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What is the future for retail software? David Freestone's view is that suppliers will continue to orientate their software towards specific merchandise areas and types of retailer, instead of trying to be all embracing. And more retailers will make their own systems available to others.

Systems Control Technology, an American subsidiary of BP has developed a solution to the problem of making the most of buying opportunities when price cuts and other promotions are offered. David Freestone reports on how the scheme works.

The key to the control of fashion stocks is the ability to identify slow‐sellers early — but the key word here is the company's definition of “slow‐seller”. David Freestone describes how a pilot study with a London fashion retailer helped to determine whether there is a “company retail life” for each of the ranges merchandised.

Two main trends can be distinguished in retail software developments during 1988. After six years of major developments, the number of new packages released for warehouse operations fell by 47% (Table 1). Conversely, the steady production of distribution packages in the early to mid‐1980s almost stopped in 1987, only to be followed in 1988 with the largest number ever released (Table 2). David Freestone looks at the new offerings that were made available during the year

There are a number of variations in payment schemes which companies can apply: a system related to productivity might pay commission, either individual or group. Then there are lump‐sum bonuses and other forms of incentive. David Freestone's conclusion is that there is no perfect remuneration system, but the key must be simplicity, both in understanding and operation.

David Freestone investigates the most important development in shelf edge pricing to emerge in recent years. He finds that its applications are far‐reaching and have major advantages for retailers.

Harvey Nichols, one of London's major department stores, has embarked on a programme that will eliminate paper from their information system, and make data available to all levels of management through the use of Viewdata television.

Information technology is not a solution, it is a tool which can be used to handle business problems, according to one of the speakers at a recent conference on warehouse and distribution software organised by the National Materials Handling Centre. Speakers came from a wide range of organisations — supplier companies, food distributors, and retailers such as Marks & Spencer.

In order to obtain speedy management information, management may either use the services of a computer bureau, or install their own computerised system. Our writer takes the view that one system — the Hoskyns Retail Trading System — meets the needs of a wider range of retailers.

Talk around Britain's application to enter the European Economic Community goes on; it has never really ceased since the first occasion of the French veto, although in the last year or so, the airy promise of the first venture has given way to more sober thoughts on the obstacles to joining and the severe burdens to be carried not only by the British people but by many of our kith and kin beyond the seas if the country becomes a full member of the Community.