One of the reasons for the dramatic growth of the mini‐computer market is the realisation on the part of retail managements in both small and large companies that this type of equipment is versatile, powerful and relatively cheap. In this article Mike Eccles defines a mini, discusses the...

The 1975 Social Security Pensions Act introduces fundamental changes in the scope and pattern of State pensions, and provides the main framework for the development of occupational schemes for some time to come. The arguments for and against contracting‐out are complex, but employers must give...

Newcastle's Eldon Square, in the heart of the city's commercial centre, opened early last year after a favourable response from would‐be retail tenants. With over 1.6 million sq ft of gross floorspace, it is Capital & Counties' largest development in the UK. The Centre was discussed from a...

Debenhams expansion in recent months has been noteworthy; store extensions and modernisations presage significant future development. Present and anticipated expansion of turnover has posed distribution problems, so Debenhams approached Butler's Warehousing & Distribution for solutions.

Better information on movement of items; information on results of pro‐motions; direct input into ordering system; information to help with staff allocation—these are some of the objectives sought by management in the installation of an NCR automatic price look‐up system at an Irma store...

Although America has often—or even usually—been the breeding ground for new ideas in retailing, it is not always necessary to go that far to see retailing methods which will become the norm in the future in the more “advanced” European countries.

Credit cards are now widely accepted by the public, and in recent years some retailers have introduced their own. This secures customer loyalty, but can be a costly system to administer. MCS have developed a new service designed to overcome operational problems and to help retailers promote...

The stockmarket was broadly pleased with the budget and consumer shares should do well following the modest reflationary implications of income tax cuts. Obviously the full benefits, in the form of a reduction in the standard rate of tax from 35% to 33%awaits the successful outcome of...

Dixons' company policy is totally marketing oriented, with finance playing a supporting role. During 1975/76 total sales were over £126m, of which Dixons were £69m and Westons £57m, and the group has expanded tenfold since 1971. There are now over 400 stores, compared with only 180 in 1971....

Maintaining stock levels at an uneconomic point, an absence of merchandising skills at top management, using EDP without proper planning — all these are defects which Dr. Ellsworth sees at management level in his review of the performance of the American retail sector last year. He does not...