difficulties of retailer/supplier relationships, the development of fresh foods — all these are significant features. In this article, Barrie Clarke pinpoints some interesting new features which are currently emerging: food trade development in which volume growth is no longer the sole overriding objective; unease at the “site auctions” to which major groups must submit themselves; and the realisation on the part of manufacturers that retailers have assumed “creative control” of the marketing process. This is a slightly edited version of a paper originally presented by Barrie Clarke entitled “Future trends in food retailing”, at the School of Agriculture Conference in Aberdeen, which took place late last year.
Market research in retailing
Authors: Rogers David
Published: February 2008

There must be few retailers who at some time or other have not had to confront the “problem” store — the store with sales below expectations for no immediately obvious reason. In this first of a series of articles on the application of market research to retailing, David Rogers discusses how market research techniques can be used effectively to eliminate the problem store.
The ‘Ultimate’ shed
Authors: Sharpies Sue
Published: February 2008

Up till recently out of town retail warehouses have not been noted for their good looks, but this may change if the lead taken by a new electrical retailing venture is followed. ‘Ultimate’, the result of a tie up between Harris Queensway and Debenhams, is one of the first ‘sheds’ to be awarded the distinction of being designed, in the hope that its improved appearance and attention to merchandising will do for this store what they have undoubtedly achieved for the high street shops. Sue Sharpies looks at this new operation and examines the reasons behind its formation.
Protecting your premises from FIRE Retail management's special responsibility
Authors: Haydon Edwin
Published: February 2008

Few retailers appreciate the extent and cost of fires in the retail distribution sector, but some indication can be seen from the fact that each year 30,000 retail businesses are burnt down. The fire risk to retail property is worsening due to ever bigger shops. If you are the victim of a serious fire, the consequences can be horrendous. Enforced closures while shops are rebuilt and moves made to temporary premises inevitably lead to a loss of customers, trade and employees. It may take years for shops to regain their pre‐fire trading levels — some have even been forced out of business. This article outlines what sensible precautions can be taken to reduce fire risk.
Small shops in Ireland
Authors: Parker A.J.
Published: February 2008

In Ireland, the Government's Joint Committee on Small Businesses has recently published a report on the retail and distribution sector. Specific areas of concern receiving attention in the report are food imports and below cost selling. It recognises the importance of small scale businesses in a country where penetration by larger multiples is substantially below the UK level. Indeed the Committee specifically notes the need to maintain the small scale grocery retailer.
How consumers see the packaged grocery markets
Authors: de Chernatony Leslie
Published: February 2008

There is no doubt that retailers' own labels in the packaged grocery markets are posing a threat to the branded sector. But to what degree? The research described here has evolved as part of a long‐term programme to assess consumers' perceptions of the competitive structure of the market. Eighteen interviews indicate that in specified packaged grocery markets, people are able to ascribe different characteristics to branded, own label and generic goods.
Next — now for the interior
Authors: Ody Penelope
Published: February 2008

The achievement of Next in changing the shape of UK high streets, in revolutionising both women's and men's fashion has been remarkable. In August came the launch of Next's latest development — Next Interior, with home decor and furnishings getting the same treatment. Next's chief executive, George Davies, outlined the concept and future plans to Penelope Ody.
Development programmes for retail management
Authors: Davies Ross , Walters David
Published: February 2008

With increased competition and a radically changing retail environment, the quality and effectiveness of managers in retailing is assuming ever greater importance. Management development programmes play a significant part in this, not least at the new Institute of Retail Management at Templeton College, Oxford, where teaching and research programmes specifically oriented to the retail sector are being established. It claims to be the first such educational centre in Britain catering specifically to the post‐experience needs of retailers.
A financial approach to supermarket success
Authors: Norkett Paul
Published: February 2008

Most of the largest UK supermarket chains are very successful; they have strong cash balances and generate large profits. The writer asserts that it is in the areas of strong centralised control over margins, stock levels, cash flow and good lines of communication that supermarket chains have developed highly sophisticated control systems. This article looks at some of the larger supermarket chains in terms of margins and returns, working capital, labour, and the accountant's role in communication and control. It is an abridged version of an article which originally appeared in “Accountancy”, and is reproduced here with their permission.
Multiple grocery retailing in NORTHERN IRELAND
Authors: Brown Stephen , Bell Jim
Published: February 2008

