Anti‐corporate retailer campaigns on the internet

Abstract

PurposeThis paper seeks to provide an illustrative review of the internet campaigns being waged against a number of large corporate retailers.Design/methodology/approachThe paper begins with a short history of anti‐corporate protest and this is followed by a brief outline of the dominance of large corporations within retailing. The paper draws its empirical material from anti‐corporate retail web sites on the internet.FindingsThe findings reveal that in some cases internet campaigns target the policies and behaviours of corporate retailers and in others specific retailers are being singled out for special attention. The campaigns address a wide range of issues including the environment and planning, impacts within local economies and communities, workers’ rights and working conditions and the power of retail corporations.Originality/valueThe paper provides an accessible review of the anti‐corporate retailer campaigns being waged on the internet and as such it will interest retail academics, retail employees, political representatives, planning officers and community and pressure groups.