Retailer buyer power in European markets: lessons from grocery supply

Developments in Grocery Retailing and Associated Policy Issues Retailers represent the final and therefore the most visible point of the grocery supply chain for most consumers. Developments at this level consequently have a direct effect on consumer interests in relation to price, choice and quality of products on offer. In the last couple of decades the face of grocery retailing has changed significantly with the emergence of new, large-store formats and the increased prevalence of large retail chains. These developments have offered consumers increased shopping convenience through superstores offering one-stop shopping for food and other daily consumer goods.1 However, with consumers’ shopping habits changing in favour of these large-store formats the consequence has been a sharp decline in the number of traditional and specialist retailers. This pattern of development has been common across most of Europe.