Following the journey of eight bargain store objects, Alison Hulme reveals the complex story behind society's simplest and cheapest commodities. Inspired by Walter Benjamin's Arcades Project, On the Commodity Trail explores the colourful and fascinating histories of everyday objects.Along the way, we observe raw materials on municipal rubbish dumps in China, newly re-made products in the world's largest wholesale market, and take a journey across the seas, to bargain stores in Europe and North America, arriving finally in the homes of consumers. Weaving together narratives from the people we meet at different parts of the commodity chain - waste peddlers, wholesalers, store owners, and shoppers - the book examines the places and people at the heart of these localized yet immense global networks.Unlike other investigations of commodity chains, this study does not chart a straightforward trajectory from production to consumption. Instead, it demonstrates that the low-end commodity chain is one of constant rupture in which products are made and re-made, blurring the dividing line between producing and consuming.An ethnography of material culture as well as an examination of commodity culture at a time of economic downturn, this deeply-engrossing book makes a unique contribution to our understanding of commodity chains and consumer culture.

This book presents a series of studies analyzing critical factors that promote and constrain textile & clothing (T&C) production and trade in the Belt & Road (B&R) countries, and forces that drive the restructuring and transforming of global T&C supply chain and operations in the B&R context. The book also offers insights into the challenges and opportunities for T&C manufacturing in B&R countries through interviews with T&C experts, and also examines how Hong Kong can strengthen its "super-connector" role by facilitating sustainable trade and development in the T&C industries, as well as discussion on the impact of global trade wars on T&C trade. In the studies presented in this book, they offer topics ranging from the macro-economy, international business environment and strategies, logistics and supply chain, policy changes, to sustainability. The studies offer descriptive, theoretical and empirical analyses that explore T&C business and management related opportunities and challenges that are derived from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Econometric analysis with the gravity model is applied to T&C trade and extended to cover other areas that have not been considered in previous studies, such as production costs, export supply chain costs, technologies, demographical factors, and factors related to the business environment and policies, including qualitative variables. Studies using in-depth interviews and linear regression analysis are also present to explore new factors for T&C trade and production relocation to B&R countries.

Retailers must be primed to face increasingly difficult trading conditions thanks to the rise of the internet, increasingly better informed consumers, technological advances and an often competitive environment. This established textbook, now in its third edition, helps to provide students with the necessary skills to understand and tackle these challenges. "

Retail Product Management" explains the importance of retailing as a customer-focused activity and helps to provide students of courses such as "Retail Marketing," "Retail Management" and "The Retail Environment" with an excellent introduction to this important topic. With an emphasis on the operational side, this text incorporates features including expanded case vignettes, questions for further discussion, and application tasks. It also includes a new chapter on ethical and sustainable retail product management.

Retaining the popular style and elements of the first two editions, Rosemary Varley's "Retail Product Management" will continue to find favour with students and lecturers involved with retailing.

This book is concerned with the spatial aspects of the distributive trades. It provides a comprehensive insight into the relationship between consumer demand and retail supply in the context of both recent business trends and increasing planning controls. It unites a wide variety of theories and techniques to the practical problems confronting businessmen and planners and draws together the findings of a vast research literature on the geography of retailing. Extensive comparisons are drawn between conditions in North America and Western Europe.

Originally published 1976.

A valuable and welcome undergraduate textbook. Environment and Planning

Recommended unreservedly to managers and planners in the distributive trades and to all those who are concerned with the implications of current trends in the provision of shopping facilities. Retail Distribution and Management

Retailer s buying power has significantly increased in recent years as a result of a process of market concentration. As vertical relationships in marketing channels have strengthened their influence over the shape of the industry, the producer-distributor relationship has become more central to an understanding of both marketing practice and the conduct and performance of consumer goods industries.

This comprehensive and detailed book covers the theory and practice of national and international retail and marketing channels. It provides a structural overview of the producer-distributor relationship as well as analyses of specific aspects of channel control and management. Finally, the book assesses the implications of new developments in the evolution of marketing channels.

First published 1989.

When analyzing 7-Eleven Japan's advanced and innovative management style, the authors of this book highlight the existence of the "integrated information system". This is because of the key role it plays not only in forming this firm's corporate strategy but also in developing its functional strategies for logistic support, merchandising and store operations. The authors explore the integrated information system, a symbol of the competitiveness of 7-Eleven Japan.

* A perfect guide for marketing and sustainable procurement and supply chain professionals in large companies, local authorities and governments and NGOs globally. * Can be used as a supplementary text on postgraduate and advanced undergraduate courses aimed at responsible marketing and procurement. * The book can be used internationally - ethical buying and selling behaviours are proliferating in almost all countries of the world. * Written by a leading authority on ethical consumption.

