bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE FUTURE FOR TEXTILE WHOLESALERS IN WESTERN EUROPE
Authors: Kuhlmeijer dr. H.J.
Published: February 2008

The rapidly declining importance of the textile industry in western Europe as a result of increased textile imports is just one of the factors which will determine the future of textile wholesalers in western Europe. Other important factors are the pattern of consumer expenditure and the developing pattern of retail distribution. This paper was originally presented by Professor dr. Kuhlmeijer to members of EUGRO at a recent meeting in Amsterdam. EUGRO is a group of textile wholesalers operating in western Europe.
The story behind Tesco's stamp decision
Authors: Mac Laurin Ian
Published: February 2008

Tesco's decision in June to drop trading stamps was not simply a matter of promotional change, but an essential element in the formulation of the whole trading policy of the company. Three cardinal questions demanded consideration: Tesco's own position in the market; the short‐term prospects for the national economy; and a long‐term projection of Tesco performance against future economic developments. Ian MacLaurin delivered an extended version of what appears on the following pages at a recent conference organised by Capel‐Cure Myers.
DECISION MAKING IN DISTRIBUTION
Authors: Piercy Nigel
Published: February 2008

It is too often presumed that marketing research can be no more than a survey of opinion, to be seriously considered only by the larger organisation, usually a manufacturer. Nigel Piercy questions these assumptions, pointing out a number of areas where marketing research can assist the retailer or wholesaler to make informed decisions. He also examines the relevant techniques available, and the kind of information they can be expected to produce. Although large and sophisticated retailers are already active in marketing research, other distributive organisations may find it increasingly necessary to undertake active and systematic research before making decisions in a changing and competitive market.
DISCOUNT GROCERY COMES TO DUBLIN
Authors: Parker A.J.
Published: February 2008

The most significant change in the Dublin retail scene over the past year has been the arrival of the discount food store, with Albert Gubay, formerly of Kwik Save, as the foremost operator. Three Guys, originally set up in Auckland, New Zealand, has now arrived in Dublin and Gubay plans to open five stores in eight months.
Coupon redemption
Authors: Miller Jeremy
Published: February 2008

The problem of handling promotional coupons, which come in all shapes, sizes, materials and values from hundreds of different manufacturers, provides an interesting case history of how computer aids can draw sense from a cat's cradle of miscellaneous data
Recruiting a distribution manager
Authors: Jermey Kevin
Published: February 2008

It is important that a prospective employer should use the proper criteria for judging a candidate's suitability for any management post. Here, Kevin Jermey outlines what, in his view, are the qualities required for one of the newer management functions in the retail industry — distribution, and explains how a typical search assignment operates.
THE COST AUDIT
Authors: Williams Robert
Published: February 2008

In the last issue of RDM, Robert Williams outlined a model cost audit of a distribution system. In this second part, he demonstrates how such a cost audit can identify the major factors affecting costs, and makes some practical suggestions towards their reduction. What appears on the following pages was delivered in an extended form to a recent conference in London of the Institute of Practitioners in Work Study, Organisation and Methods.
How Tesco came close to breakdown
Authors: Powell David
Published: February 2008

The story of Tesco's abandonment of trading stamps and launching of Operation Checkout has been told perhaps more than enough over the past year. What is not so well‐known is the effect that rapidly boosted turnover had upon their distribution system. “We must recognise the fact,” says Ian MacLaurin, “that we came very close to breakdown.” How Tesco coped with the problem is described in this exclusive feature.
ADVISE OR CONTROL
Authors: Gunnarsson Staffan
Published: February 2008

A report made to the CIES ten years ago on the subject of centralisation vs de‐centralisation found that centralisation acted as ‘a very real motivator for growth’, but that this motivation would reach its limit if the process were carried too far. Another study was recently sponsored by Philip Morris International to gather the views of European members of the CIES on the same subject, and the summary results, printed on the following pages, were presented to the CIES Annual Congress in Estoril, Portugal during May of this year. The results largely echo the findings of the 1968 study, showing a wide variation in the degree of central control to be found in retail chains across Europe, but suggests that to get the best out of managers at local level less, rather than more, centralisation may be needed.
Retailing in the 80's
Authors: Cook David , Doyle Peter
Published: February 2008

How have retailers survived the recession, and who will prosper in the coming decade? In order to answer these questions, David Cook and Peter Doyle examined the strategies of a number of organisations which have managed to flourish in these times of trimmed margins and economic restraint. Their findings indicate that in future, retailers will have to adopt a sophisticated programme whereby their marketing effort aimed at generating a differential advantage in an expanded market share can be thoroughly integrated with a financial strategy or good accountancy.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LOCAL GROCER?
Authors: Kirby David
Published: February 2008

