The Grocers: The Rise and Rise of Supermarket Chains

by Andrew Seth, Geoffrey Randall

Retailing has been the most dynamic sector of industry over the past 20 years and supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Safeway, M&S, Walmart, Aldi and Lidl have led the way in growth, operating efficiencies and profitability. With unrivalled access to the top decision-makers in all the leading companies, The Grocers describes and analyses the strategies, organization and cultures that have made the supermarkets what they are today.

With a forward by former Asda CEO Allan Leighton, this fully updated third edition of The Grocers also includes material on the rise of online retailing, the success of the hard discount chains and the influence of environmental issues on consumer attitudes and behaviour. Retailers, managers and students can all learn from the secrets of success it contains, and the pitfalls to avoid.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Business

208 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1999

Reviews

[Hendrik Borginon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the 2010 edition. I had hoped for more of a comprehensive history of how the modern supermarket model developed in the UK over the past century. The bulk of the book's focus (especially in the earlier chapters which discuss each of the major chains) is instead on the recent history from the 80s on and only briefly hints at earlier events.

The book feels quite dated. This is highly noticeable when the authors discuss the 'new' trend towards convenience stores or their lack of faith in the German discounters, Aldi and Lidl. There are certainly some insightful parts, particularly towards the end. On the whole however it's a rather dry collection of facts.

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got the book primarily for some more history on grocery chains. While written in the UK in 2005, it does cover the US market too. Some of the studies are a bit dated as they are from the late 1990’s, but the topics in the later chapters were just as relevant today.

1. 1996 Coca-Cola Retailing Research Group study that suggest eight drivers that lead to new ways of food shopping

2. Possibilities of online shopping. Presented an interesting matrix perspective of the multiple combinations of where shoppers are ORDERING and where shoppers are RECEIVING.

3. A 1996 cost study of remote grocery shopping and profit.

[Reza Ruyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great primer into the history of the food retail channel in UK, Europe, & US. A must read for those in the FMCG distribution & retail business.