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Professor Andrew Alexander

Professor of Retail Management

Qualifications: BA (Hons), PGCE (Wales), PhD (Exeter)

Email:
Phone: Work: 01483 68 9665
Room no: 15 MS 03

Office hours

Office hours Monday 09:00-11:00; Thursday 17:00-18:00 unless otherwise notified. Alternatively please email me at A.Alexander@surrey.ac.uk

Further information

Biography

Andrew Alexander is Professor of Retail Management in The Surrey Business School, where he was previously Senior Lecturer and Reader. He joined the University of Surrey following appointments at the University of Exeter and the Manchester Metropolitan University. Andrew completed an ESRC-funded PhD at the University of Exeter in 1994, and holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and BA (Hons) degree (University of Wales).

Andrew’s areas of research expertise include the long–term development of retail systems and the marketing and management of town centres. He has received research project funding for this work from organisations including the AHRC, the Leverhulme Trust, the Nuffield Foundation, the British Council and the Canadian High Commission, and from the retailer Somerfield. Included among his most recent projects is the AHRC-funded study ‘Reconstructing Consumer Landscapes’, an exploration of consumers’ reactions to the early post war supermarket (in association with the University of Exeter). He is the author and co-author of more than 50 journal papers, book chapters and research reports, and his work has been widely profiled in the local, national and international media (including the BBC and the Economist). His recent activities include as guest speaker to the international seminar of the Korean Traditional Markets Administration, and organising a series of workshops for managers of the Japanese retailer Seicomart visiting the UK on  fact-finding missions. 

He has acted variously as a research grant referee and rapporteur for the ESRC (UK), and for the Arts and Humanities Research Council (Canada), and as an advisory group member to the British Retail Consortium / Neighbourhood Renewal Unit. He is on the editorial advisory boards of the Journal of Historical Research in Marketing, and the Journal of Pace Management and Development.   

Andrew supervises PhD and DBA research students, and welcomes research proposals from prospective doctoral research candidates; particularly in relation to the long–term development of retail systems, the marketing and management of town centres and international retailing. He has been the recipient of Faculty Enrichment Funds from the Canadian High Commission to develop a teaching programme on retailing in North America.

Research Interests

Retail location planning; managing and marketing urban centres; retail history; international retailing

Publications

Highlights

  • Bailey AR, Shaw G, Alexander A, Nell D. (2010) 'Consumer behaviour and the life course: shopper reactions to self-service grocery shops and supermarkets in England c.1947-75'. PION LTD Environment and Planning A: international journal of urban and regional research, 42 (6), pp. 1496-1512.
    doi: 10.1068/a42247
    Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/7308/
  • Alexander A, Nell D, Bailey AR, Shaw G. (2009) 'The Co-Creation of a Retail Innovation: Shoppers and the Early Supermarket in Britain'. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC ENTERP SOC, 10 (3), pp. 529-558.
    doi: 10.1093/es/khp016
  • Alexander A, Phillips S, Shaw G. (2008) 'Retail innovation and shopping practices: consumers' reactions to self-service retailing'. PION LTD ENVIRON PLANN A, 40 (9), pp. 2204-2221.
    doi: 10.1068/a39117
    Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/107402/
  • Alexander A. (2008) 'Format development and retail change: supermarket retailing and the London Co-operative Society'. ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD BUS HIST, 50 (4), pp. 489-508.
    doi: 10.1080/00076790802106679

