30 years of retail change: where (and how) do you shop?

Abstract:Purpose – To investigate the extent of retail change in the UK grocery sector over the last 30 years.Design/methodology/approach – In 1980 a press article by Richard Milner andPatience Wheatcroft attempted to anticipate retail change by 1984. Taking that as atemplate we examine how retail did, in fact, change over a much longer timescale:with some unanticipated innovations in place even by 1984. We are assisted byacademic research in progress at the time on grocery retailing and which has recentlybeen revisited.Findings – Although Milner and Wheatcroft tackled the modest task of looking aheadjust four years, the content of their article is intriguingly reflective of the retail structure and systems of the UK at the time. Whilst some innovations were notanticipated, the broad themes of superstore power and market regulation still command attention 30 years on.Originality/value – Through reconsidering 30 years of retail change we highlight thatwith time how do you shop has come to pose at least as interesting a question aswhere do you shop.