A number of British multiple non‐food retailers are represented in Northern Ireland; they include Marks & Spencer, Boots, C & A, the Burton Group, Olympus Sport, Chelsea Girl and others. However, none of the major British grocery chains trade in the province. Our contributors examine the reasons for this and describe the progress of the four principal Northern Irish food multiples — Stewarts, Crazy Prices, Dunnes Stores and Wellworths.
How Woolworth developed their information strategy
Authors: Casey David
Published: February 2008

Woolworth was financially restructured about two years ago. Following this the board started to implement a new commercial strategy; this required a radical change in the company's information services. Attention was focussed on the operational systems — warehousing, distribution and forecasting, rather than administration and support activities.
Women into management
Authors: Sharples Sue
Published: February 2008

Although retailing employs a large number of women, few reach the levels of middle management and still fewer reach the heady peaks of the upper echelons. Ten years after the implementation of the Sex Discrimination and Equal Opportunities Acts the Co‐operative College is unique in its appreciation of this wastage of talent, and to redress this imbalance a course has been set up, open to women only, to boost their management skills. Sue Sharples talked to Tina Lee, who set the course in motion.
Warehousing in the north‐west
Authors: Glover Tony
Published: February 2008

Traditional investors needed for funding new warehousing schemes are becoming increasingly circumspect about putting cash into new developments. Tony Glover discusses why this funding is becoming scarce and looks at the dwindling supply of industrial warehousing, as a result of these measures. Some alternatives are described: instead of trying to win over the reluctant fund managers, operators who are big enough can, and are, releasing resources for their own design and build.
Second only to Father Christmas?
Authors: Sharples Sue
Published: February 2008

Storing and distributing Argos' toys from the company's recently acquired Welwyn warehouse is being successfully carried out through third party operators. Fulfilling this task are National Carriers Contract Services (NCCS) in conjunction with GKN Chep, wellknown in the field for hiring out materials handling equipment. However, the smooth‐running of the operation can only be assured if certain standards of co‐operation and reliability are met, and here we relate how a confident dependency has been established.
AMERICAN REFLECTIONS
Authors: Rogers David
Published: February 2008

America is still one of the most fertile of countries in terms of its creation of new retail formats. Many of these get exported to Europe — after all, it is to the States that we owe the concepts of self‐service, the discount store, and — more recently — “targetted” or “niche” retailing. Currently there are further interesting ideas on the boil in the States. David Rogers, a retail consultant who lives in America but has a British background, here writes the first of a series of occasional “columns” on some of these developments, and makes comments about possible parallels in the UK.
How effective is your advertising?
Authors: Ody Penelope
Published: February 2008

The development of market segmentation over the past few years means that most retail companies now have a much shrewder idea of the customers they want to reach than they used to have. Unfortunately the media in which the retailers advertise are rarely so clearly targeted. So how effective is retail advertising? In a recent Management Horizons survey, a third of the retailers questioned thought that more than half of their advertising budgets were wasted; some top retailers admitted that their only test of advertising effectiveness was “gut feel”. Retailers have been big spenders on advertising for quite a few years; total retail advertising budgets are now running at around £510m. This could mean an awful lot of wasted money. With this in mind, Management Horizons recently put on a conference on the subject as part of its RIS Seminar programme. Speakers came from Benetton, J. Walter Thompson, Rich's, and Granada.
Debenhams lights up Oxford Street
Authors: Sands David
Published: February 2008

People who have been talking for years, with doom‐laden relish, about the death of the department store should take a trip to London's Oxford Street and take a look at the new Debenhams. Elegant, brilliantly lit, and with a generous approach to the use of space, the new store provides an appropriate backdrop for fashion merchandise which is sharply and colourfully contemporary. If the store doesn't quite have that deeply luxurious, self‐confident feel of the best department stores in Zurich, for example, or Copenhagen, then that in itself reflects the mood of 1980s Britain and the dichotomy of its economy — superficial glitter successfully concealing deeper uncertainties. And whatever happened to the much‐vaunted galleria idea? David Sands reports.
The growth in private brands
Authors: Ody Penelope
Published: February 2008

