Introduction

This book was conceived at a meeting of researchers from different countries (France, Germany, Poland, Scotland, and Spain) during the EURAM conference in Warsaw in 2015. In proposing, preparing, and delivering a special session on retailing and sustainability, we discovered that there were similarities between countries and retailers. We decided to propose a book exploring this subject and retailing practices. The retailing sector is characterized not only by its large scale in terms of outlets, employees, and customers, but also by its numerous large and small suppliers, on which centralized purchasing systems can impose draconian conditions. Such all-powerful retailing (Wal-Mart has c1.8 m employees) gives rise to extensive criticism, relating primarily to environment and health (Brabet, Lavorata, Maurel, & Morin-Delerm, 2010); criticism linked variously to the transportation of the merchandise sold, the need for customers to drive to stores, the waste generated (redundant packaging, plastic bags, non-recyclable, readily perishable products, etc.), modes of production encouraged by suppliers’ management decisions and methods (deforestation, reduction in biodiversity, etc.), among others. In social terms, the sector is criticized for its low wages, poor and sometimes dangerous working conditions, lack of job security and inadequate social welfare cover, restrictions on trades union membership, etc. Retailing and sustainability thus has many dimensions to explore and concepts to consider.