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It seems that as far as analysing sales data and physical distribution is concerned, the technological changes of the new few years will affect speed and accuracy of information. It also seems that no manufacturer or retailer can afford to overlook the possible benefits of these developments and not weigh them up against the costs. Donald Harris joined Tesco 15 years ago from International Computers and Tabulators (now ICL) where he was in charge of a programming section. His first appointment was as computer manager with responsibility for setting up and running Tesco's computer department. In 1970, he was appointed a Director of Tesco Stores Ltd, and acquired additional responsibilities covering distribution of goods throughout the country. In June 1977, Mr Harris became the Chairman of the Article Numbering Association.

The benefits and drawbacks of sub‐contracting distribution are reviewed. The financial aspects of the decision, whether sub‐contracting is to be wholly adopted or in part, are discussed together with the implications for management.

The concept of Direct Product Profitability (DPP) is not new. The idea of being able to establish the individual contribution to profitability of each product by identifying costs of transport, shelf‐space, overheads and man‐hours has been around for some years. But the analysis has, up to now, been costly and time‐consuming — and has all too often finished up in the hands of data processing people who failed to appreciate its importance as a retail tool. Now, thanks to advanced technology — notably the PC — it's possible for the retailer to do the job himself, and compare rapidly and accurately the performance of one line against another. He can formulate his merchandising policy on a basis of being able clearly to identify products which are “sleepers” or “losers”, “winners” or “underachievers”. And he will be assisted in the job with the development, by the Institute of Grocery Distribution, of the first unified DPP model in the UK, announced early in March. In January an international workshop on DPP, under the auspices of the CIES, was held in Paris. It is apparent that the technique is being followed as enthusiastically on the continent as it is here; national models have been developed in both France and Germany, and it will be the function of the CIES to harmonise these with the UK model.

The purpose of this bibliographical essay is to provide a critical description of the information sources available for biographical research in U.S. librarianship — both current and retrospective. It also will provide some commentary on the state of the art and on the needs for the future. This essay is the result of my own involvement as a member of the Editorial Board for the Dictionary of American Library Biography.

Do employers have an inalienable right to look over employees' shoulders as they work on PCs and access the Internet?

Tesco, Gateshead metropolitan borough council and the University of Newcastle have developed a computer‐aided shopping service aimed at bringing the advantages of the superstore to those people who are either housebound or confined to shopping in a local area. The service is based in a branch library in an inner city neighbourhood and uses modern point of sale equipment to effect the ordering and delivery of goods, and Prestel to provide information about both shopping opportunities and matters of local community concern. Bob Davies describes the philosophy behind it and how this pilot scheme has developed practically.