The Grocers

In a fascinating account of this phenomenal growth, The Grocers reveals the stories behind the impressive development of today's international household supermarket names. It shows how their individual and intertwined histories are full of unique characters, surprising incidents and unpredictable twists of fortune.

With unrivalled access to the top decision-makers in all the leading companies, the authors describe and analyse the strategies, organization and cultures that have made the supermarkets what they are today: Tesco, Sainsbury's, Safeway, Marks & Spencer, Asda/Wal-Mart

As well as the industry giants, the authors cover the ‘second tier' chains in Britain, including Waitrose, Morrison and Somerfield, and the European main players, such as Carrefour, Ahold and Aldi.

In this fully updated second edition Andrew Seth and Geoffrey Randall examine the role of the supermarkets in society against the background of the Competition Commission report. This edition includes new coverage on Wal-Mart's decisive move into the UK market and analysis of the effect and future of e-tailing.

Now an international business, supermarket retailing has evolved as a consumer market in its own right. The Grocers provides everyone interested in modern retailing with definitive insights and will hold unparalleled interest for retailers themselves, their suppliers and manufacturers.

Contents

• Introduction
• The Tesco story
• The Sainsburry's strory
• The Asda story
• The Safeway story
• The Mark & Spencer story
• The second tier in Britain
• The market in Europe
• The market in the United States
• The lessons kearned
• New ways of shopping, the Internet and all that jazz
• Winners and losers nin the retailed revolution
• Future challenges
• Appendix
• References
• Index