Private brands currently account for 25% of all retail sales and Management Horizons predicts that by 1990 that figure will have risen to 30%. Private branding is no longer the ‘poor relation’ but a positive aid to increased profits as speakers at a recent conference, argued.
Creating long term strategy for retailing
Authors: Ody Penelope
Published: February 2008

Strategic marketing is something which, until recently, few retailers indulged in or even understood. Now the ability to make far‐reaching strategic decisions on the future development of the business is becoming a realistic proposition, thanks to sophisticated database modelling techniques developed by ICL.
America's shopping centres A mid‐life crisis?
Authors: Rogers David
Published: February 2008

The process of suburbanisation produced the great flowering of the American shopping centre during the 1950s and 60s, although they started even earlier. They evolved into three major types — regional, community, and neighbourhood, and in the 1970s these were augmented by specialty theme, multi‐use, and factory outlets type centres. But US shopping centres are now facing a number of problems: department stores (their principal tenants) are in decline; regional malls are finding difficulty in adapting to new retail conditions; and the malls themselves are becoming very expensive to operate. David Rogers looks at the “mid‐life crisis” of the American shopping centre and makes some comparisons with the situation in the UK.
Financial services: the retailers' role
Authors: Alexander Jessica
Published: February 2008

If there was one sure thing that emerged from a Financial Times conference, held in London in October, on retail financial services, it is that the whole sector is in a state of considerable flux, and faces the need for fundamental change. EFTPoS, debit cards, the role of the building societies, and home shopping were some of the items discussed.
West Edmonton
Authors: Hallsworth Alan
Published: February 2008

West Edmonton Mall, in Alberta, Canada, is frequently thought of as the world's most widely‐known shopping development. By late 1985 it had become the world's largest shopping centre, with 5 million sq ft; and had the largest parking space — 20,000 cars. Alan Hallsworth, who recently visited the Centre, suggests that it may now be at a crossroads. It suffered a roller‐coaster disaster with loss of life in 1986, and legal action is still pending; large numbers of young people, described as “mall rats”, wander around the Mall at weekends; and there are faults in the design. These are his personal impressions.
Retailing in Poland
Authors: Burt Steve , Sparks Leigh
Published: February 2008

Most people have two basic ideas about retailing in eastern European countries — firstly that there are lots of queues, and secondly that if you are privileged there are special shops for you (usually taking hard currency). Beyond this there is little knowledge of what the retail scene really is. These vague perceptions have recently been put to the test by Dr Steve Burt and Dr Leigh Sparks of the University of Stirling, who spent a number of weeks in Poland studying and investigating the organisation and structure of Polish retailing. Their trip was made possible by the generous financial assistance of the British Academy/Polish Academy of Sciences exchange scheme. This paper reports on the findings of their study tour.
Tomorrow's shopper
Authors: Alexander Jessica
Published: February 2008

Hope rather than despair — rosy potential rather than gloomy possibility — was the message that came through from the “Shopping 2000” conference organised jointly by retail property developers Donaldsons and the Henley Centre for Forecasting, and held in London in January. The conference looked at a number of likely scenarios, based on Henley Centre predictions. A lot can happen in twelve years — after all, it was only 10 years or so ago that major retailers were “piling it high and selling it cheap”. Today's changing society is going to bring about corresponding changes — many for the better — in the retail picture.
A tale of two speciality shopping centres
Authors: Worthington Steve
Published: February 2008

One of the features of the current renaissance and rejuvenation of Glasgow, is that it has recently seen the opening of two speciality shopping centres, The Briggait and Princes Square. Speciality shopping is concerned with raising the status of shopping from a chore to a recreation and leisure pursuit and as such the focus of interest lies both in the tenant mix and in the environmental and building features which provide the right ambiance for this style of shopping. This article looks at the criteria for success of speciality shopping centres using as examples The Briggait and the Princes Square developments and considering not only the location, tenant mix and rental policy but also the critical aspects of market research, centre management and first impressions.
ARGYLL
Authors: Ody Penelope
Published: February 2008

