Retail and Distribution Management

Worthington, Steve

1988 Retail and Distribution Management

doi: 10.1108/eb018372

One of the features of the current renaissance and rejuvenation of Glasgow, is that it has recently seen the opening of two speciality shopping centres, The Briggait and Princes Square. Speciality shopping is concerned with raising the status of shopping from a chore to a recreation and leisure pursuit and as such the focus of interest lies both in the tenant mix and in the environmental and building features which provide the right ambiance for this style of shopping. This article looks at the criteria for success of speciality shopping centres using as examples The Briggait and the Princes Square developments and considering not only the location, tenant mix and rental policy but also the critical aspects of market research, centre management and first impressions.

Rogers, David

1988 Retail and Distribution Management

doi: 10.1108/eb018373

In this third in a series of columns on various aspects of American retailing, David Rogers looks at supermarkets, discount office supplies, customer service and consumer electronics, amongst other things. David Rogers was one of the speakers at the Food Marketing Institute's Annual Convention in Chicago in May he gave a presentation on niche marketing.

Reynolds, Jonathan

1988 Retail and Distribution Management

doi: 10.1108/eb018374

It is rare for a single store opening in Warrington, northwest England, to arouse concern amongst UK retailers. However, when that store is a 182,000 sq ft outlet for the Swedish furniture and home furnishings retailer IKEA, representing the Company's first foray into the UK market, the disquiet becomes understandable. IKEA have established an enviable reputation for combining competitive pricing with high quality merchandise, within an attractive store setting. IKEA's high level of customer service is wellknown and contrasts with the current practices of many flatpack retailers in the UK. The Company's apparent ability to translate similar store formats and product ranges internationally, whilst encouraging a certain degree of product sourcing from within the host country, is effective. These features are derived from a corporate culture and spirit personally driven, until recently, by the Company's founder, Ingvar Kamprad. This article reviews the history of IKEA, its level of international representation, its marketing and presentational style.

Ody, Penelope

1988 Retail and Distribution Management

doi: 10.1108/eb018375

Developing a new supermarket these days is expensive. Very expensive. With initial investment in the site alone often as much as 10 million, no company can afford to pick the wrong location. The need to improve siting techniques is the driving force behind Argyll's current investment in an impressive and extensive database, but the Company believes its use will extend far beyond the Store Research Department.

Willmott, Adrian

1988 Retail and Distribution Management

doi: 10.1108/eb018376

This article discusses two main themes why choose a package approach for distribution software and how do you select the right one for your company The purpose of this paper is to provide an objective way of guiding companies through the jungle of the distribution software market. It is an abridged version of a paper presented to the Warehouse & Distribution Software Conference put on by the National Materials Handling Centre, in London in February.