Productivity in the Distributive Trades: A Comparison of Britain, America and Germany

by Anthony Douglas Smith, D. M. W. N. Hitchens

This book comprises a detailed analysis of labour productivity in the British, American and German distributive trades, as a contribution to the debate on Britain's economic performance, and the improvement of that performance. Productivity levels are measured separately for the retail and wholesale sectors and for individual trades in the three countries and then compared internationally in detail. The study proceeds to spotlight the causes of the differentials which emerge, especially the role of international contrasts in shop, depot and firm size, the role of independents and multiples, the extent of self- service, the location of the distributive trades and living standards. Besides portraying the current picture, the book also traces over the postwar period developments in labour productivity levels in the retail and wholesale trades of Britain, America and Germany. These trends are then related to the extent to which the three countries have experienced and benefited from the 'retail revolution' and its associated features.

174 pages, Hardcover

First published December 12, 1985