Retailers and deprivation: an exploratory study

Relationships between retailing and socio-economic deprivation have attracted academic and policy interest, notably focusing on health and diet (including 'food deserts') and retail-led regeneration. Recently, particularly after the economic downturn, declining high streets have been a concern. Yet as shop vacancies rose, especially in poorer neighbourhoods, expansion of certain trades perceived by some as anti-social became a concern: notably high-interest lenders and bookmakers operating high stakes gambling machines. Some suggest predatory motives and exploitation of the disadvantaged here, but with little evidence. This paper analyses locations of 'problematic' trades together with other businesses to establish the extent to which concentrations in deprived areas (defined by the English Index of Multiple Deprivation) exist. Several 'problematic' trades do appear concentrated in deprived areas, but so equally do conventional value retailers and poundshops. Areas for future research to clarify relationships are identified, but ultimately motive cannot be inferred from such analysis

An exploratory investigation of aberrant consumer behaviour in Libya: a sociocultural approach

Studies concerning aberrant consumer behaviour (ACB) are dominated by research conducted in the West. By examining the impact social and cultural factors have on the management and understanding of ACB in Libya, a Muslim country, this paper extends knowledge by exploring this issue in a different setting. Materials were collected by conducting in-depth interviews with 26 sellers in Libya and ACB was explored in three different contexts: grocery stores, computer stores and hotels. The study finds that the sellers use alternative marketplace behaviours to manage ACB to that described in the literature, namely informal, community based approaches which reflect accepted societal and cultural norms. Furthermore, the study finds that not all activities reported to be ACB in the literature are perceived to be misbehaviour by the Libyan sellers

Arabic social and cultural influences on aberrant consumer behaviour: an exploratory study of Libyan marketers

This paper examines the effect of Arabic social and cultural factors on adopting aberrant consumer behaviour (ACB) in Libya. The data was collected by conducting personal interviews with 26 marketers in Libya. The findings indicate that the Arabic social and cultural environment enforces some limitations on ACB control and prevention practices. These limitations have provided an opportunity for some Libyan consumers to engage in ACB. However, this paper goes on to explore some unique alternative ACB controlling and preventative practices used by Libyan marketers which are considered socially acceptable

Understanding the key drivers of and technology related issues associated with going multi-channel

A multi-channel retail strategy is viewed by many academics and practitioners to be the success model for most retailers. Yet, while there are many drivers of, and advantages related to, using multiple channels to sell products and services to customers likewise there are numerous technology-related issues. Despite this, the multi-channel retailing literature provides little empirical insight into these technology-related constraints. Moreover, there is a lack of multi-channel retailing research which explores the impetuses behind retailers adding new channels to go multi-channel, especially in the context of the UK retail sector. To contribute to gaps in the literature this study utilises a case study research strategy to examine the key motivations behind, and technology-related issues associated with, multi-channel retail strategic implementation, in the setting of the UK retail sector. Three UK based retailers (Boots, Screwfix and Bettys) are used which have different approaches to, and are at different stages of, adopting a multi-channel retail strategy. In addition, they have different backgrounds such as size, product range, sector and type. Consequently, the use of these three different retailers enables exploration of the drivers behind, and technological problems associated with, implementing a multi-channel retail strategy in the context of store and Internet/catalogue retailers. Case analysis reveals novel themes which are not identified, or not clearly recognised, in the literature. These include that key drivers behind retailers going multi-channel are to increase sales, and, meet the needs of the multi-channel shopper. Indeed, customers want to shop via multiple channels and therefore, these retailers have no choice but to go multi-channel if they are to meet customer needs. However, while at a strategic level these motivations were similar across the case study retailers, they also differed. For example, Screwfix added a store channel to enable customers to purchase products and receive them instantly. In contrast, Boots added an Internet channel to drive footfall in-store and increase store sales. Boots were also adding an Internet channel since it provided them with a marketing channel, which, going forward, was likely to replace other communications channels. The findings from this study also reveal that retailers encounter major technology-related issues when adding new, and using multiple, channels. These problems stem from the need to re-design existing logistics and IT infrastructure to offer a seamless, integrated offer to the customer. For instance, to leverage the brand and marketing mix consistently across all channels, and, to implement ‘click and collect’ (i.e. where customers purchase a product in one channel and collect it in another). Also, due to the need to use innovative marketing techniques, in particular, social media. Importantly, this study highlights that these technology-related multi-channel retailing constraints often have a ‘softer’ side. Technology-related problems are frequently intertwined with cultural, engagement and financial/staff resource related issues. This suggests a need for retailers to find entwined solutions to both technology and non- technology related issues to effectively implement a multi-channel retail strategy