Developing a new supermarket these days is expensive. Very expensive. With initial investment in the site alone often as much as £10 million, no company can afford to pick the wrong location. The need to improve siting techniques is the driving force behind Argyll's current investment in an impressive and extensive database, but the Company believes its use will extend far beyond the Store Research Department.
Distribution software: Choosing the right package
Authors: Willmott Adrian
Published: February 2008

This article discusses two main themes: why choose a package approach for distribution software? and — how do you select the right one for your company? The purpose of this paper is to provide an objective way of guiding companies through the jungle of the distribution software market. It is an abridged version of a paper presented to the Warehouse & Distribution Software Conference put on by the National Materials Handling Centre, in London in February.
Fighting retail theft
Authors: Bamfield Joshua
Published: February 2008

The retail theft problem is a massive one — but, argues the writer, to attempt to fight it by total security is not the answer. Making the store into a fortress is not only expensive but quite unsuitable for modern retailing. Appropriate security is the answer, based on three requirements: information and a thorough understanding of the problem; accepting the world as it really is, and not as it ought to be; and cost‐effectiveness — security policies have to be justified by their results on retail profits. Such security may not necessarily require technology. But it has to be based on a thorough understanding of the retailer's security needs and expertise. And the retailer must face up to the distressing fact that the majority of theft is probably committed by staff.
The use of strategy support models
Authors: Sherwood Dennis
Published: February 2008

Computer‐based modelling is something with which many retailers are now familiar, especially simulation modelling, financial modelling, and decision support modelling. The writer argues that these models are largely tools to help solve important, clearly‐defined, operational business problems. But, he says, there is a vast range of broad, complex, “fuzzy” problems which are less operational than strategic. These are the problems which can be tackled by the use of strategy support modelling.
Physical distribution in the retail environment
Authors: Harvey John A
Published: February 2008

With multiples dominating the grocery sector, distribution has become a key factor in achieving both cost and value advantages in a highly competitive environment. John Harvey, speaking at the IGD Convention in Birmingham, takes the view that within three years retailers will have effective control over the grocery supply chain based on over 80% central warehousing and management by information technology.
The store where the customer does the scanning
Authors: Hughes Chris
Published: February 2008

Customer self scanning is a revolutionary experiment that could be the next milestone in the history of shopping, asserts our contributor. The Dutch company Ahold (formerly Albert Heijn) have set up the experiment in their Tilburg supermarket. Customers seem to like it. Chris Hughes went to Tilburg to see how the system is working, along with a number of other technology projects which he describes.
Shopping the electronic way
Authors: Alexander Jessica
Published: February 2008

Teleshopping is attracting increased interest because retailers see it as a way of improving customer services. In France, Minitel has done much to prove the demand and potential for teleshopping La Redoute, France's largest mail order company, started using the Minitel system for teleshopping in the mid‐1980s, and the percentage of orders has built up steadily. These were some of the topics dealt with at a two‐day conference, held in London in January, on the theme of “Electronic Marketing in Retailing.” the conference was organised by Spectra Services.
Store performance reviews:
Authors: Rogers David
Published: February 2008

A formal store performance review is a key element of sound retail management in any business climate, our contributor suggests. However, to be effective, it must be conducted regularly at all stores, should involve all levels of management, and should include the inputs of customers through the conduct of survey research. Most importantly, any problems identified should be acted upon without delay.
Developments in retail software
Authors: Freestone David
Published: February 2008

Two main trends can be distinguished in retail software developments during 1988. After six years of major developments, the number of new packages released for warehouse operations fell by 47% (Table 1). Conversely, the steady production of distribution packages in the early to mid‐1980s almost stopped in 1987, only to be followed in 1988 with the largest number ever released (Table 2). David Freestone looks at the new offerings that were made available during the year
Overhead cost management in retailing
Authors: Landers Brian
Published: February 2008

In the current period of economic pressure, the control of costs is of particular importance. But it is easy to damage the long term viability of the business by making cuts in a haphazard and unstructured way. In this special article Brian Landers outlines the Price Waterhouse approach to overhead cost management.
Retail THEFT
Authors: Elder Alan
Published: February 2008

