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In our last issue we published the first half of this paper, originally prepared for the Distributive Trades EDC by Jan de Somogyi. The first section discussed marketing strategies; in this second part the writer is concerned with distribution as part of a social infra‐structure shaping the urban social landscape—an infra‐structure currently threatened by economic pressures. The need for a national, bi‐partisan policy towards retailing is stressed, and for an appreciation of its dual marketing and social functions; at national level there should be co‐ordination between government departments whose policies affect retailing; and at local and regional level there should be greater co‐ordination of decisions affecting retailing.

Retail planning is more complex than some retailers imagine; its success depends upon policies about goods, prices and peole. Strategies such as store location, market segmentation, shop design or format innovation are only the means to the end. And how does UK retailing compare with its counterpart on the continent? The last few years on the continent have seen the rapid growth of hypermarkets, novel formats, multi‐national networks, and town centre redevelopment. Yet UK retailers are still, broadly speaking, much more profitable. Jan de Somogyi presented this paper to the Chief Executive Meeting of the International Association of Department Stores in Rapallo earlier this year.

By international standards, British retailers are relatively efficient. However, their performance could be threatened both by the present recession and by the growing complexity of central and local planning and regulations. Neither is the economic role of retailing in terms of marketing adequately understood by central and local government, nor its social role in the infra‐structure of community services. In this important paper, originally prepared for the Distributive Trades EDC, Jan de Somogyi recommends, amongst other things, that there should be a positive national policy towards retailing, and co‐ordination between government departments implementing it; that national strategies to restructure manufacturing industry must not be at the expense of efficient marketing; that the right kind of capital investment in retailing should be encouraged; and that development planning should be speeded up. This first part of the paper deals with marketing strategies; the second will discuss the social infra‐structure.

“Physical and Human Dimensions of Growth” was the title of the first part of this paper, published in our last issue. In the following pages the writer concerns himself with the responsibility of the retailer to society in a wide sense — in terms of store location, shop design, multi‐national retailing and in terms of its economic contribution. Throughout the paper Jan de Somogyi stresses identity of interest rather than friction and conflict in human relations. The paper is published by kind permission of the Manchester Statistical Society, from whom copies may be obtained.

The domination of people's working lives by machines, the deterioration of the environment, the inhumanity of conveyor‐belt production — all are factors which threaten the quality of life. Must retailing, with its tendency towards large‐scale operations, massive merchandising, and a diminishing reliance on personal service, slavishly follow the same pattern? Jan de Somogyi's contention is that this need not happen; his theme sets out how to combine the benefits of economies of scale with good personal communications and the policies in which each individual is important. It is an attempt to discuss one of the most crucial issues of our complex technological society through the eye of a retailer. This is a slightly abridged version of a paper originally read to the Manchester Statistical Society, which we are publishing (with their kind permission) in two parts. The second part to be published will discuss the question of social dimensions.

Examines Marks & Spencer (M & S), and its St Michael brand’s marketing philosophy – which right from its earliest days has been motivated by an all‐embracing philosophy. States that, during the last 30 years, M & S have developed a technological approach to marketing – they have built up a team of qualified technologists at head office to help suppliers ensure better, more consistent quality and lower prices. Stresses M & S’s adherence to quality, for both customers and staff, and how it is visible to both. Sums up that marketing depends on producers' and distributors' co‐operation – both partners contributing within their capabilities.

Up till recently out of town retail warehouses have not been noted for their good looks, but this may change if the lead taken by a new electrical retailing venture is followed. ‘Ultimate’, the result of a tie up between Harris Queensway and Debenhams, is one of the first ‘sheds’ to be awarded the distinction of being designed, in the hope that its improved appearance and attention to merchandising will do for this store what they have undoubtedly achieved for the high street shops. Sue Sharpies looks at this new operation and examines the reasons behind its formation.

Examines the sixteenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects discussed include cotton fabric processing, asbestos substitutes, textile adjuncts to cardiovascular surgery, wet textile processes, hand evaluation, nanotechnology, thermoplastic composites, robotic ironing, protective clothing (agricultural and industrial), ecological aspects of fibre properties – to name but a few! There would appear to be no limit to the future potential for textile applications.

This purpose of the study was to examine the relevance of the presence of geographical information, specifically the certification of region of origin (ROO) on the wine label, in the consumer’s wine purchase decision. In addition, the research investigated how the relevance of ROO varies across demographic and behavioural market segments.

The data gathered via an online questionnaire from 434 South African wine consumers were analysed by employing both descriptive and inferential statistical methods.

The ROO of wine plays a secondary role in influencing consumers when faced with a purchasing decision on its own. However, as part of the composite regional variable, namely, grape variety, region and wine style, it plays a major role in influencing consumers. The specific wine grape variety emerged as the most important factor influencing consumers. It was also found that consumers with a high involvement and interest in wine assign a higher degree of relevance to certification of origin of wine than consumers with a low involvement.

Wine producers should strive to create a “lighthouse” identity in the minds of consumers. This can only be achieved if most, if not all, the wine producers in a specific geographical area consistently and authentically communicate the same message and offer products with a lighthouse identity to wine consumers.

This is the first study that examines the impact of ROO as an information cue on consumers’ wine purchase decision-making in South Africa. It is of value to academic researchers, wine marketing professionals and generic marketing organisations such as wine route organisations.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss web scraping as a method for extracting large amounts of data from online sources. The author wants to raise awareness of the method’s potential in the field of food price research, hoping to enable fellow researchers to apply this method.

The author explains the technical procedure of web scraping, reviews the existing literature, and identifies areas of application and limitations for food price research.

The author finds that web scraping is a promising method to collect customised, high-frequency data in real time, overcoming several limitations of currently used food price data sources. With today’s applications mostly focussing on (online) consumer prices, the scope of applications for web scraping broadens as more and more price data are published online.

To better deal with the technical and legal challenges of web scraping and to exploit its scalability, joint data collection projects in the field of agricultural and food economics should be considered.

In agricultural and food economics, web scraping as a data collection technique has received little attention. This is one of the first articles to address this topic with particular focus on food price analysis.