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Local shopping is a topic that has been neglected for many years by both retail researchers and policy makers. However, in recent years it has come on to the agenda again, mainly because a number of government policy areas – including social exclusion, regeneration and sector competitiveness – have recognised the vital community role played by small shops, and the problems of maintaining their vitality and viability. Within that context, introduces the special issue of IJRDM which presents a number of papers on the general theme of retailing for communities that were given at the CIRM Conference held in Manchester on 13 September 2002. They fall into three main groups: local shopping areas; business strategy and operations; and, learning, training and support for small retailers. The papers illustrate the diversity of research that needs to be undertaken in this area, and there are close parallels with work being undertaken in other management and social science disciplines.

Explores the economic advantages of superstore (food and non‐food) development especially to the consumer. Looks at the increasing difficulties facing superstore retailers and developers in the UK. Provides some recommendations for superstore retailers and developers. Concludes that superstore and retail parks enhance retail competition and thus are of benefit to the consumer.

Although formal techniques of locational analysis have been available for over 50 years, most retailers traditionally made no use of them, relying instead on intuition guided by experience and “common sense”. However, the simultaneous advent in the last 15 years of low cost computing and the increasing availability of retail related data of all types has given retailers the opportunity to take a much more rational approach to decision making. This paper examines the extent to which retailers have taken advantage of the potential released by these developments, and adopted more “scientific” rules based methodologies. The analysis is based on an extensive questionnaire survey of UK retailers conducted in 1998 which encompassed organisations operating altogether more than 50,000 outlets across eight sectors. The survey sought to identify the use made both of particular types of techniques, and of Geographical Information Systems, which act as a platform for them. It was complemented by a series of in‐depth interviews with location specialists in a number of major retail organisations.

The rapid development of retail management and marketing in research, theory and academic courses is reflected in this comprehensive collection on retail marketing.

Much of the existing literature on location does not address the problems faced by retail organizations at a strategic level, largely because it has tended to concentrate on the technical and policy issues relating to the evaluation and development of new sites. The reason for this lies largely in the geographic origins of most previous work, and while marketing has borrowed many of these concepts and approaches, it has not yet fully developed additional ones appropriate for a strategic management audience. Reviews research in the geography and marketing traditions, and builds on recently published work to outline two new conceptual models which serve to link strategic and monadic (individual site) decisions. Discusses the development of a more holistic perspective which underlines the strategic role of retail location and emphasizes key areas for research relevant to many of the issues currently facing retail organizations.

Assesses the likely impact of European legislation on the conduct of pharmacy business in Britian and Germany. Examines the range of (proposed) legislation and inferences drawn about its likely impact; compares the differing national systems for the regulation of pharmacies and considers the “fit” between these systems and the European framework; addresses the possibilities for internationalization of the operations of pharmacies by opening in the other country. Concludes that current proposals may impact on British practices more severely. An apparent opportunity for expansion by British firms in Germany is shown to be limited by the presence of major drugstore chains in the German market, which are seen to have domestic advantages over incoming firms. Summarizes the legislation connected with the SEM and pharmacy in a Table showing anticipated consequences in the two countries.

Investigates the role that retailers play in the cash funding of town centre management (TCM) schemes in the UK. The findings are drawn from a detailed questionnaire survey of town centre managers, and a series of interviews with retail business representatives. Reveals that although most TCM schemes attract some funding from retailers, the number who contribute is very low. Moreover, substantial financial involvement in TCM at a corporate level is restricted to seven major retail companies. It is also shown that retailers’ financial support for TCM can be classified into two basic types: “ring‐fenced” and “freestanding”. In conclusion, the implications of the relatively low level of retail funding for TCM are assessed, and some potentially useful areas of research are identified.

The purpose of the paper is to evaluate the development, role and management of quarters in UK cities.

A case study based on Manchester's Northern Quarter, using secondary documentary materials and semi‐structured interviews with urban managers and residents of the Quarter.

The emergence of the Northern Quarter is a relatively recent phenomenon, with small scale cultural industries and artists moving into take advantage of cheap property following the collapse of the area's economic base in the 1970s. Its branding was a development of the 1990s, set within the wider context of the marketing of the city as a whole. The area has regenerated, but its idiosyncratic character is continuously under pressure from developers and the demands of corporate retailing/leisure, from which it needs to be protected as far as possible. It is not an appropriate area for a business improvement district, but rather needs treating as an eco‐system and allowed to develop under its own momentum.

This is a single case study, which would merit duplication in other cities.

The paper suggests that “real” quarters are essentially organic in their origins, and cannot be planned or managed in a top‐down way. The serial replication of artificial quarters will not assist the differentiation of localities in increasingly competitive place markets.

The paper will be of interest to students and practitioners of urban place management.

The purpose of this paper is to provide an examination of the current state of local shopping provision (LSP) in the UK, identifying and evaluating approaches to maintaining its vitality and viability.

The paper is based on a review and synthesis of secondary data and published work.

In recent years, LSP has been under much pressure as retail trade has become increasingly concentrated. The recent recession and structural changes in the convenience sector have added to the pressures of change, but government is now recognising its social and economic importance. The analysis shows that the vitality and viability of LSP are very variable within and between regions and conurbations. A wide range of responses to maintaining the vitality and viability of LSP is identified, and a schema is posited which seeks to integrate elements of business and place management as the best way forward, concluding that sensitivity to local conditions is paramount and that local partnerships and champions have a key role to play.

The paper is based on secondary sources of data and extant literature only.

The paper provides an up‐to‐date evaluation of issues in an important area of retail policy and practice, attempting to distil best practice approaches which will be of value to all stakeholders.