Is consumer choice a bad thing?

Abstract

Purpose – Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – Since the Millennium, one of the key trends in European food retailing has seen the rise and fall of major supermarket chains. While still immensely profitable and successful, the likes of Tesco and Carrefour have been unable to replicate early huge gains in this period as smaller, cheaper and more nimble retailers have begun to steal market share. In particular, the UK has seen two classic market phenomena with the rise of Tesco as the biggest retailer sweeping all before, only for a combination of changing buying habits and increased popularity of discount retailers to decimate the market share growth of Tesco and other major operators in the “squeezed middle”. Practical implications – Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.