Female career progression in retailing

Abstract: Purpose – The aim of this paper is to highlight the factors that limit and support female career progression in the retail industry. Design/methodology/approach – The research used a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Data were collected from employees and managers working in 31 stores belonging to national stores operating in the East Midlands as well as ten SME independent retailers based in the region. Findings – The women in this study can be categorised into those women who are not interested in pursuing a career in retail, those that seek promotion but have difficulties balancing the demands of their work and domestic circumstances and those who have actively pursued a career in the industry. Despite these categorisations, the study suggests that the career progression of all female staff is helped and hindered by a number of interrelating factors, such as whether they have a role model, are loyal to the store they work in or have children. Practical implications – It is proposed that career initiatives in retailing need to be more adaptable so that they take account of the different development needs of these three types of women. Originality/value – This is a large-scale study that uses a mixed method approach and considers the opinions of store staff working in a range of roles

GEM, 1964-1966: Britain's first out-of-town retailer

The view of successive waves of retail decentralisation provided by Schiller (1986) provides a powerful metaphor for out-of-town retail developments in the United Kingdom. Yet, even before the first wave of food superstores, there had been other examples of off-centre retailing of which the GEM store, which opened at West Bridgford, Nottingham in 1964, was the first. However, that store was a collection of licencees operating as a quasi-department store, rather than a true superstore or hypermarket. This paper investigates the GEM store through its planning and construction phases, and reflects on responses to its opening and experiences during the early period of trading, culminating in it being acquired by ASDA Stores in 1966. Attempts are made to assess local impacts, which, while somewhat hampered by scarce data resources, suggest that adverse effects were limited, and that local shopping provision has managed to prosper and diversify alongside the GEM/ASDA development. More recently, the site has become subject of major redevelopment proposals, and the planning processes associated with this newest phase are contrasted with those for the original store. The paper concludes that the original store concept and style of trading reflected the very different social, economic, legal and retail environments of the mid-1960s, although some themes (such as an early attempt to promote leisure retailing) have familiar echoes today. It seems that public concern, awareness, and influence over retail planning is far more sophisticated now than had been the case in the 1960s

Does software piracy always represent consumer misbehaviour?

This study aims to explore whether or not software piracy is perceived as consumer misbehaviour in Libya. Both qualitative and quantitative methods have been used; data were collected by interviewing 10 marketers and through a questionnaire surveying 219 Libyan consumers. The study found that almost all of the software in the Libyan market is copied in ways that would be considered illegal in Western societies but the marketers interviewed did not consider this as misbehaviour. Instead, some of them were actively encouraging consumers to adopt this pattern of behaviour. Also, nearly half (49.4%) of the sample had positive attitudes toward software piracy and 43% had an intention to conduct this behaviour. Furthermore, only 34% of consumers thought that software piracy is illegal, despite laws existing that protect intellectual property rights

Maximising women's potential in the UK's retail sector

Purpose – A defining characteristic of the UK retail sector is the high number of women it employs but there remains an enduring under-representation of women in its management positions. The majority of women in the industry work part-time and this paper explores the factors that impact upon the career progression. Approach – One thousand questionnaires were completed by store staff in three leading retailers supported by interviews with store staff and SME retailers in the UK’s East Midlands region. Findings – The study revealed continuing barriers to career progression for women working part-time in retailing. Despite family friendly employment policies becoming an increasingly important feature of modern work organisations, career progression was informed by a traditional concept of a career based on full-time working. Research Limitations - the study was limited to one sector, there is a need for further studies into women’s career progression in other sectors reliant on female employment. Practical implications - the findings have implications for promotion policies, training and development provision and line management practices if retailers are to maximise the potential of the women they employ. Originality/Value – The findings, based on both quantitative and qualitative data, suggest that retailing is an industry where a significant number of women are working below their potential despite organisational policies supportive of diversity and equality of opportunity

Attitudes towards shoplifting: a preliminary cross-cultural study of consumers

Shoplifting has a substantial impact on retailers, consumers and wider society, yet we know very little about people‟s attitudes towards this behaviour, especially from a non-Western perspective. A better understanding of consumer misbehaviour in Arabic countries would therefore be of particular interest as such societies represent a new market for global retailers. The aim of this paper, therefore, is to explore the initial results of consumers‟ attitudes towards shoplifting from a cross-cultural perspective. Preliminary analysis of 529 questionnaire responses from UK, US and Libyan consumers finds that attitudes towards shoplifting are broadly similar despite the different cultural and retail contexts. However, on closer inspection these findings suggest interesting disparities between the countries in relation to attitudes towards the consequences of shoplifting, the impact it has on the social networks of the perpetrator and whether the demographics of the shoplifter play a role in the decision to punish the offender