Rural retailing: a sector in decline?

Andrew Paddison · Eric Calderwood

104 citations0/0 files storedInternational Journal of Retail & Distribution Management

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Consumer Retail Behavior Studies Consumer Market Behavior and Pricing Rural development and sustainability

Abstract

Purpose The paper seeks to review dynamic forms of rural retailing, by location, that have innovated through a mixture of actions leading to growth, adaptation, diversification and differentiation. Design/methodology/approach Reviews relevant academic literature and draws upon contemporary policy‐related material that details recent innovation within the sector. A rural retail typology by location is presented: retailing within market towns, village shops and stand‐alone retailing forms (farm shops and speciality rural retail outlets). Findings Since, the nature together with form of what characterises dynamic and innovative rural retailing differs by location, the typology is based on the above schema. First, market towns have used growth and differentiation opportunities as strategic foci. Second, innovative village shops have applied strategies that seek to counter their structural weaknesses, harness the community and yield new revenue streams. Third, the manner in which stand‐alone retailing forms, such as farm shops together with speciality rural retail outlets, have grown and developed is reviewed. Practical implications Reviewing dynamic forms of rural retailing allows for a greater understanding of the operational needs for success. A lack of relevant research is cited together with examples. Originality/value Stereotyping rural retailing is erroneous since marginalised enterprises are juxtaposed against more innovative forms. Contrary to perceptions of rural decline, the sector is multi‐faceted with prospering sub‐sectors. The paper focuses on these more dynamic and innovative forms of rural retailing. Much of the previous focus in this sector has been on negative issues and decline. A synthesis of the key contributory phenomena is presented.

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References

2001Farm diversification in England and Wales — what can we learn from the farm business survey?1987Consumer retail satisfaction in rural areas: A reanalysis of survey data 1986Shopping patterns of the rural consumer: Exploring the relationship between shopping orientations and outshopping

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