Journal articles

  • Nell D, Phillips S, Alexander A, Shaw G. (2011) 'HELPING YOURSELF SELF-SERVICE GROCERY RETAILING AND SHOPLIFTING IN BRITAIN, c. 1950-75'. BERG PUBL CULT SOC HIST, 8 (3), pp. 371-391.
    doi: 10.2752/147800411X13026260433103
  • Bailey AR, Shaw G, Alexander A, Nell D. (2010) 'Consumer behaviour and the life course: shopper reactions to self-service grocery shops and supermarkets in England c.1947-75'. PION LTD Environment and Planning A: international journal of urban and regional research, 42 (6), pp. 1496-1512.
    doi: 10.1068/a42247
    Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/7308/
  • Alexander A. (2010) 'Past, Present and Future directions in the study of the history of retailing'. Emerald Journal of Historical Research in Marketing, 2 (3), pp. 356-362.
    doi: 10.1108/17557501011067888
    Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/107403/
  • Alexander A, Nell D, Bailey AR, Shaw G. (2009) 'The Co-Creation of a Retail Innovation: Shoppers and the Early Supermarket in Britain'. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC ENTERP SOC, 10 (3), pp. 529-558.
    doi: 10.1093/es/khp016
  • Wood S, Myers H, Alexander A. (2009) 'Guest Editorial: Special issue of papers from the EAERCD’s 15th International Conference on Research in the Distributive Trades, University of Surrey, UK'. The International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research, 4 (19), pp. 313-315.
    doi: 10.1080/09593960903327707
  • Alexander A, Nell D, Bailey A, Shaw G. (2009) 'Investigating Shopper Narratives of the Supermarket in Early Post-War England, 1945-75'. Oral History, 37 (1), pp. 61-73.
  • Alexander A, Phillips S, Shaw G. (2008) 'Retail innovation and shopping practices: consumers' reactions to self-service retailing'. PION LTD ENVIRON PLANN A, 40 (9), pp. 2204-2221.
    doi: 10.1068/a39117
    Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/107402/
  • Alexander A, Hamlett J, Bailey A, Shaw G. (2008) 'Regulating UK Supermarkets: an oral-history perspective'. History & Policy,
  • Hamlett J, Bailey AR, Alexander A, Shaw G. (2008) 'Ethnicity and Consumption South Asian food shopping patterns in Britain, 1947-75'. SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC J CONSUM CULT, 8 (1), pp. 91-116.
    doi: 10.1177/1469540507086037
    Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/164605/
  • Alexander A. (2008) 'Format development and retail change: supermarket retailing and the London Co-operative Society'. ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD BUS HIST, 50 (4), pp. 489-508.
    doi: 10.1080/00076790802106679
  • Alexander A, Cryer D, Wood S. (2008) 'Location planning in charity retailing'. International Journal of Retail and Distribution Management, 36 (7), pp. 536-550.
  • Alexander A. (2008) 'Editorial Advisory Board: Commentary on Journal of Place Management and Development'. Journal of Place Management and Development, 1 (1), pp. 18-19.
  • Shaw G, Alexander A. (2008) 'British co-operative societies as retail innovators: Interpreting the early stages of the self-service revolution'. ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD BUS HIST, 50 (1), pp. 62-78.
    doi: 10.1080/00076790701785623
  • Shaw G, Alexander A. (2008) 'British co-operative societies as retail innovators: Interpreting the early stages of the self-service revolution (vol 50, pg 67, 2008)'. ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD BUS HIST, 50 (2), pp. 251-252.
    doi: 10.1080/00076790801996708
  • Alexander A, Shaw G. (2006) 'Interlocking directorates and the knowledge transfer of supermarket retail techniques from North America to Britain'. The International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research, 16 (3), pp. 375-394.
  • Alexander A, Nicholls A. (2006) 'Rediscovering consumer-producer involvement - A network perspective on fair trade marketing'. EMERALD GROUP PUBLISHING LIMITED EUR J MARKETING, 40 (11-12), pp. 1236-1253.
    doi: 10.1108/03090560610702795
  • Alexander A, Phillips S. (2006) '"Fair play for the small man': Perspectives on the contribution of the independent shopkeeper 1930-c.1945'. ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD BUS HIST, 48 (1), pp. 69-89.
    doi: 10.1080/00076790500204743
  • Oppewal H, Alexander A, Sullivan P. (2006) 'Consumer perceptions of corporate social responsibility in town shopping centres and their influence on shopping evaluations'. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 13 (4), pp. 261-274.
