THE ROLE AND STRUCTURE OF DISTRIBUTION: PART 2: SOCIAL INFRA‐STRUCTURE

In our last issue we published the first half of this paper, originally prepared for the Distributive Trades EDC by Jan de Somogyi. The first section discussed marketing strategies; in this second part the writer is concerned with distribution as part of a social infra‐structure shaping the urban social landscape—an infra‐structure currently threatened by economic pressures. The need for a national, bi‐partisan policy towards retailing is stressed, and for an appreciation of its dual marketing and social functions; at national level there should be co‐ordination between government departments whose policies affect retailing; and at local and regional level there should be greater co‐ordination of decisions affecting retailing.