Numbers by the Book is a step by step guide to the financial side of planning, opening and operating a successful museum retail operation. This 96 page gem is lavishly illustrated with tables and charts to guide you through the process of creating budgets, choosing a POS system, purchasing, and measuring success. Includes 14 worksheets and forms to launch your museum store towards profit!

Changes in the philosophy of planning and the political influences behind it have led to an increasingly ambivalent approach to retail and commercial matters and a lack of clear goals and objectives as to what both central government and the local authorities should be concerned with. At the same time, changes within the distribution industry have brought new pressures to bear upon the environment which the conventional planning process seems ill-equipped to accommodate. This book, by an established leading authority, takes stock of the new problems to be confronted and provides the rudiments of an alternative planning approach to dealing with them.

It begins by examining the growth of office blocks and shopping centres, and goes on to analyse and criticise the existing planning processes, suggesting alternative procedures. It looks at the dual needs of development on the one hand and renovation and redevelopment on the other and discusses how these should be dealt with in the future. More specific problems are also examined: the impact created by new shopping schemes, the decline of small shops and related activities, the conflict over transport demands and provisions and the special physical needs of particular urban and rural environments. Throughout, the argument is supported by detailed examples of particular developments.

Originally published 1984.

The shopping centre has become an established feature of urban structure over the past thirty years. Development of centres has been rapid and little attempt has been made to consider the development process and the problems caused by it. There is a growing awareness that centres are not always wholly beneficial to their host cities and that some public policy control is necessary.

This book examines the shopping centre development process and analyses the control policies which have been taken and which are needed. It draws on material from throughout the developed world.

First published 1985.

Studies of the organisation and location of retailing activity have played a central role in the emergence of urban geography as a major area of academic study. Moreover, retailing is increasingly the focus of interdisciplinary research, with economists, sociologists, psychologists and marketing specialists all contributing.

This book surveys and sets in context the wide range of research work that has recently been done on retailing. It concentrates on western industrial societies, particularly Britain and the USA, and considers empirical research, theory and theoretical applications. Topics covered include location analysis which is a traditional area of academic interest; consumer behaviour, which is of particular interest to psychologists, and retail organisation and government involvement, which will interest all those concerned, especially those actually involved in retail planning and management.

This comprehensive book is the first substantial review of research in retail geography and suggests many future lines of research within the field.

Originally published 1980.

Buying, merchandising and the supply chain are inextricably linked. Product merchandisers play a key role within retail, as profits can be affected by how successfully they undertake their work. Merchandisers set prices to maximise profits and manage the performance of ranges, planning promotions and mark-downs as necessary. They also oversee delivery and distribution of stock and deal with suppliers. Their connection with and understanding of the supply chain is vital. Supported by theories, explanations and real-life examples, Managing the Retail Supply Chain looks at concepts and core themes that run across all sectors. Many businesses use a one-size-fits-all solution for any issues which arise, leading to big problems. Managing the Retail Supply Chain presents numerous examples of different business models adopted by a variety of companies. Covering basic principles of retail supply chain, KPIs, merchandise planning and demand planning as well as omnichannel, vertical integration, on-shelf availability and e-commerce, Managing the Retail Supply Chain is an essential guide for anyone involved in or studying retail supply chains and merchandising.

This book provides a solid overview of trade and business opportunities in the Pacific Alliance, focusing on the key drivers of economic growth and development in Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Mexico. It addresses the political, economic, and social benefits that accrue when commerce and markets are made freer, and implications this poses for American businesses. Further, it surveys how key economies of Latin America have learned from past failures and are poised to capitalize on them in the future. It will offer a detailed understanding for business scholars, practitioners, and entrepreneurs looking to explore new business ventures in dynamic trade union.

Large and medium sized retailers have increased their international operations substantially over the last 25 years. This is evident in: the number of countries to which these retailers expand; the growing international sales of retailers; and the heightening of the level of commitment of retailers to their international activity - a trend that is likely to continue over the next decade as general globalization in the service industries increases. The managerial implications of the moves to become global are considerable. Different retailers are pursuing different approaches, to varying degrees of success and are no longer simply multi-national, but are also multi-continental. Consequently, existing concepts and theories of international business fit uneasily in explanations of international retailing, so new corporate strategies need to be explored. Featuring in-depth studies of seven retailers, by international scholars from Japan, the UK and Sweden, Global Strategies in Retailing explores recent developments in strategy that are related to international retailing and in particular, the emergence of a Global Portfolio Strategy. As such, this book will be important reading for all international business and retailing students and academics researching in these areas.