  • Phillips S, Alexander A. (2005) 'An efficient pursuit? Independent shopkeeping in 1930s Britain'. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC ENTERP SOC, 6 (2), pp. 278-304.
    doi: 10.1093/es/khi032
  • Alexander A, Shaw G, Curth L. (2005) 'Promoting retail innovation: knowledge flows during the emergence of self-service and supermarket retailing in Britain'. PION LTD ENVIRON PLANN A, 37 (5), pp. 805-821.
    doi: 10.1068/a3741
  • Phillips S, Alexander A, Shaw G. (2005) 'Consumer misbehavior: The rise of self-service grocery retailing and shoplifting in the United Kingdom c. 1950-1970'. Journal of Macromarketing, 25 (1), pp. 66-75.
  • Alexander A, Wilson L, Lumbers M. (2004) 'Food access and dietary variety among older people'. Emerald International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 32 (2), pp. 109-122.
    doi: 10.1108/09590550410521789
    Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/188326/
  • Shaw G, Curth L, Alexander A. (2004) 'Selling self-service and the supermarket: The Americanisation of food retailing in Britain, 1945-60'. Business History, 46 (4), pp. 568-582.
  • Alexander A. (2003) 'Business Improvement Districts: progress towards implementation in the UK'. European Retail Digest, (37), pp. 13-15.
  • Curth L, Shaw G, Alexander A. (2002) 'Streamlining shopping - How the British supermarket was born'. HISTORY TODAY LTD HIST TODAY, 52 (11), pp. 34-35.
  • Alexander A, Davies R. (2002) 'Public-private partnerships in UK retailing: The dawn of a new era?'. European Retail Digest, (35), pp. 38-41.
  • Alexander A. (2002) 'Retailing and consumption: evidence from war time Britain'. The International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research, 12 (1), pp. 39-57.
  • Alexander A, Curth L, Shaw G. (2002) 'A new archive for the history of retailing: the Somerfield collection'. Business History: Archives and Sources, , pp. 29-38.
  • Shaw G, Alexander A, Benson J, Hodson D. (2000) 'The evolving culture of retailer regulation and the failure of the 'Balfour Bill' in interwar Britain'. PION LTD ENVIRON PLANN A, 32 (11), pp. 1977-1989.
  • Alexander A, Pollard J. (2000) 'Banks, grocers and the changing retailing of financial services in Britain'. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 7 (3), pp. 137-148.
  • Alexander A, Medway D, Warnaby G, Bennison D. (2000) 'Retailers’ reasons for involvement in Town Centre Management'. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 28 (8), pp. 368-378.
  • Alexander A, Benson J. (1999) 'Sources for the study of urban retailing, 1800-1950'. The Local Historian, , pp. 167-182.
  • Alexander A, Medway D, Bennison D, Warnaby G. (1999) 'Retailers’ financial support for Town Centre Management'. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 27 (6), pp. 246-255.
  • Alexander A, Benson J, Shaw G. (1999) 'Action and reaction: competition and the multiple retailer in 1930s Britain'. The International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research, 9 (3), pp. 245-259.
  • Alexander A, Shaw G. (1999) 'Guest Editorial: Contesting retail space: competition in the retail trades 1870 - 1960, special issue of papers from the Contesting Retail Space Symposium, The Manchester Metropolitan University, UK'. The International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research, 3 (9), pp. 23-224.
  • Alexander A, Shaw G, Benson J, Jones J. (1998) 'Structural and spatial trends in British retailing: the importance of firm-level studies'. Business History, 40 (4), pp. 79-93.
  • Alexander A. (1998) 'Spatial trends in the development of multiple retailing in Great Britain'. Revue Belge de Geographie, 121 (1-4), pp. 11-19.
  • Alexander A, Warnaby G, Medway D. (1998) 'Town Centre Management in the UK: a review, synthesis and research agenda'. The International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research, 8 (1), pp. 15-31.
  • Alexander A. (1997) 'Strategy and strategists: evidence from an early retail revolution in Britain'. The International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research, 7 (1), pp. 61-78.
  • Alexander A, Coles T, Shaw G. (1997) 'Following the script: Optical Character Recognition technology and the British town and trade directory'. History and Computing, 9, pp. 26-41.
  • Alexander A. (1993) 'Retail revolution: the spread of multiple retailers in South West England'. Journal of Regional and Local Studies, 13 (1), pp. 39-54.

