'Concentration and competition in the retail sector, c1800-1990' in M W Kirby & M B Rose (eds), Business Enterprise in Modern Britain from the Eighteenth to the Twentieth Century

Notes:

Chapter contributing to a textbook. Largely concerns the industry from the late 19th century to 1939 and especially in the interwar years, dealing in particular with structure and operation. Reassesses three aspects that have dominated historical debate on retail development: 1] dating and speed of transition from itinerant and market trading to shop retailing; 2] comparative importance of large scale retailers - eg department stores, etc - vis a vis independent family businesses; 3] 'implication of changes in business structure for competitive strategies, operational efficiency and consumer interests'. Central to the analysis is an attempt to explain why the retail sector - in outlet numbers and market shares - has been dominated by relatively small, family businesses. Sections include: 'Itinerants, markets and growth of shops'; 'Emergence and impact of large scale retailing'; 'Limits to growth 1 - supply side considerations'; 'Limits to growth 2 - market imperfections'; 'Post war developments'