Most people connected with the retail industry are now well aware that huge sums of money are lost to shop theft, euphemistically covered by the term “shrinkage”, each year. Government reports and articles (eg Bamfield 1988, Burrows 1988) have put forward various estimates of the extent of these losses. The general consensus is that shrinkage accounts for between 1% and 2% of retail turnover each year. But what exactly does this mean? Who is responsible for these losses? Where and why do they occur? And what can retailers do to reduce their losses? These are some of the questions which a recent report, commissioned by Halfords and carried out by Alan Elder of the Institute of Retail Studies, attempted to answer.
Expert Systems: should retailers welcome them?
Authors: Baron Steve
Published: February 2008

This article provides a non‐technical background to expert systems and a critical look at the role of “the computer as an expert”. Benefits and drawbacks to expert systems are outlined, and guidelines for potentially successful application areas are given.
Santispark:
Authors: Smith Bryan
Published: February 2008

The Santispark shopping centre is located in the western suburbs of St Gallen in Switzerland. It was opened in 1987 and has been developed by Migros, the Swiss retail giant. The emphasis is very much on sporting and leisure facilities; our contributor notes that these are in keeping with many of the shopping centre proposals being advocated in Britain.
Mintel Retail Conference report
Authors: Lewis Montague
Published: February 2008

The past few years have seen the emergence of new retail strategies in the marketplace, but do they necessarily cater for the changing nature of the UK shopper? Mintel's 6th annual retail conference, held in June, looked at this theme and in particular asked the question — “Is the customer king?”
M&S performs well at home
Authors: Cox Roger
Published: February 2008

Despite the impact of food contamination scares which affected all food retailers, and high interest rates, Marks & Spencer have still performed well — at least in the UK, with pre‐tax profits up 5.4 per cent to £529 million, and turnover increased from £4.58bn to £5.12bn. But overseas results were patchy. Nonetheless M&S seems determined to expand in Europe, and is believed to have pinpointed Spain as a prime candidate. Also our commentator reports on the John Lewis Partnership and Asda.
Retailer credit cards:
Authors: Worthington Steve
Published: February 2008

The long‐awaited report of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission into the supply of credit card services came out at the end of August. Although its deals primarily with bank credit cards, nonetheless it has important implications for retailer credit cards — for example, will retailers start to charge fees for cards or will they continue to issue them free? This special feature examines in some detail the retailer credit card market in the UK and suggests that retailers would be better served if they saw their credit card offerings as part of their overall retail support service.
Trends in retail lighting
Authors: Smith Wendy
Published: February 2008

Lighting is a highly sophisticated and powerful industry with an increasing number of manufacturers and design consultants. Yet many retailers still do not realise the importance of treating lighting as part of an overall design approach — or the need for “separation” that is, concentrating on lighting the merchandise as opposed to the shop walls.
The ideal warehouse
Authors: Keith Andrew
Published: February 2008

Warehousing has undergone a fundamental transformation over the past thirty years. From a time when the fork lift truck was the most intricate piece of warehousing equipment, today's computer hardware and software now allow the construction of completely automated complexes. The technology which makes this state of affairs possible can bring key benefits such as reduced inventory, increased management control, greater accuracy and better labour efficiency, though at the same time costs incurred should be justifiable. This article attempts to give some guidelines for decisions in each of these areas.
Nixdorf opts for self‐scanning
Authors: Ody Penelope
Published: February 2008

A new self‐scanning system designed by Nixdorf was described at a recent Nixdorf conference held in Madrid, and is to be exhibited at Euroshop in Dusseldorf in February. Known as the Scan Tower, it is a checkout‐based system rather than a self‐scan trolley which forms the principle of the system introduced by Albert Heijn in Tilburg.
The International Chilled Food Fair '90
Authors: Fernie John
Published: February 2008

