Current Trends in UK Distribution Research

Abstract

Despite, or perhaps even because of, the economic uncertainties of the period, the 1970s witnessed a radical transformation of the British distributive system. Most of the changes which occurred were similar to those experienced elsewhere in the Western world, and in a review of developments in EEC countries, Dawson has suggested that the impact of these changes on society could be similar to that produced by the Industrial Revolution. In Britain at least, the changes in distribution were, and remain, a result of very marked changes in society: most notably the change in consumption patterns brought about by endemic inflation, increasing unemployment and periodic world energy crises. The result has been increased competition, a search for greater efficiency and diversification of traditional product lines. Thus the British distribution system throughout the 1970s was dominated by the trend to mass merchandising, by the emergence of large firms and a consequent increase of corporate power and by the appearance of new distribution forms. While many of the conditions and developments experienced in the 1970s are expected to continue into the 1980s, it has been predicted (Distributive Industry Training Board 1980) that by the 1990s further revolutionary changes are likely to have occurred, particularly as a result of widespread automation involving new technology. The industry is, therefore, in the middle of a period of very rapid change.

Small-Scale Retailers in an Island Town

“…Several studies have emphasised the impact of large store retailing and shopping centres on independent retailing, particularly on small shops in urban areas (Shaw, 1987), including studies of market towns in the UK (Davies & Kirby, 1983;Thomas & Bromley, 2003), traditional shopping districts in Toronto, Canada (Shaw, 1987: 364) and city centres as in Sheffield (William, 1991). Studies have also been undertaken on the impacts of large stores on small-scale retailers in various types of trade: grocery retailers (Clarke, 2000), toy retailers (Thorpe, 1977) and retail pharmacies (Davies & Kirby, 1983). These impact studies tend to come to similar conclusion that is the positive impact of large stores which have relatively few adverse effects on small independent shops and on localised retail areas.…”

“…Some even lament at restrictions on large stores as counter-productive, in that it prevents positive spill-over effects to small stores (Boylaud & Nicoletti, 2001). Additionally, only few shop closures were accounted from the new development of large stores (Davies & Kirby, 1983). Some of the positive impacts of large-scale retailing are in terms of reasonable and lower prices (Thorpe, 1977), wider choice of goods (Sinha et al, 2005;Gilmour & Gale, 2002), facilitating one stop shopping, self-service formats, which are all suited to urban communities that experience social change and values.…”