As Britain's shopping provision becomes increasingly centralised, the small local shop is becoming a rare feature of the retail grocery trade. Dr David A. Kirby examines the results of a pilot survey to discover the attitudes and opinions of failed retailers. He goes on to suggest that there is a real need for efficient and convenient local stores which may require special concessions from the Government, and certainly an injection of entrepreneurial talent, to survive.
LOOK WHERE YOU'RE GOING
Authors: Simmons Martin
Published: February 2008

More attention is now being devoted to the contribution which market research can make to the location, development and appraisal of individual stores. This is a result of trends in European retailing where stores are generally built much larger, where they sell a greater variety of merchandise and attract people from wider distances. In the following pages, Mr Simmons assesses the new role of market research, and in particular, what it can tell the retailer about his image, so important when competing for custom in an out‐of‐town shopping centre.
The retailer as developer
Authors: Chippindale Sam
Published: February 2008

When a retailer takes on the responsibility for a development within which his own outlet will be the dominant feature, he must, of course, be satisfied that he is investing in a prime site which serves an appropriate catchment. At a seminar on District Shopping Centre Development in London earlier this year, Sam Chippindale, Director of Sam Chippindale Development Enterprises Ltd, suggested that the relationship between developer and Local Authority is equally important, and that both parties have a mutual interest in the long‐term success of the enterprise. If the partnership is to operate a community centre that is architecturally acceptable, free from vandalism, well patronised and economically viable, then negotiations should reflect these broader aims and not be conducted as pure horse‐trading over initial terms. The seminar was presented by IBC.
HOW TO RAISE PROFITABILITY IN DISTRIBUTION
Authors: Sussams John
Published: February 2008

In discursive style, John Sussams looks at the elements of the distribution system that really matter — the vehicles, the goods, the customers, and the drivers, and outlines what one's policy should be in relation to them all in order to increase profitability. This was a further paper delivered at the Grand Metropolitan Planning seminar in London recently.
DISTRIBUTION
Authors: Piercy Nigel
Published: February 2008

Marketing, as defined by Nigel Piercy, is both the most essential and the most elusive of practices in the expanding world of warehousing and distribution. His case is that marketing decisions made in the various areas concerning distribution should be carefully evaluated and integrated, resulting in controlled, effective planning. But how accurately can the real effect of marketing be assessed in terms of cost and results? Mr Piercy has carefully dissected the subject, and then reassembled it into a framework for analysis to the simplest and the most sophisticated needs.
Making the best use of resources in physical distribution
Authors: Pettit Daniel
Published: February 2008

In this keynote paper which Sir Daniel Pettit presented to the National Conference at the Centre for Physical Distribution Management in 1978, he reviews the dramatic changes which have affected economies and business management over the last 20 years. But his attitude is that of a man who sees opportunities in the problems. He is particularly clear about the role that Physical Distribution Management can make for itself in the midst of this transformation. PDM is one of the unexplored areas where technology and innovative thinking can make great leaps into a successful future.
SCENARIO FOR CHANGE OR CHAOS?
Authors: Smeeton H.J.
Published: February 2008

As the price war surges into the 1980s and battle continues for market share, the pressure on margins has produced the need for further and further cost‐cutting. In this paper (given at a South‐East IGD Branch Seminar late last year), Mr Smeeton outlines the reaction so far of the retail trade to these needs, and then proceeds to establish the distribution network as the last big frontier for cost‐cutting. Humphrey Smeeton has the ability not only to present the larger theoretical questions, but to pay detailed attention to the practical problems of physical distribution management.
Manpower planning for distribution at Boots
Authors: Ripley A.R.
Published: February 2008

After the discussion about technology and advanced systems in the warehousing and distribution business, Mr A.R. Ripley of the Boots Company enters the field with the human factor in mind. His paper, which was presented at the Centre for Physical Distribution Management National Conference, 1978, concerns itself with the need for management at all levels specialising in the warehousing and distribution field. He describes in detail the various sources of recruitment and training processes which Boots use for their warehousing and distribution management structure. Mr Ripley emphasises that there is no set recipe for success in introducing a system of training and development and that their own is constantly being reassessed.
The DIY revolution
Authors: Kirby David A.
Published: February 2008

In the UK, per capita expenditure in the DIY market is particularly high, accounting in fact for over a quarter of the European total. And it is an expanding market. The growth of the home improvement centre has been even more dramatic. But even though heavy price‐cutting and low margins have been characteristic features, there are now signs that the emphasis is swinging away from price and more to choice and service. In this special feature David Kirby looks first at the DIY market as a whole, and then specifically at one of its most thrusting and energetic companies — the Scottish‐based Timberland (with outlets also in England). Currently with 75 stores and a turnover of £14m, they have recently opened a 24,000 sq ft Home Improvement Centre at Kilmarnock.
Large vs. small retailers in the USA
Authors: Hollander Stanley C.
Published: February 2008

