From the outgoing Editor

Article Type: Note from the publisher From: International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, Volume 37, Issue 12

It is 20 years, since I was appointed Editor of IJRDM in the wake of Emerald's (then MCB University Press) takeover of the practitioner orientated retail and distribution management. Our first new issue was published in January 1990 and the ethos of the journal has always been to publish research which had relevance to managers in the retail sector. In the early years, we maintained a News and Reports section, Viewpoints, then Retail Insights as part of the expanding number of issues which grew from six per year to the current 12 per annum. IJRDM has grown in status over the years and is one of Emerald's top journals in terms of number of downloads. Its subscription base and contributions have widened considerably over the years from a UK to a truly international journal.

I have enjoyed editing the journal and the friendships which I have made over the years from all my managing editors, board members, reviewers, and of course,the contributors who have made IJRDM a success. Even our competitors deserve a mention in that John Dawson and Leigh Sparks (IRRDCR) and Harry Timmermans ( Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services) have all played a part in making retailing a credible academic discipline over the last 20 years. Alas! All good things must come to an end and I have taken semi-retirement from Heriot-Watt University and handed over the reins to my colleague, Neil Towers, whom I wish the best of luck to in the future. I am not disappearing for good, however, and will continue to be involved with the journal in a consulting editorial role. Indeed, one of my tasks for 2010 is to produce a special issue to commemorate 20 years of the journal.

Enjoy!

John FernieOutgoing Editor/Consulting Editor