The diversity of the UK food market: Reflections on present and future trends

Abstract

The story of the marketing of food in the UK is a fascinating one. The growth of the large multiples, the difficulties of retailer/supplier relationships, the development of fresh foods — all these are significant features. In this article, Barrie Clarke pinpoints some interesting new features which are currently emerging: food trade development in which volume growth is no longer the sole overriding objective; unease at the “site auctions” to which major groups must submit themselves; and the realisation on the part of manufacturers that retailers have assumed “creative control” of the marketing process. This is a slightly edited version of a paper originally presented by Barrie Clarke entitled “Future trends in food retailing”, at the School of Agriculture Conference in Aberdeen, which took place late last year.

Citation

Clarke, B. (1985), "The diversity of the UK food market: Reflections on present and future trends", Retail and Distribution Management, Vol. 13 No. 1, pp. 14-19. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb018258