When Philip Serrell - now well known for his television appearances - gave up teaching to become a professional auctioneer, he thought he was embarking on a sensible and safe career . . . a quiet life in the country with no surprises. In THE AUCTIONEER'S LOT we found out how wrong he was. SOLD TO THE MAN WITH THE TIN LEG Philip describes more of his extraordinary experiences as a country auctioneer, aided and abetted by some of the most colourful characters Worcestershire has to offer. From dodgy cars to fakes in the saleroom; angry livestock, mangled silverware and tortuous - not to mention muddy - experiences in local markets and farm sales, Philip has been there, done that and got the hoofprints on his suit to prove it. And of course, there's the return Philip's tin-legged boss . . .

Studies of the organisation and location of retailing activity have played a central role in the emergence of urban geography as a major area of academic study. Moreover, retailing is increasingly the focus of interdisciplinary research, with economists, sociologists, psychologists and marketing specialists all contributing. This book surveys and sets in context the wide range of research work that has recently been done on retailing. It concentrates on western industrial societies, particularly Britain and the USA, and considers empirical research, theory and theoretical applications. Topics covered include location analysis which is a traditional area of academic interest; consumer behaviour, which is of particular interest to psychologists, and retail organisation and government involvement, which will interest all those concerned, especially those actually involved in retail planning and management. This comprehensive book is the first substantial review of research in retail geography and suggests many future lines of research within the field. Originally published 1980.

Routledge Library Editions: Retailing and Distribution brings together as one set, or individual volumes, groundbreaking retail studies from the field of human geography. Encompassing town and retail planning, marketing geography, the development of shopping centres and the rise of consumerism, this set is an opportunity to purchase previously out-of-print classics from a variety of academic imprints such as Croom Helm and Methuen.

Should I advertise on TV? Is print dead? Should I work with an influencer? Should I promote my product through Facebook and Instagram ads? What about TikTok? How do brands get shoppers to say "yes" in an increasingly complex, fragmented and fast-changing world? Constant change, rapid innovation, category disruptors, rising shopper expectations and new access to goods and services have made consumers and shoppers incredibly adept at wading through oceans of research and information. Before making a purchase decision, your brand's target consumer is a shopper. With more choices than ever before, shoppers are becoming increasingly promiscuous, opening themselves up to new brands, products and shopping channels. In Influencing Shopper Decisions, the authors are market researchers who reveal how brands can help shoppers say "yes" by better understanding consumer decision-making. By tracking the evolution of the shopper mindset from the First Moment of Truth to Google's infamous ZMOT, the authors outline a new paradigm for shopping behavior that focuses on shopper needs, priorities and context. Whether you're a CPG brand marketer, digital media company or small business owner, Influencing Shopper Decisions provides an unparalleled understanding of the shopper mindset and the keys to unlocking it. After explaining the forces that drive consumer decision-making, the authors outline key insights and strategies that marketers can use to maintain relevancy and grow engagement with consumers.

Basing shopper marketing strategy on customer insights is what differentiates market leading retail brands from weaker competitors. Many retail organizations lack business development and strategic departments that collect experiences, set benchmarks and create models and manuals. Retail Marketing Strategy makes the information available to drive new ways of thinking and make retail practice more agile for everyone. Outlining the five key capabilities required for retail excellence, namely in-store execution; organizational development; fact-driven decision making; multi-channel operations, and understanding customers, Retail Marketing Strategy answers some of the most difficult questions in retail including how to innovate to develop new ways to interact with customers across multiple channels, and how to replicate online success stories from other sectors. Practical steps are put forward for collating and interpreting the data generated in shopper activity, helping to make sense of trends and build effective strategy. Guidance is based throughout on neuromarketing research, providing a clear framework for building in experiential elements such as scent or music into the retail environment to really engage with consumers on an emotional level. If you are a marketing, branding or supply chain professional working in retail seeking straightforward and research-driven techniques for building lasting customer loyalty, or you are responsible for driving retail strategy in your organization, let Retail Marketing Strategy be your guide.

Written by experienced retailers, Merchandising Mathematics for Retailing, 5/e introduces students to the essential principles and techniques of merchandising mathematics, and explains how to apply them in solving everyday retail merchandising problems. Instructor- and student-friendly, it features clear and concise explanations of key concepts, followed by problems, case studies, spreadsheets, and summary problems using realistic industry figures. Most chapters lend themselves to spreadsheet use, and skeletal spreadsheets are provided to instructors within the Instructor's Manual. This edition is extensively updated to reflect current trends, and to discuss careers from the viewpoint of working professionals. It adds 20+ new case studies that encourage students to use analytic skills, and link content to realistic retail challenges. This edition also contains a focused discussion of profitability measures, and an extended discussion of assortment planning.