In the 1930s, American federal and state governments legislated explicitly in favor of the small retailer. But since the war it has been the indirect legislation which has had the most impact on the balance between large and small retailers — especially in such areas as trading hours, social policies such as public subsidies for suburban highway construction, and the relaxed attitude by the Federal Trade Commission towards mergers of retail multiples. Even some of the legislation that apparently imposes burdens on large‐scale retailing may ultimately be to its advantage.
Small distribution warehouses
Authors: Bevington Tom
Published: February 2008

A recent seminar presented by the South Eastern branch of the IGD raised some controversial views on the optimum size of warehouses. One point of view put forward was that changing conditions in the grocery field created an advantageous environment for small warehouses. However, Tom Bevington of A.T. Kearney disagrees, and in this special feature he attacks the myths surrounding the support for the use of small distribution warehouses. He has been assisted in the preparation of this paper by two colleagues from A.T. Kearney — Mr. G.V. Hill and Mr. J.B.H. Scanlon.
Warrington: a new location for distribution
Authors: MacRae John
Published: February 2008

The last few years have seen the emergence of Warrington as a major new centre for road‐based distribution. At the crossover of the M6, M62 and M56 the new town development corporation has marked out physical distribution as one of four prime marketing areas. Safeway and Woolworth are among the big names which have already located centres in Warrington, and the development corporation expects more to follow.
The impact of mini and micro computers in retailing
Authors: Jones Gil , Walman Barbara
Published: February 2008

Words like “revolution” are frequently used to describe the impact of the silicon chip on industry; as far as retailing is concerned, there is no doubt that the availability of the mini and micro computer will have profound effects. In this article Gil Jones and Barbara Walman discuss first, the development of mini computers and how they are used; then what they describe as the “intriguing” prospect of how micro computers might affect the retail sector, looking both at small retailers and then at multiples. No retailer — large or small — can afford to ignore the implications of this remarkable technological development.
The life cycle of the retail business
Authors: Cauwe Maurice
Published: February 2008

After more than 50 years in retailing, Maurice Cauwe has secured his rightful place as one of Europe's most distinguished retailers. He has been closely involved in the development of the massive GB‐Inno‐BM empire, and it is largely due to his influence that the policy of diversification, carried out in recent years, has been successful. But this does not mean that all of the company's ideas worked! In this comprehensive and objective paper, originally delivered to the “Club des anciens juniors” in Brussels, Maurice Cauwe talks about history, contemporary ideas, and also his thoughts for the future. As he says himself, he is attempting to show once more that nothing is stable in economic terms.
Scanning: recent experience in the USA
Authors: Wilson Thomas W.
Published: February 2008

What has been the progress of scanning in the United States over the past few years? After initial difficulties, things now seem to be picking up. Just over 8,000 manufacturing companies are using a UPC identity number; symbol marking has increased to around 90% of grocery volume; and the number of scanner‐equipped stores has now reached about 800. In this paper presented to the recent CIES Congress in Montreal, Thomas Wilson, in his comprehensive review of the scanning situation to date, suggests that American retailers are now “on the brink of a second phase of UPC development, the soft savings revolution.”
TACTICAL PLANNING OF RADIAL JOURNEYS
Authors: O'Brien Harry
Published: February 2008

The following two papers were presented at the Oyez/IBC conference on “The Computer in Road Transport Planning” held in London in September. The conference addressed itself to various questions relating to the function of the computer in this field: why use a computer at all? How much money will it save, if any? How do you put the new systems into service? What are the implications for the company as a whole? Will it maintain or improve service levels, and how flexible are the systems currently available? The first paper, by Harry O'Brien, deals specifically with the load planning function. There is a resumé of this function and its objectives, a discussion of the respective roles of the load planner and computer, and a development of this theme by asking about the further possible role for computers now that they are interactive.
Technology and the retailer
Authors: French Brian A
Published: February 2008

This wide‐ranging paper answers some of the questions which the retailer might like to ask about the effect of data processing on the retail trade. And the author does not start with the assumption that everyone recognises the benefits of data processing: the first question he asks himself is why should the retailer invest in this area at all? He also goes into the cost effectiveness of data processing, and the need for very flexible computer systems in the fast‐changing world of retailing. Moreover, it is not just the retailing giants who concern him. With the drop in the cost of computer hardware, he believes that the availability of hand‐held scanning devices could be good news for the small retailer. What with the benefits of UPC and EAN for stock control. This paper was presented in November in Paris at the CIES conference, EDP: focus on store operations.
Scanning in supermarkets
Authors: Claus DA
Published: February 2008

