Comparison between the retail revolutions in the UK and US Essay

Comparison between the retail revolutions in the UK and US - Essay Example Lao (2008) pointed that the transformation of economic sphere thru retail system generated both social acceptance and disdain because the development of chain stores have also marginalized the small retailers that lacked the capacity to offer first class convenience, a feature preferred by most consumers for comfort while shopping. Its adverse impact leads to the closure of small bookstores, eyewear, footwear and the like as branded goods enter the chain stores (Lao, 2008). This reality is true for United States of America (USA) and United Kingdom (UK). In the last four decades, the countries’ retail revolution boom with the influx of chain â€Å"stores, supermarkets and self-service stores† (Lao, 2008). The UK and the Retail Industry It’s just lately when UK retail trade is dominated by small shops run by the whole family which offers services to the market for long hours and sometimes round the clock. This system also engenders personal relations with customers as owners sometimes allow credit. Others employ salesmen for home delivery services or for mobile selling. Lao (2008) however pointed that retailer and consumer relations in the UK was affected when large chains like Fine Fare, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and other food stores started to operate with express leverage in bargaining power and in offering cheaper prices of pre-packed fresh goods in the markets compared to that of â€Å"old small proprietary stores.† As a consequence, old corner shop closed in favor of thriving convenient well-stocked stores.; employment shifted from proprietary to supermarket chains; and relationships were formalized by using checkout counter and digitized sales and accounting. Stores restructured and employed educated salespersons and managers. And as competition heightened, proprietary retailers and wholesalers organized themselves into association to devise their own promotions, pricing of products, and mechanism to retain customers. With these turn of events, it is likely that dominant chain will rise and proprietary stores die in the absence clear state policies that protect small retailers. This affirmed fears that with retail owners allying themselves to protect their corporate interests, the retail grocery will maintain its oligopolistic character (Burt &