Changing Relations in the Retail‐supply Chain: Geographicaland Employment Implications

Investigates changes in retail‐supply relations by drawing on empirical research into the retail‐supply chain for two product areas: women′s hosiery and bread. Discusses the implications of changes in retail‐supply relations for three specific, though interdependent, areas: the balance of power – between the major retailers and their suppliers, between different retail capitals, and among manufacturing suppliers in a particular product area; the consequences for the geographical organization of the supply chain and the counter‐tendencies of internationalization and localization of contract supply; the impact of retail‐supply relations on the sectoral and geographical distribution of employment. Concludes by briefly addressing some of the implications of changes in the retail‐supply chain for local economic development strategies.