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Title:
Retail Competition and Consumer Choice, 2002-2004

Subject Categories:
Consumer behaviour - Economics
Nutrition - Health
Industrial/commercial location - Industry and management
Social attitudes and behaviour - Society and culture
Trade, industry and markets - Industry and management

Depositor(s):
Clarke, I., Lancaster University. Management School. Department of Marketing

Principal Investigator(s):
Clarke, I., Lancaster University. Management School. Department of Marketing
Jackson, P., University of Sheffield. Department of Geography
Hallsworth, A., Manchester Metropolitan University. Business School. Department of Retailing and Marketing

Sponsor(s):
Economic and Social Research Council

Grant Number:
R000239531

Other Acknowledgements:
Dr. Ronan de Kervenoael, Research Associate, Lancaster University Management School, Department of Marketing. Responsible for the quantitative phase of the project under the supervision of Professor Ian Clarke and Professor Alan Hallsworth.

Dr. Rossana Perez-del-Aguila, Research Associate, University of Sheffield, Geography Department. Responsible for the qualitative phase of the project under the supervision of Professor Peter Jackson.

Abstract:
This project addressed the implication of the growth in concentration in food retailing in the UK – resulting from the consolidation and small store decline over the long term - with reference to its impact on consumer choice. The reference point of the study was the UK Competition Commission (2000) conclusion that the degree to which consumers will have adequate choice will depend on local circumstances. The project addressed this specific issue by exploring changing retail provision between 1980 and 2002 in an ‘average’ situation (Portsmouth), where extensive, large scale quantitative surveys of shopping behaviour were combined with qualitative studies to provide a richer understanding of different households' use and experiences of local retail provision.

The baseline for the core of the study was the replication of a survey conducted in Portsmouth by Hallsworth and reported in: Hallsworth, A.G. (1988) The human impact of hypermarkets and superstores, Aldershot: Avebury. In addition, the approach and conceptual framework of the research were informed by two particular prior publications from members of the research team:

Coverage:
Time Period Covered: Some information in the interview transcripts covers previous shopping habits prior to the opening of some supermarket stores in the area.
Dates of Fieldwork: 2002-2004
Country: England
Geography: Portsmouth; Hampshire
Spatial Units: Areas of Portsmouth characterised by relative affluence (quantitative files only)
Observation Units: Individuals; Families/households
Kind of Data: Textual data; Numeric data; Individual (micro) level

Universe Sampled:
Location of Units of Observation:Subnational
Population:The quantitative surveys were conducted with supermarket shoppers, and the qualitative research with persons responsible for their household's main grocery shopping, resident in Portsmouth between 2002 and 2004

Methodology:
Time Dimensions: Cross-sectional (one-time) study
Sampling Procedures: Simple random sample; Purposive selection/case studies
Number of Units: Store survey: 2594 target, 2515 obtained. Area survey: 2000 target, 430 obtained. Household case studies: 8.
Method of Data Collection: Face-to-face interview; Postal survey; Observation; Semi-structured interview transcripts; Interview summaries; Observation field notes (included with transcripts).
Weighting: No weighting used (quantitative data), not applicable (qualitative data)

Language(s) of Written Materials:
Study Description: English
Study Documentation: English

Access:
Access Conditions: The depositor has specified that registration is required and standard conditions of use apply. The depositor may be informed about usage. See terms and conditions for further information.
Availability: ESDS Qualidata, UK Data Archive
Contact: Help desk: qualidata@esds.ac.uk

Date of Release:
First Edition: 7 December 2004

Copyright:
Copyright I. Clarke, P. Jackson and A. Hallsworth

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