Synopses & Reviews
The Grocers is an authoritative history and analysis of the British supermarket industry, completely updated in this new edition. It describes the fiercely competitive struggle between the major players and analyses the successes and failures of well-known brands. It tells the continuous story of Britain's undoubted winner, Tesco, who is dominant in its home market and increasingly successful in international markets such as the USA, and Asda, owned by Wal-Mart, the biggest retailer in the world.
The book examines the main players in the ever-changing European market and the Wal-Mart dominated USA market. The authors identify the key factors behind success so far and the qualities that will be needed to survive and win in this evolving industry. Highlighting internet shopping and other "new ways of shopping," The Grocers discusses how challengers such as Ocado, an internet-only retailer, will create new challenges for existing companies.
The third edition covers the extensive developments that have revolutionized the grocery trade in the last 10 years, including regional players taking over established, global brands. Moreover, it examines current issues such as retailing in a recession, the rise of the hard discounters, and increasing international competition.
Review
"The emergence and growth of the grocery business - its evolution into supermarkets, warehouse clubs, convenience stores, supercenters and discounters - with the changing consumer patterns of shopping and eating - is one of the big business stories of our time." -
Kenneth Roman, Former Chairman and CEO, Ogilvy and Mather, New York"...Authors Andrew Seth & Geoffrey Randall present an intriguing study of how this stores dominance affects the business world as a whole...very highly recommended." -Midwest Book Review
Review
"The Grocers is a terrific story compellingly told; the growth of the world retailers is well portrayed." -Niall Fitzgerald, Chairman, Unilever plc, London
Review
"This is initially a series of racy adventure stories, but beyond them it offers a hardheaded analysis of recent performance and projected trends in the retail sector." - Michael Winstanley, Business History
Synopsis
The Grocers is an authoritative history and analysis of the supermarket industry, completely up-dated in this new edition. The book describes the fierce competitive struggle between the major players, and includes a summary of the main players in Europe and the USA. Seth and Randall draw lessons about the key factors behind success so far, and the qualities that will be needed to survive and win in future.
Synopsis
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.
About the Author
Geoffrey Randall is a leading marketing consultant with expertise in the supermarket industry. He is a graduate of the Harvard Business School's International Teachers Program. Together with Andrew Seth, he is the author of The Grocers (now in its 3rd edition) and Supermarket Wars (2005).Andrew Seth is a marketing practitioner and Board Chairman of the Added Value agency. He is also an expert commentator on the supermarket industry. Seth is a graduate of the Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program. Along with Geoffrey Randall, he is the author of The Grocers (now in its 3rd edition) and Supermarket Wars (2005). Table of Contents
ForewordAcknowledgements
1. Tesco
Every little helps
Online selling
Diversification
Sourcing
International strategy
Going local
Retail services
Corporate social responsibility
Future performance
The conclusion
2. Asda
Diversification: the George brand
Sustainability
3. Sainsbury's
Strategy
Conclusion
4. Morrisons
5. Waitrose
Marketing
6. The second tier
Failing heritages
Cheap if not yet cheerful: Aldi, Lidl, Netto, the hard discounters
Strong niche players
7. The market in Europe
European markets: retailers looking outwards
National frameworks in Europe
The European companies
Format development in Europe
The importance of the family
Governments and legislation
Building brands
Germany
France
Spain
The Netherlands and Belgium
Summary: European strengths and weaknesses
A comparison of continental Europe with the UK
The outlook
8. Contrasting fortunes in the United States
Kroger
Privately-owned retail businesses
Wal-Mart
Sustainability and corporate social responsibility
9. The internet and other new ways of shopping
Why should new ways of shopping be needed?
What do we mean by 'new ways of shopping'?
What do consumers want?
What are retailers offering?
Ocado
The future
10. Supermarkets, society and sustainability
Consumers
Diet, health and the price of food
Food quality and safety
Supermarkets and the town centre
Climate change and sustainability
The effect on suppliers
11. Conclusions
References
Index