Conference papers

  • Alexander A. (2009) 'Shoppers and the co-creation of a retail innovation: the early supermarket in Britain'. University of Surrey, Guildford: 15th International Conference on Research in the Distributive Trades
  • Alexander A, Goldman A. (2007) 'Path dependency in retailing: Chain governance models'. Saarland University, Germany: 14th International Conference on Research in the Distributive Trades
  • Alexander A, Goldman A. (2005) 'Convenience supermarket retailing: formats and strategies in an historical perspective'. Lund University, Sweden: 13th International Conference on Research in the Distributive Trades
  • Alexander A, Davies R. (2003) 'World retail trends and issues'. Templeton College, Oxford : Full Proceedings of the Asia-Pacific Retail Conference 2002, , pp. 5-21.
  • Alexander A, Sullivan P, Oppewal H. (2000) 'Town centres: experiential learning opportunities for retail education'. Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Retailing and Commercial Distribution Education, University of Gloucestershire, UK: 7th International Conference on Retailing and Commercial Distribution Education, pp. 61-70.
  • Alexander A, Oppewal H, Sullivan P. (2000) 'The role of symbolic attributes in town center attractiveness for shopping'. Columbus : AMS/ ACRA Retailing 2000: Launching the New Millennium Conference Special Conference Series Volume IX, Retailing 2000: Launching the New Millennium Conference, pp. 54-59.
  • Alexander A, Medway D, Warnaby G, Bennison D. (1999) 'Why do retailers get involved in Town Centre Management?'. Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Research in the Distributive Trades Institute of Retail Studies, University of Stirling, Scotland: 10th International Conference on Research in the Distributive Trades Institute of Retail Studies
  • Alexander A, Medway D, Bennison D, Warnaby G. (1998) 'Retailer funding of town centre management schemes in the UK'. The Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester: Conference for Contemporary Issues in Retailing and Marketing

Book chapters

  • Alexander A, Curth L, Shaw G. (2006) 'Creating new spaces of food consumption: the rise of mass catering and the activities of the Aerated Bread Company'. in Benson J, Ugolini L (eds.) The Cultures of Selling: Aspects of Consumption and Society since 1700 Ashgate Pub Co , pp. 81-100.
  • Alexander A. (2004) 'Marks, Simon, first Baron Marks of Broughton'. in Matthew HCG, Harrison B, Academy B (eds.) Oxford New Dictionary of National Biography Oxford University Press, USA
  • Alexander A. (2004) 'Burton, Sir Montague Maurice'. in Matthew HCG, Harrison B, Academy B (eds.) Oxford New Dictionary of National Biography Oxford University Press, USA
  • Alexander A, Davies R. (2003) 'World retail trends and issues'. in Yahagi T (ed.) The Asia-Pacific Retail Conference Tokyo : Nihon Keizai Shimbun Inc , pp. 271-304.
  • Alexander A, Shaw G, Hodson D. (2002) 'Regional variations in the development of multiple retailing in England, 1890-1939'. in Benson J, Ugolini L (eds.) A Nation of Shopkeepers. Retailing in Britain 1550-1990 London : IB Tauris , pp. 127-154.
  • Alexander A, Davies R. (2002) 'Public-private partnerships in UK retailing: The dawn of a new era?'. in (ed.) British Retail Consortium Yearbook 2002 TSO , pp. 328-333.
  • Alexander A, Shaw G, Benson J, Jones J. (1999) 'Structural and spatial trends in British retailing: The importance of firm level studies'. in Alexander N, Akehurst G (eds.) The emergence of modern retailing, 1750-1950 Frank Cass & Co , pp. 79-93.
  • Alexander A, Shaw G. (1999) 'Retail trading in South West England 1850-1950'. in Kain RJP, Ravenhill W (eds.) An Historical Atlas of South West England University of Exeter Press , pp. 119-124.
  • Alexander A, Shaw G. (1999) 'Population change in South West England during the Nineteenth Century'. in Kain RJP, Ravenhill W (eds.) An Historical Atlas of South West England University of Exeter Press , pp. 476-481.

Reports

  • Alexander A, Medway D, Bennison D, Warnaby G. (1998) Retailer Involvement in Town Centre Management.

Other publications

  • Alexander A, Pollard J. (2000) The grocery retailers meet the banks: the changing face of financial services retailing in Britain. The University of Birmingham, School of Geography Working Papers Series: Services, Space, Society No. 6,
  • Alexander A, Medway D, Bennison D, Warnaby G. (1998) Town Centre Management and market towns. Market Towns: Options for a Share in the Future Action for Market Towns, , pp. 18-20.
  • Alexander A, Shaw G. (1994) Directories as sources in local history. Local History Magazine, (46), pp. 12-17.

Teaching

Teaching duties 2011/12:

Managing Retail Locations (UG Level 2)

International Retailing (MSc)

MSc dissertation supervisor 

PhD and DBA candidate supervisor

Departmental Duties

Marketing and Retail Management Subject Group Leader 

Affiliations

Member of the editorial advisory board Journal of Historical Research in Marketing.

Member of the editorial advisory board Journal of Place Management and Development.

Member of the European Association for Education and Research in Commercial Distribution

Member of the European Business History Association

Member of the Association for Historical Research in Marketing (USA)

Member of the American Collegiate Retailing Association