The International Chilled Food Fair (ICFF) was held at the NEC Birmingham from 15–17 May. It attracted 460 exhibitors and 13,377 visitors. Of those visitors, 19 per cent were of managerial status, 12 per cent were directors, and 76 per cent of all visitors had purchasing power within their organisation; for example 46 per cent had budgets of over £500,000
WRITING ABOUT ISLAM: THE ROLE OF ACEDEMICS
Authors: Mehmet Ozay
Published: February 2008

Mankind stands at a turning point in time as empires crumble, old enemies make peace, and the old‐order based on nation‐states is threatened. But, regrettably, it seems scholars are increasingly playing dysfunctional roles: instead of preaching tolerance and understanding fit for a Global Village built peace and cooperation, voices of intolerance and extremism are making significant inroads into the ivory tower.
EXPLORING THE FRUSTRATED QUEST FOR GREATER EQUALITY IN THE U.S.
Authors: Wisman Jon D.
Published: February 2008

The ideal of greater equality has been an important part of America's self‐image. From the time of the U.S. revolution, when equality was a component in our battle cry for freedom, various political movements have held the ideal of greater equality as central to their programs. More than mere political rhetoric, reducing inequality has been the goal of a broad array of public measures. Yet despite all efforts, wealth and income distribution have changed relatively little in U.S. history.
GOVERNMENT AS AN INSTITUTION FOR HUMAN FULFILLMENT
Authors: Sun Li‐teh
Published: February 2008

In the contemporary US economy, to maintain the government can somehow be related to human fulfillment seems to be odd. This is especially the case during the Reagan administration when the government was seen to be inherently evil. The catchword was “To Get the Big Government Off Our Back”, because the government seems to always stand in the people's way, to interfere with their freedom, and to tax them unjustly. Government, therefore, is detrimental to human fulfillment. This anti‐government attitude is quite understandable. In the tradition of classical liberalism, human fulfillment is considered primarily an individual matter and predicated upon individual freedom. As the role of government increases, individual freedom is assumed to be decreased. There is a competitive or substitutive relationship between the government and the individual.
Perspectives on Human Nature and Their Implications for Business Organizations
Authors: Solomon Lewis D.
Published: February 2008

The future beckons … a new millennium …
Socio‐Economic Development Institutions in Malaysia: An Evaluative Perspective
Authors: Ghosh B.N. , Fatah Che Hamat Abdul , Syukri Salleh Muhammad
Published: February 2008

Malaysia is now one of the newly industrialising countries and hopes to attain the status of a fully industrialised nation by the year 2020. She has embarked upon the capitalist path of development and has achieved spectacular economic success not only in terms of quantitative growth rate but also in terms of quality of human life.
Need Based Development and Its Implications for Sustainability
Authors: Huq Ataul
Published: February 2008

Development implying change or progress has now been recognized as a multi‐dimensional concept. But development measured simplistically in terms of certain quantifiable variables such as gross or percapita real GNP was once considered as the be all and end all of the challenges facing the human beings in terms of hunger, poverty, malnutrition and squalid conditions (Aiken & Follette, 1977; Allen & Thomas, 1990). This preoccupation by development theorists, social thinkers, statesmen and philosophers of the past led to the discovery of a magical word, i.e. creation of wealth as a solution to all those human challenges (Ball, 1992). The goal of wealth‐creation as a measure of unidimensional concept of development, in turn, is said to have been achieved by production for profit alone. Again, the production for profit could be pursued only by those producers who would be guided by self‐interested motives of maximizing output and minimizing costs.
UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Trainer Ted
Published: February 2008

Some of the most serious problems our society faces are due to the mistaken view of development that underlies so much of our thinking and practice.
DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT VERSUS ECONOMIC PROGRESS
Authors: Wein Sheldon
Published: February 2008

Recently there has been a trend for those governments which provide development aid to put overt and explicit conditions on how the recipients of aid should use development funds to mold their societies. The values endorsed by the developed nations are respect for human rights, moves towards democracy, and steps to establish market economies. Is it appropriate for developed countries to attach strings to the aid they provide to developing countries or does this amount to an unjustifiable interference in the affairs of others? If the developed countries do attach strings, how are we to judge what to do when the strings get tangled? Democracy, human rights, and market economy are the values westerners have signalled they are going to insist on most highly in determining aid.