International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management

Dibb, Sally

1992 International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management

doi: 10.1108/09590559210014000

Reports on research which uses secondary information and anextensive telephone survey to consider whether existing approaches tosegmenting installers garages reflect current customer needs andbuying patterns. Examines alternative ways of segmenting the market,along with ramifications for applying segmentation in industrialmarkets. Manufacturers of car parts are concerned that customer needsare satisfactorily met through the variety of UK installer types. Inthis, as in other industries, market segmentation is seen as importantto ensure that customers receive an appropriate mix of product andservice benefits.

Hill, Roger M.

1992 International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management

doi: 10.1108/EUM0000000002964

Many retail chains allow stock transfers to take place betweenbranches. Considers the special case where one branch, out of stock of aparticular line, faced with a customer wanting that specific product andunable to obtain it in a sufficiently short period of time through thenormal distribution channels, obtains it from another branch in thechain. Argues that this process can be managed and controlled moreeffectively than is often the case at present, particularly if branchaccess is made available to central databases.

Brownlie, D.T.; Lemond, K.A.

1992 International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management

doi: 10.1108/09590559210013984

Reflects on developments in the mid to late 1980s, which sawbooming trading conditions for the retailing sector, and none more sothan electrical goods retailing which underwent many changes both to thestructure of the industry and the way it went about its business.Describes the circumstances that led to these developments and theresults that were achieved. Sets out to consider what might be learntfrom the experience of electrical goods retailing in the 1980s thatmight be of value in the 1990s.

Sparks, L.

1992 International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management

doi: 10.1108/09590559210013993

Retail employment is of considerable importance both to thoseemployed and those employing. The scale of retail employment in terms ofnumbers and costs has ensured its central place in retail managementtasks. The sheer size of the retail employment sector, nationally andinternationally, makes it of interest to governments and academics.However, retail employment is not a simple issue and supply and demandpressures affect its levels and remunerations. Advances in managementand retail operations have attempted to restructure retail employment inrecent years.

Alexander, Nicholas; Morlock, William

1992 International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management

doi: 10.1108/09590559210014028

Explores the future development of the big five UKgrocery retailers and their response to the challenges of the nextdecade. Presents the results of a survey of manufacturers, analysts andretailers, in which saturation and internationalization are the keythemes. Recounts how UK grocery retailers have not been in the forefrontof international retail activity both nonfood UK retailers, andcontinental European food retailers, have established strongerinternational profiles. Suggests that the prospect of a saturated UKgrocery market faces the big five, and addresses thequestion when will opportunities in the UK become marginal, and howwill retailers react to that prospect