When the Ahold company of the Netherlands investigated the operational requirements of scanning equipment, lengthy preparations were undertaken. This is a detailed report of the results, with some valuable information on the difficulties encountered. The commonest problems were those of using a mixed system — scanning, key‐entry and price‐entry — all of which slowed down productivity at the check out. Throughout the paper, the message is clear; there must be unity of action between manufacturers and retailers before the real benefits show. This case‐study presents a practical assessment of one company's experiments with POS systems, and despite the problems, Ahold's commitment in this field and their realistic appraisal of the work still to be done makes interesting reading. This paper was also presented at the CIES conference held in Paris 1979, “EDP: focus on store operations”.
Labour scheduling
Authors: Slypen Marcel
Published: February 2008

The cost of labour is one of the most expensive overheads the retailer faces today and not surprisingly, any efforts to cut down on costs in this area are of great interest. At the CIES conference held in Paris in November (EDP: focus on store operations) Marcel Slypen of Delhaize “Le Lion” delivered this paper on labour scheduling. It traces the company's experiments with data capture from POS systems as a means of monitoring and controlling the use of staff. The results are promising and Delhaize “Le Lion” are now convinced of the effectiveness of the equipment they used and its beneficial impact on labour scheduling.
Structure plans and retail planning
Authors: Shaw G , Williams A
Published: February 2008

At a time when Michael Heseltine is proposing to undermine the authority of the structure plan in influencing local planning decisions, the authors of this paper find that it is the structure plan which offers most scope for a sane approach to retail planning. The existing system is one where there is either a lack of policy statements or where the plans are too limited in their scope, too localised to provide a sensible analysis of total retailing needs. This could have serious consequences for an industry so finely balanced, where the impact of new or redeveloped district centres has wide implications for the surrounding shopping centres.
INFLATION: ITS IMPACT ON RETAIL TRADING
Authors: Currie Richard J.
Published: February 2008

The impact of inflation on the trading of food retailers in North America shows itself in various ways: in store closures, in the rise of independent retailer strength, in polarisation of store sizes and in the targeting of marketing efforts. These are the major consequences of inflation which Richard Currie, speaking at the CIES annual executive congress last year, pinpointed. Although looking specifically at the North American scene, his paper has relevance to the European situation, especially in his references to the marked effect on inflation that even a small change in productivity may have.
The sunny side of Clydebank
Authors: Evely Richard
Published: February 2008

The Clyde Centre, with over 33,000 sq metres of shopping space, was opened in October 1978. Its tenants include Fine Fare, Safeway, BHS, Boots and the Co‐op. How has the Centre fared during its first year? Three shopper‐interview surveys over the period indicate that the £20m investment was well worth it.
Shrinkage —whose responsibility?
Authors: Sledmere Howard
Published: February 2008

Just how seriously do management regard the shrinkage problem? And is management quite clear as to who exactly are the villains in the piece? Shrinkage is avoidable, says Howard Sledmere, but only if management takes a firm grip and applies a responsible strategy
FOOD WHOLESALING
Authors: Doré Bernard
Published: February 2008

This paper falls roughly into three sections: a brief description of the development and structure of the wholesale trade, the implications this structure has for the distribution network, and the conclusion that their means of operation is more viable than that of the multiple or manufacturer with centralised warehousing and fleets of vehicles on long‐distance runs. The forcast is that by 1985 the largest distributor of food in the UK could be a wholesaler.
THE CHANGING RETAIL PATTERN
Authors: Allan John
Published: February 2008

Superstores, convenience stores, supermarkets, limited line stores, the future for own brand and generic products, the growth in DIY, the non‐food sector. All these subjects are covered by John Allan of Fine Fare who puts his assessment of the market within the context of the developments of the last decade and his predictions for the next. Also tackled are such questions as the fate of the department stores and specialist multiples and chain stores, as well as the prospect for in‐home shopping. This paper was presented to the Oyez IBC conference, “Retailing in the Eighties” in London recently.
COMPUTER APPLICATION PACKAGES
Authors: Parker Ian
Published: February 2008

Computer application packages have had something of a bad name up until now; in fact, in the majority of cases, the package solution is the only practical one. This article describes how packages may be applied to a variety of functions, especially retail outlet accounting and vehicle costing systems.
Scantron unravelled
Authors: Jones Gil
Published: February 2008

A great deal of interest has been aroused in the retail trade over the last few months by reports of the development of a new OCR omnidirectional scanning system. Called Scantron, the system has been developed by Herr Hans Scholze, with research being carried out by the Battelle Institute in Frankfurt. EPOS 80 scored a coup at their Congress in June in London by staging a presentation delivered (in German and translated) by Herr Scholze himself. In the event the presentation was somewhat inconclusive. Gil Jones explains why and attempts to put Scantron in its proper perspective.
Retail competition and planning
Authors: Cassells Sheila C.
Published: February 2008

