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 and Patience Wheatcroft attempted to anticipate retail change by 1984. Taking that as a template 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 by academic research in progress at the time on grocery retailing and which has recently been revisited. Findings – Although Milner and Wheatcroft tackled the modest task of looking ahead just 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 not anticipated, 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 that with time how do you shop has come to pose at least as interesting a question as where do you shop