The Grocers: The Rise and Rise of Supermarket Chains

As someone who works for one of the big UK supermarkets, i think that this book was brilliant, by giving me an insight into the grocery business on a more global scale. Perhaps, though the book could have been improved by going into more detail, particularly with the European and Asian markets, and also with some of the smaller UK players. I was also disapointed that the entry into the Irish market by Tesco, Sainsburys, Safeway, and Lidl was not covered in any detail. The other problem is that the book is now sllightly out of date, but this is to be expected with such a fast changing sector. Overall though, I would say that this is a good overview of the global grocery market, and an excellent overview of the UK Supermarket industry - a must buy for anyone interested in or studying the grocery retail.

From an Anglocentric base, Seth and Randall provide a fascinating history of grocery retailing. The facts and figures are all there for the serious of study but most of us will be riveted by the personalities. There is nothing much new about retailing after all: you break bulk and take a margin. Yet these grocers are wildly different people who have built successful, competitive businesses on the backs of strongly held personal beliefs.The book opens with the leading (as of today) British supermarket, Tesco, and works down the UK pecking order. It must have been difficult for the authors to keep up with the rapidly changing sector and there was only just time to incorporate the Wal-Mart acquisition of Asda. Then the perspective broadens to continental Europe and the US. The last four chapters draw conclusions and make forecasts.Here I particularly liked the profitability comparisons across the UK, US, France and Belgium (UK margins higher but return on capital about the same). They see the UK as more innovative which will certainly be challenged by others. And they bravely address the implications for, and as a result of, e-commerce.Those of us who can rise above the Britishness of this book gain greatly from its fresh perspective and candor. I didn't agree quite a few of the authors' assertions but they made me think again.