In recent years much criticism has been levelled against planning authorities for their apparent prejudice against large‐scale developments and their reluctance to take into account factors other than a narrow approach to land use. In this special feature Sheila Cassells argues that planning control should have regard to the welfare effects of retail competition, should consider the likely changes in respect of prices and the implications of these changes for low income families in urban and rural deprived areas, and should pay particular attention to the “uneven” effects of a hypermarket or superstore on the existing pattern of local trade. Most of the research for this article was done when the author was a postgraduate student in Town Planning at University College London.
The birth and death of small retail units in Britain
Authors: Kirby David A , Law David C
Published: February 2008

This analytical article points to the lack of retail business experience and knowledge which characterises many of the small shopkeepers across this country. It also makes clear how far the small independent retailer feels hounded by government and competition and suggests that help may be in order. Also contained here are the results of a pilot survey of prospective purchasers and vendors of small retail units and the article points to the need for further research into the birth and death of small retail businesses.
Fuel Measurement in the road transport industry
Authors: Farren John
Published: February 2008

The Institute of Management Services held a seminar in London recently which dealt with the awesome topic of “Energy Saving in Transport and Distribution”. Whilst no machine can yet control the human factor — how the truck driver handles his vehicle can greatly affect fuel consumption — the following paper describes the possibilities for fuel measurement in road transport, so that both driver and management can be aware of how much petrol is being used up underneath the bonnet.
Owen Owen
Authors: Ognjenovic Danica
Published: February 2008

Fitch & Company, the design consultants, have been involved with several projects for Owen Owen for some years now. But the planning and construction of a department store in Redditch marks the beginning of new developments. RDM talked to Fitch & Company and to John Hoeslie of Owen Owen about Redditch, and we give the last word to Alan MacKinnon, marketing director of the design group, who had some observations to make about the future of the department store in general.
The independent chemist fights back
Authors: McFadyen Edward
Published: February 2008

The major problem confronting the independent chemist over the past ten years has been the incursion into the OTC market — and in particular toiletries — of the multiple grocer, especially the supermarket. To counteract this, independent chemists formed the voluntary group Numark, which recently held its annual conference in Paris. Currently with annual sales of £300m, Numark is establishing itself in terms of profitable marketiang and an intelligent application of data processing techniques to its retailer and wholesaler members.
Retail competition and the planner
Authors: Whysall Paul
Published: February 2008

In her recent article in this journal, Sheila Cassells posed many intriguing questions about planning and major shopping developments in the light of a well‐argued case that planning controls should have regard to the welfare effects of retail competition. The discussions presented here are intended to continue that debate, to offer further thoughts on her proposals and to suggest some further aspects of welfare which might be considered as valid.
Planned shopping centre developments — The problems of goods delivery and reception
Authors: Pickering R C
Published: February 2008

Problems concerning operational inefficiencies of goods delivery and reception to retail outlets located on the high street are frequently said to stem from deficiencies in the transport infrastructure. These deficiencies are often made worse by poor organisation and management of the facilities available, and this has repercussions on the environment in which people shop. In an effort to alleviate pressure put on the retail environment by conflicting transport uses, planning authorities have implemented schemes which enable pedestrians and vehicles to be segregated. Hence they have created traffic‐free pedestrianized areas and shopping centres. The exclusion of vehicles from these sensitive areas has meant that other arrangements have had to be made to enable goods vehicles to service shops. These usually take the form of specially designed off‐loading areas, remote from major Pedestrian concentrations.
Getting away from the curse of the average
Authors: McFadyen Edward
Published: February 2008

With the opening of the Quatre Temps shopping centre in La Defense complex in Paris, a major design project for Conran Associates has been completed. This feature looks at some of the principles the company follows in its approach to both store and product design.
The perspiration zone
Authors: Forrester RA
Published: February 2008

Buying “flair” is like a scrumptious meringue, it may look wonderful and taste delicious, but its sustenance value is nil compared to the infinitely more protein‐packed buyer's bread and butter — training. As buying, claims Bob Forrester, is one of the most important functions of the retail trade then the training of buyers should be one of the most important training functions. That this has been dawning on retailers over the years is borne out by the thousands who have passed through the St Helens School of Management Studies, where a successful DITB scheme has been established. Here the author outlines the courses offered by the school and makes a plea for this kind of training to continue.
Computer aided shopping service for those who really need it
Authors: Davies RL
Published: February 2008

Tesco, Gateshead metropolitan borough council and the University of Newcastle have developed a computer‐aided shopping service aimed at bringing the advantages of the superstore to those people who are either housebound or confined to shopping in a local area. The service is based in a branch library in an inner city neighbourhood and uses modern point of sale equipment to effect the ordering and delivery of goods, and Prestel to provide information about both shopping opportunities and matters of local community concern. Bob Davies describes the philosophy behind it and how this pilot scheme has developed practically.
Finding the right scanning system
Authors: Jones Gil
Published: February 2008

