Limited use of containers; government intervention in the control of deliveries; the creation of a National Pallet Pool; the development of automated warehousing; these are some of the developments in physical distribution which are seen likely to happen, in varying degrees, by a number of...

The formulation of a retail strategy involves defining the external areas, such as markets and competition; and internal sectors, which include finance, merchandising and logistics. The company must then decide on whether to adopt a market‐based or a competitive‐based strategy; it should...

Continued inflation at a high rate for some time seems to be inescapable. In this situation management must bring ever closer attention to bear on the issue of cost control, and particularly cost‐benefit analyses of their operations. One activity likely to come under close scrutiny is that of...

Arguably the largest investment any retail distribution company can make is to open a new location. In a current situation where opening a new superstore can cost in the region of £1–£1½m, it is clearly vital to identify and examine all the factors involved in such a decision. The writer...

In Dr Walters' last article (RDM, Nov/Dec), he discussed deficiencies in current approaches to site location. A Retailing Unit System was discussed in the context of a total systems approach whereby the retail unit system becomes part of a larger environmental system, which considers the needs...

In this analysis of a progressive Co‐op society—Cambridge & District Co‐operative Society Ltd—one characteristic which clearly emerges is that of an integrated management system which uses modern management techniques to maximise its success. Contribution accounting has been found most...

As every householder knows to his cost, do‐it‐yourself methods are essential in these straitened times. The “hardware” shop stuffed with odd planks of wood, “pounds” of nails and drawers filled with every conceivable size of washer has been replaced by the streamlined “home...

Perhaps the most controversial feature of the UK retailing scene over the past few years has been the emergence of the hypermarket; the principal company concerned has been Carrefour, who will shortly open their fourth unit at Minworth, near Sutton Coldfield. Carrefour's senior management...

Dixons' company policy is totally marketing oriented, with finance playing a supporting role. During 1975/76 total sales were over £126m, of which Dixons were £69m and Westons £57m, and the group has expanded tenfold since 1971. There are now over 400 stores, compared with only 180 in 1971....

Customer account profitability can provide a much clearer understanding of the relative profitability of all customers; and the use of it may well prompt a company to seek a more cost effective distribution channel. This is the first of a series of articles in which CAP will be discussed; this...