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The retail sector is currently going through a wave of takeovers and mergers in which emphasis has been focussed on the leadership and entrepreneurial qualities of the principals involved. But what, asks Montague Lewis, of the quality of staff within the various organisations, the manpower structure and plans, the value of the investment in human capital?

The EDC for the Distributive Trades has recently published “Retail Trade Prospects” by C.B. Moir, on the development of key elements in retail trade structure in the UK over the period 1961–81. This report is the first stage of a triple series including a second report on the labour structure in distribution, and a final synthesis on the employment prospects for the distributive trades to 1987. Montague Lewis summarises the report and comments personally on the results and indications of future prospects for the distributive trades.

A great deal has been written and talked about lately on the application of market research techniques to the retail format. In its most obvious manifestations it has formed the basis for such successful operations as Next and the Burton Group and the recent diversifications in WH Smith. But the potential applications of market research are not confined to niche or multi‐strategy marketing. Intelligent advertising research can be a useful tool, as is customer analysis. What makes customers choose a particular store — or a particular brand? Is there a relationship between the two? And how do you build up appeal and customer loyalty through advertising and sales promotion? These were the main points covered at a recent seminar organised by Wallace International to mark the occasion of the opening of their new headquarters in London. Three speakers discussed aspects of innovation relating to the current scene in retailing — Montague Lewis, of the College for the Distributive Trades (who also wrote this feature); Dr Mark Uncles, from the London Business School, and Mike Elms, of Ogilvie Mather.

RMDP, the organisers of the EPoS shows, have published a unique research report on the state of EPoS development in four major European markets. It is reviewed here by Montague Lewis.

This report, one of a set of six in the retail strategy analysis series, concentrates an up‐to‐date survey on all the groups controlling supermarkets in the United Kingdom. It is in two parts, the first an industry report and overview, the second comprehensive store profiles on the 16 major multiple organisations, beginning with Asda and continuing via Marks & Spencer and Littlewoods through to Waitrose. Data is also included on the smaller food multiple groups which, although substantial enough in their own right, are not among the market leaders.

The past few years have seen the emergence of new retail strategies in the marketplace, but do they necessarily cater for the changing nature of the UK shopper? Mintel's 6th annual retail conference, held in June, looked at this theme and in particular asked the question — “Is the customer king?”

The Retail Consortium gathered together a distinguished group of retailers to address its annual briefing in October, the theme of which was the future of retailing in the light of current global change. Albert Heijn, one of Europe's leading retail figures, gave a considered account of his company's expansion into the United States, whilst Peter Carr, of Galerias Preciados, gave a rundown on the situation in Spain. John Davison of ICL talked about the future pattern of retail systems.

Historically, universities have been seen as places of excellence in research, with certain added teaching and educational functions. In Britain, though not in many other countries, there was seen little or no need to transfer that excellence out into the world outside nor for there to be much of a relationship between the universities and industry. So universities have been very relaxed about transferring their capabilities to the world outside — and the world outside has not been, until very recently too concerned about that. It may be helpful to spend a little time looking at that in greater depth.

The advantages and disadvantages of scanning for the retailer have received a great deal of publicity; less has been said about the possibilities which exist for the intelligent use of scanning — and EPOS generally — by the supplier, and especially the food supplier. Charles Auld is firmly of the view that scanning can be used as a marketing tool; to assist the manufacturer in range rationalisation, in providing information about regionality of consumer behaviour, and in range extension. This is an edited version of a paper deliverd by Charles Auld at the annual conference of the Marketing Society held in November in London.

There is a clear national trend toward the inclusion of students with disabilities in general education classrooms. This trend poses particularly vexing challenges for delivering appropriate programs for students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). This chapter describes the complexity of determining appropriate inclusive placements for students with EBD within the historical, legal, and philosophical context of inclusion and related to what we know about these students and how we can improve outcomes. Recommended practices for maximally appropriate placements include a comprehensive approach that integrates academic and behavioral interventions, and robust professional development in research-validated instructional practices for teachers. Shifting roles and shared responsibility of the professionals who are now working with students with EBD must be considered. Finally, issues currently being addressed that will shape the future direction of service delivery for students with EBD are discussed including the need for systematically and objectively manipulating key variables, including educational placement, to impact student achievement across settings.