At EPOS 81 last September Dr Gil Jones gave a review of items of scanning equipment at that time on the market. In this article for RDM he outlines the broad types of equipment that are available, and discusses their suitability and cost.
Pension implications for job‐changers
Authors: Vann John C
Published: February 2008

When most people change jobs they do so for a higher salary, a greater challenge, increased prospects. What happens to their pension comes very near the bottom of things to be considered. But in many cases, unless you are employed in the public sector, a change of job could have adverse affects on your pension rights. A questionnaire drawn up by the Occupational Pensions Board and sent to various organisations, revealed a wide response to ways of avoiding pension loss as a result of job change. John Vann gives details of the questionnaire results and describes the tortuous pension‐path awaiting those who change their jobs, and advises everyone to delve into their pension position very carefully indeed.
A new method of selling to chemists
Authors: Altman Wilfred
Published: February 2008

Food broking — using a third party to carry out the sales operation and the distribution function — is of course well known in the grocery sector. Now Sangers Agencies have adapted the idea for the pharmacy sector; chemists seem to be pleased.
Superstore boost for inner city areas
Authors: Eliot Stuart
Published: February 2008

The search for new approaches to inner city problems has been stepped up following the recent disturbances in Brixton, Toxteth and Moss Side, but clearly (here is no simple solution. Certainly, the answer does not depend solely on the amount of money ploughed into the areas because, as Mr Heseltine has argued, “very large sums of public money are already being spent, and they do not always appear to have solved the problems of our cities.” Instead, any improvement is likely to come from a variety of sources — political, social and financial. This article examines the contribution that retailers can make.
Training for data processing in retailing
Authors: Morris Elizabeth
Published: February 2008

Are staff in retail companies being adequately trained to cope with the increasingly complex demands being made upon them by the computer and data processing techniques? The DITB carried out a study into the industry to identify areas of specific skills being used in the DP function — a first step in the development of appropriate training of DP staff to a national standard. The study identified the need for impartial training advice from a neutral body which could advise and update firms on computer hard and software. The writer also comments that “firms do not always seem able to obtain the training support from manufacturers and suppliers which they require.” But perhaps increased competition between suppliers will cause them to think more carefully about this — or they may find “consumer resistance” when they look for repeat business.
Scanning — The trials and the triumphs
Authors: Sharples Sue
Published: February 2008

On 25 January Tesco, carrying the beacon for others to follow, opened its first “live” scanning store, in Edmonton, and 15 more are planned to open over the next year. Other groups are still at the trial stage, and RDM heard about their progress during the Article Numbering Association's annual conference held in Wembley, London, on 22 and 23 March. The whole conference was headed “Article Numbering — can you afford to ignore it?” and the first session looked at some of the teething troubles the UK groups were facing, for instance whether to barcode in store and how to tackle the problem of transition from price‐marking to bar‐coding. The data that can be retrieved from scanning makes it “one of the most important management tools in our industry today,” according to Chuck Gramlich of Ralphs Grocery Co which is based in Los Angeles. He showed how this group, which was the second in the States to go 100% scanning, used the data to reduce shrinkage, improve cashier productivity, reduce energy costs, examine customer buying patterns, and test new products.
POS devices… Pitfalls for the unwary
Authors: Sanderson Harold C.
Published: February 2008

Mothercare, with a long record of having successfully applied computerisation to their operations, has over the last two years or so been investigating POS devices which will capture SKU data through the use of wands, look up prices automatically, and be able to communicate efficiently with a central computer. The pitfalls inherent in such an operation are manifold, and in this paper, originally presented to a CIES Symposium in Brussels earlier this year, Harold Sanderson outlines the problems which confront any retaier setting out on this tasK. The paper is the result of a number of discussions and study sessions which reflect not only his own company's experiences but also the problems faced by other retailers both in the UK and the USA.
Superstore competition
Authors: Hallsworth Alan
Published: February 2008

In a case study at Waterlooville, Hants, parking is top of two lists of “hindrances” and “helpful factors” viewed by other retailers in the light of superstore competition. Alan Hallsworth draws the conclusion that superstore competition can again be confirmed as not “paramountly important” in the minds of other traders.
The shape of retail trading policies
Authors: Davis Peter
Published: February 2008

Policy is a very individual matter for each company concerned, in Peter Davis' view, hence it is virtually impossible to try to identify other people's trading policies. What he sets out to do in this paper, therefore, is to examine some factors which are likely to influence policy and then draw some general conclusions. The specific factors he examines are the consumer, the retail trade itself, and the suppliers. This is an edited version of a paper presented by Peter Davis at the IGD 1982 Convention, “Whose Move?”
EFTS and the EPOS market in Europe
Authors: Foster Eric
Published: February 2008

