The impact of internet adoption upon the shopping behaviour of island residents

Despite numerous studies of on-line shopping behaviour, the impact that the internet has had upon island communities remains largely unexplored. This is despite previous research highlighting the difficulties island residents encounter when attempting to access goods and services. This qualitative, exploratory research study interviews individuals across three UK island groups and examines the extent to which on-line provision has reconfigured the purchasing behaviour of local residents. The findings confirm that internet usage is widespread and that a broad range of products are purchased on-line. However the paper maintains that these findings underplay the significance of e-retailing. The internet has had a much more profound impact upon island consumers and the benefits that are derived from on-line availability extend beyond the reconfiguration of shopping patterns. The findings illustrate that the benefits that have accrued from internet adoption have fundamentally transformed the lives of many individuals. It has acted as a liberating mechanism that has positively impacted upon domestic undertakings and socio-cultural activities

Coping with Change: The Implications of e-Commerce Adoption for Island Consumers

This paper examines the implications of e-commerce for retailers on three Scottish island groups. These locations are amongst the most economically fragile regions of the UK. The extensive use of e-commerce by residents has reconfigured traditional shopping patterns. The paper argues that this pattern of spending represents a form of ‘trade leakage’ with increased monies being spent off the island. The reaction from local retailers to this threat appears limited. The paper highlights the consequences for the local economy and suggests a more proactive response is needed in order to meet the challenges posed by internet availability.&nbsp

Localism and the community shop

There has been considerable interest in recent years in the establishment of community retail enterprises; local shops owned and run by the local community often as an alternative to the closure of the last privately-owned shop in the area. Government efforts to give local communities more rights and powers, including a community right to bid for ‘assets of community value,' would seem to offer new opportunities for such enterprises. However, there are more barriers to the establishment and continued running of these enterprises than might appear at first sight. Community retail enterprises often need specific support from local and national organisations tailored to the different stages in their development if they are to fulfil their potential

The Impact of Community Co-operatives on Shopping Behaviour in Rural Communities in Scotland

This paper looks at the current position of the community retail co-operative sector in rural Scotland. It is an interesting and currently topical area of research as the Scottish Executive recently established a new agency, that will further promote co-operatives as a mechanism for increasing economic opportunities for all on a socially and environmentally sustainable basis

Rebranding a federation: Insights from the UK co-operative movement

This paper details the rebranding process undertaken by the UK co-operative movement and provides an understanding of the strategic issues involved in maintaining a coherent brand identity across a group of autonomous independent societies. The methodology uses previously unpublished and archive material from across the movement. This is followed by a series of structured interviews with Board Directors, senior management and individuals responsible for implementing the rebranding strategy. The rebranding exercise took almost ten years and the research identifies nine (non discrete) overlapping stages. The paper argues that while many parallels with can be drawn with the corporate rebranding literature, the need to achieve compromise and consensus combined with the independence of those participating, creates issues not detailed in previous academic studies

The trading profiles of community retail enterprises

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the key features of the community retail enterprises sector in the UK.Design/ methodology/ approach - This paper reports on the results of a postal questionnaire survey of 197 community retail enterprises. The information gathered from this survey was supplemented by visits to 21 of the shops run by these enterprises and short interviews with some ofthe shop staff.Findings - The community retail enterprise sector is growing very quickly, with a significant number of new shops opening every year in the UK. It is a very diverse sector that provides a wide range of goods and services, reflecting the desire to meet the needs of members and local residents. It is heavily dependent on the involvement of the local community, particularly as volunteers, but this can lead to other tensions around the role of the shop and the enterprise in general.Originality/ value - This paper provides an overview of an area of retailing that is growing in size and will be of interest to those involved in policy-making in rural areas

Consumer mobility in the Scottish isles: The impact of internet adoption upon retail travel patterns

While there have been numerous studies of on-line shopping behaviour, the impact of internet adoption upon island communities remains largely unexplored. This is despite the identified difficulties that are encountered when attempting to access goods and services in these peripheral economies. Limitations in the transport infrastructure, inconsistent supply and restricted availability have all been acknowledged as issues affecting local retail provision. Island residents have also traditionally been required to travel to the main town or mainland in order to shop for key items. This research study examines the extent to which on-line provision has reconfigured the mobility patterns of residents in the Scottish isles and whether e-commerce has reduced the propensity of individuals to undertake shopping related travel. The findings suggest that e-commerce has had only a modest impact upon consumer travel patterns and that other situational factors moderate the identified benefits that accrue from purchasing on-line

Challenges in the supply of perishable products to island communities

This paper examines the specific retail challenges associated with supplying island communities around the United Kingdom. It examines the main difficulties in supplying short shelf life products to both remote as well as larger urban island conurbations. Using a qualitative research methodology, the paper interviews individuals who have either strategic or operational responsibility for island retailing and supply. The research identifies a variety of factors that disproportionately influence the efficiency and effectiveness of a retailer’s operations. It also notes that island retailers operate under a significantly different cost base from that of a mainland operation. While national multiple retailers may choose to absorb this additional expense into their overall cost base, many local retailers have followed a conglomerate strategy and operate wholesale or multi service functions

Rural Retailing: a sector in decline?

Purpose – The paper reviews dynamic forms of rural retailing, by location, that have innovated through a mixture of actions leading to growth, adaptation, diversification and differentiation. Design/methodology/approach – Reviews relevant academic literature and draws upon contemporary policy-related material that details recent innovation within the sector. A rural retail typology by location is presented: retailing within market towns, village shops and stand-alone retailing forms (farm shops and speciality rural retail outlets). Findings – Since the nature together with form of what characterises dynamic and innovative rural retailing differs by location, the typology is based on the above schema. First, market towns have used growth and differentiation opportunities as strategic foci. Secondly, innovative village shops have applied strategies that seek to counter their structural weaknesses, harness the community and yield new revenue streams. Thirdly, the manner in which stand-alone retailing forms, such as farm shops together with speciality rural retail outlets, have grown and developed is reviewed. Practical implications – Reviewing dynamic forms of rural retailing allows for a greater understanding of the operational needs for success. Home (2002) cited a lack of relevant research. Examples are illustrated in Tables I and II. Originality/value – Stereotyping rural retailing is erroneous since marginalised enterprises are juxtaposed against more innovative forms. Contrary to perceptions of rural decline, the sector is multi-faceted with prospering sub-sectors. The paper focuses on these more dynamic and innovative forms of rural retailing. Much of the previous focus in this sector has been on negative issues and decline (Vias, 2004). A synthesis of the key contributory phenomena is presented (Table III