Female and Part‐Time Employment within Superstore Retailing

Abstract

Investigates employment in the distributive trades — considering it is the second largest order in the UK Standard Industrial Classification of 1968. Says that June 1980 employment totalled 2.7 million workers, but that the retail trades — largest sub‐division of the distributive trades ‐ employed 1.87 million people in the UK. Recognizes that since the mid‐1950s there has been a rapid increase in the female labour force and also in part‐time working. Analyses both trends, focusing on impact and importance in UK retailing, examining the importance of female part‐time labour in the spread of superstore retailing. Discusses recent trends in the UK labour force using much information from results over time, and the role of part‐time labour in retailing — looking also at UK superstore development. Finally, looks at survey results presenting these in tabular format. Examines the impact of ‘new technology’ in the UK and how it will affect workers. Concludes by stating this aspect of retail development is long overdue a reasoned appraisal.