An analysis carried out by a major supplier of EPOS equipment suggests that, if EFTS is introduced at point of sale, with all cheques replaced by EFT debit card transactions, and all credit cards by EFT credit cards eliminating vouchers, the retailer could expect a 20% saving in costs.
A computer system for a pharmacy operation
Authors: Simpson Alan
Published: February 2008

Until fairly recently, the pharmacy profession has remained reasonably immune from the attention of the computer industry sales teams. The reasons for this reprieve are mainly those of size and costs. Most Pharmacies are small independent units whose individual turnover and operations do not justify full — or even partial — scale computing facilities. Similarly, the size and cost of computer systems available in the market place did not offer a cost effective or necessarily a cost efficient alternative to existing accounting procedures and routines.
Applying automation to warehousing
Authors: Sweet Michael
Published: February 2008

The Elida Gibbs distribution centre at Whitwood has the reputation of being one of the most successful applications so far of data processing systems to warehousing in this country. This article is a slightly edited version of the paper presented by Michael Sweet to the EPoS 82 conference in London in September.
Retailing out of the recession
Authors: Simmons Martin
Published: February 2008

In 1980 Gordon Simmons Research, in association with M & MD, interviewed a cross‐section of top management at 12 major retail organisations to examine their reactions to the recession and the likely effect of the economic climate on their policies throughout the 1980s (RDM, May/June 1981, p.10). This article is based on an update conducted two years later during August and September 1982, with the same organisations. These retailers, though few in number, represent a high proportion of retail turnover because of the concentration of trade. They cover a wide cross‐section of retailing; supermarkets, department stores, electrical goods outlets, variety stores, men's and women's fashion. Interestingly enough, the interviews in this second survey coincided almost exactly with the beginning of a marked increase in consumer expenditure which began in the third quarter of 1982 (RDM, November/December 1982, p.4), and which has persisted up to the time of writing. However, the responses from retailers discussed in this article relate mostly to their experience through 1981 and 1982.
Superstores and the inner city — Some reflections
Authors: Sparks Leigh
Published: February 2008

In the May/June 1982 issue of RDM we published an article by Stuart Eliot of UMIST which discussed the contribution that superstores can make to inner city areas. In this article Leigh Sparks develops some of the points made by Stuart Eliot, and in particular discusses the employment and locational policies of superstore retailers in more detail. However, there are considerable costs involved for retailers in opting for inner city location, as has already been pointed out by more than one major retailer. Occupancy costs — especially rates and car‐parking — are considerably more than the same costs in an edge‐of‐town location. There are also indirect costs in terms of the greater risks arising out of vandalism and shrinkage. Distribution and handling costs are, in general terms, lower in single‐storey stores which are more suited to edge‐of‐town locations. But, argues Leigh Sparks, why should retailers be expected to pay the cost of the government's inner city dilemma? The government should recognise the contribution that inner city superstores can make in employment and social terms, and extend inducements to retailers by way of capital expenditure and rates allowances.
Analysing corporate mission
Authors: Piercy Nigel
Published: February 2008

In recent years a great deal of attention has been devoted to improving strategic planning in business, to identify the long‐term future direction for a company. At the centre of strategic planning for retailers — and this includes the small and medium‐sized independents as well as the national multiples and groups — is the difficult idea of corporate mission. It is this aspect of strategic planning which managers seem to find most difficult to accept and use. This article attempts to make the identification of corporate mission a practical tool for retail managers. The components of business strategy are summarised, and then corporate mission is emphasised as the underlying foundation for planning. The practical value of these techniques is illustrated in the case of a gardening centre.
Retail designers in the '80s
Authors: Sharples Sue
Published: February 2008

Retail analysts Tony MacNeary and John Richards of stockbrokers Capel Cure Myers are engaged in a study focussed on retail designers, but it inevitably took them beyond this relatively narrow field to examine UK design generally. For the most part design in this country has been sluggish, but one gratifying exception has been retail design, which has really taken off in the last 10 years. RDM asked the analysts about their findings and where they thought the future of retail designers lay.
What if your computer breaks down?
Authors: Vann John C
Published: February 2008

We've all of us suffered from the so‐called computer error — the ever‐repeating bill flopping through the letterbox, or the more serious print‐out failure holding up a giro cheque. However, these could be considered minor irritations compared to a complete systems failure, particularly if it's your firm's computer that has packed up. Insurance cover against such breakdown is particular and detailed. John Vann examines one major insurer's computer policy; outlines a tailor‐made policy for small computer systems; and points to one company that even covers computer fraud.
BOOKS
Authors: Lewis Montague
Published: February 2008