Develop a winning customer experience in the digital world Luxury consumers are changing - they come from all over the world, they are young and they are digital natives. How can luxury brands that have built themselves as pure physical players adapt their business model and practices to address their expectations without abandoning their luxury DNA? Luxury Retail and Digital Management, 2nd Edition sets focus on the major retailing challenges and customer evolutions luxury brands are facing today: the digitalisation and the emergence of the millennials and Chinese luxury consumers. These major changes have been affecting the distribution and communication channels of luxury brands; they now have to think simultaneously physical stores and e-commerce, global marketing and digital marketing. - Defines all the tools that are necessary to manage luxury stores including analysis of location and design concept - Explores the selection, training and motivation of the staff - Covers everything executives, managers and retail staff need to know in order to enter, expand, understand and succeed in the world of luxury retail Written by luxury retail experts Michel Chevalier and Michel Gutsatz, who lend their solid academic credentials and professional expertise to the subject, Luxury Retail and Digital Management, 2nd Edition provides deep insight into the main challenges that luxury brands are facing in this digital age.

Boosting retail sales is more important than ever. Stand out in a global, digital marketplace, grow customer loyalty and evolve your brand by leveraging the power of semiotics online and in physical stores. Practical, accessible and based on 20 years of global marketing experience, Using Semiotics in Retail shows retailers of all sizes how to upgrade and empower their marketing, today and for the future. Discover step-by-step how to recognise and design for emerging consumer needs and create meaningful shopper experiences. Learn how to surprise and delight consumers, increase engagement and make shopping easier for everyone. It features case studies and examples from Unilever, Freshippo, H&M, Google, Toyota and many more. Using Semiotics in Retail shares game-changing marketing insights in categories such as FMCG, fashion, technology and entertainment, drawn from China, India, Mexico, the US and the UK. The book is supported by online resources that include templates and interactive exercises. Using Semiotics in Retail equips readers with a set of powerful tools which readers can use straight away to create engaging and successful retail marketing.

Bridging the gap between current merchandising math textbooks and retail buying textbooks, "The Fundamentals of Retail Buying with Merchandising Math" incorporates both buying philosophies and merchandising math. The text's problem-based method of learning incorporates questions and problems that train the reader to "think" like a buyer and encourage group collaboration and critical thinking. Simulated exercises mimic real-life buying responsibilities. Additionally, the order of the chapters and content within each chapter mimic the training of an assistant buyer in a corporate buying office. Providing a full, broad view of the retail buyer's role, the text also includes the key merchandising math formulae that is the basis of all retail buying analysis.

This provocative and candid book goes behind the scenes to reveal the secret of success behind a number of leading UK retailers. It includes in-depth case studies on John Lewis, Selfridges, Carphone Warehouse, Odd bins, Topshop, B&Q and HMV and unique insight from a number of top retail analysts and commentators. It challenges conventional wisdom and makes the case that what the retailer stands for (the brand) is more important than what is sold (the merchandise). Targeted at anyone involved, or simply interested, in retail selling, this important book will help you become a better, smarter retailer in an increasingly competitive and changing world. It will give you the perspective and the retail branding tools to make a difference, whatever your level.

The Covid-19 pandemic has dramatically changed retailing, creating an uncertain scenario that has forced marketers, retailers, and policy makers to face new challenges to survive and thrive. These challenges affect all aspects of retailing, from supply chain management to consumers' shopping experience, and from buying decisions to improving health and safety management for all stakeholders. A lot has been to do about the negative consequences of the pandemic on sales, mainly for traditional bricks-and-mortar retailers and small-scale independent shops. However, quite some retailers have demonstrated a remarkable agility in developing and applying new tools, frameworks, and approaches to secure their longevity, while also safeguarding employees' and consumers' safety. Retail In A New World: Recovering From The Pandemic That Changed The World provides an overview and assessment of the issues and opportunities for retailers that emerged during the Covid-19 pandemic. The book encourages readers to adopt future-facing, fresh approaches to retail management. The basis for guiding readers in this endeavour consists of a thorough synthesises of emerging studies on the dramatic consequences of Covid-19 pandemic, in an accessible way. Seeking to understand how retailers can adapt their strategies, this book presents empirical and theoretical contributions with case studies that illustrate innovative and provocative solutions. Retail In A New World proposes tools and frameworks that serve as basis to survive the pandemic and thrive in a post-pandemic scenario. New practices are introduced to ensure a safer shopping experience, including reducing consumers' anxiety about in-person purchases, more efficient management of crowds in the stores, and adopting new technologies and service scripts to support the change.