Belgian Retail Research Articles

Belgian Government Policy and the Petite Bourgeoisie (1918–40)

Historical research into the petite bourgeoisie in Belgium did not begin until quite a bit later than it did abroad. On closer inspection, that was no bad thing. Because of the late start by Belgian historians, they were more open-minded and less inclined towards the research into the roots of Fascism which was largely based on pre-war sociological theories. Beginning in 1980, pioneering research was carried out at the Université Libre de Bruxelles – for the most part on the period before the First World War. The research group under the direction of Ginette Kurgan-van Hentenryk systematically analysed several important series of sources and produced interesting detailed studies. In 1993 Serge Jaumain published a comprehensive study on Belgian retail trade in the period from 1880 to 1914.

A preliminary survey into the temperature conditions and residence time distribution of minimally processed MAP vegetables in Belgian retail display cabinets

Retail display cabinets are shown to be critical points in the cold chain of minimally processed, modified atmosphere packed (MAP) vegetables. Variations in residence time of three categories of minimally processed MAP vegetables were analysed in two local supermarkets using a stimulus-response technique. More than 50% of the packages (median) were sold in the first day, but the range indicates that some of the packages were sold after the ‘use by’ date. Mean residence time increases with increasing shelf-life, and for products with a shelf-life of 3 and 4 days, the mean residence time was almost the same in both supermarkets. Temperature performance of the display cabinets was influenced by both ambient temperatures and day/night regime. Temperature differences of more than 5 °C were measured on the decks. Temperature in one place increases towards the end of the day by 4 °C and towards the end of the week by almost 7 °C. Temperature monitoring and control based on the thermometer of the cabinets was impossible. Differences between the actual and read-out temperature of up to 10 °C were observed. This survey shows the necessity of a close control of temperature conditions and residence time of minimally processed MAP vegetables in retail display cabinets.

Approaches to retail management: Di OF BELGIUM

DI is a Belgian retail chain of drug stores based on American and French ideas. It was developed by its parent company — Delhaize Le Lion — with two objectives: there was a marketing opportunity available for exploitation in the personal care market. But equally important was the opportunity to offer Delhaize personnel the means for development. The company believes in its staff and DI now has the potential to reward ability and loyalty.