This report, one of a set of six in the retail strategy analysis series, concentrates an up‐to‐date survey on all the groups controlling supermarkets in the United Kingdom. It is in two parts, the first an industry report and overview, the second comprehensive store profiles on the 16 major multiple organisations, beginning with Asda and continuing via Marks & Spencer and Littlewoods through to Waitrose. Data is also included on the smaller food multiple groups which, although substantial enough in their own right, are not among the market leaders.
The changing pattern of American retailing
Authors: Rogers David
Published: February 2008

Received wisdom is that retail change starts in America and later spreads to major western European countries. This was certainly true until the early 1970s when France took the lead in innovation, blinding the retail world with its dazzling regional shopping centres and its massive hypermarkets. To this day the Americans have not succeeded in selling food and non‐food under the same roof with the same panache as the French. But in recent years the Americans have revived their capacity for innovation, especially in the development of speciality chains, some of them sharply focussed in marketing terms and closely supported by the latest in automated systems. Then again, in supermarkets there has been the development of different formats within specific store type categories, of which the food‐drug combination store and the “hybrid” warehouse store are two interesting examples. Lastly there have been significant technological developments in cable TV and viewdata systems, and a number of test teleshopping systems are already in operation. In this first of an irregular series of articles on American retailing, Dr David Rogers outlines these changes, some of which will be discussed in more detail in subsequent features.
Keeping payment systems simple
Authors: Freestone David
Published: February 2008

There are a number of variations in payment schemes which companies can apply: a system related to productivity might pay commission, either individual or group. Then there are lump‐sum bonuses and other forms of incentive. David Freestone's conclusion is that there is no perfect remuneration system, but the key must be simplicity, both in understanding and operation.
Retail mergers: a review of government policy
Authors: Eliot Stuart
Published: February 2008

In recent years the retail sector has witnessed a spate of merger activity, partly because some companies have been unable to solve difficult trading problems in any other way, and partly because other companies see acquisitions as the only way to achieve rapid growth. For example, there has been Habitat's acquisition of Mothercare; Argyll Foods' purchase of Allied Suppliers; the sale of Woolworth's in October 1982; and, at the time of writing, bids involving UDS and others. While all this activity has been going on, the Government has been coming under increasing pressure from both businessmen and its own backbenchers to clarify merger policy. In this article Stuart Eliot sets out to review current policy towards retail mergers and considers whether any amendments are desirable.
Fareham's Brown Bear
Authors: Hallsworth Alan , Court Yvonne
Published: February 2008

As pressure continues to grow for out‐of‐town shopping a widening range of retail types is seeking such locations. Furniture and furnishings operations, requiring substantial amounts of low‐cost warehouse and display space are well to the forefront. In this study a report is given of some of the key trading characteristics of one such development: a Brown Bear furnishings superstore near Fareham, Hants.
The case of the half‐a‐million pounds stock deficit
Authors: Bethune Harry , Chadwick Leslie
Published: February 2008

In the second part of their article (part one was published in the last issue of RDM, May/June 1983) the authors continue to outline further ways in which errors occur — paying invoices twice, and duplicating goods received notes. However, they discovered that the largest area of errors could be attributed to “cut offs” — a procedure concerned with the arrangement made at the company's financial year end to ensure that there is agreement between physical stocks and the figures shown in the accounts.
A case for unit pricing?
Authors: McGoIdrick Peter , Marks Helen J
Published: February 2008

Unit pricing has been strongly opposed by most parties involved in the packaged grocery trade. A study recently completed by UMIST set out to examine it from four perspectives, and this article describes these approaches. Firstly, a review was undertaken of evidence emerging from the United States; secondly, an audit of prices and sizes was conducted in five grocery outlets in this country. Thirdly, the views of major grocery retailers were sought; and finally, a survey of customers was undertaken at a Sainsbury outlet to judge reactions to the unit price information that they provide in a few product areas.
Retail spending patterns 1961–81
Authors: Lewis Montague
Published: February 2008

The EDC for the Distributive Trades has recently published “Retail Trade Prospects” by C.B. Moir, on the development of key elements in retail trade structure in the UK over the period 1961–81. This report is the first stage of a triple series including a second report on the labour structure in distribution, and a final synthesis on the employment prospects for the distributive trades to 1987. Montague Lewis summarises the report and comments personally on the results and indications of future prospects for the distributive trades.
Mothercare — Conran's gift from the stork
Authors: Sharpies Sue
Published: February 2008

There was a long pause after the Habitat/Mothercare merger and the retailing world spent much time speculating on its outcome. Now the new look Mothercare has been revealed and demonstrates that a lot of thought has been generated in the last 18 months. RDM looks at Conran's new bouncing baby.