Shopped: The Shocking Power of British Supermarkets

Joanna Blythman

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An elegant demolition of the supermarket miracle, this book charts the impact that supermarkets have had on every aspect of our lives and culture.

Did you know…

  • Almost 50% of supermarket fruit and vegetables contain pesticide residues?
  • UK supermarkets make 40p on every £1 spent on bananas while plantations workers are paid just 1p?
  • Supermarkets instill a climate of fear amongst their suppliers?
  • Every time a supermarket opens the local community loses on average 276 jobs?

In the 1970s, British supermarkets had only 10% of the UK's grocery spend. Now they swallow up 80%, influencing how we shop, what we eat, how we spend our leisure time, how much rubbish we generate, even the very look of our physical environment.

Award-winning food writer Joanna Blythman investigates the enormous impact that these big box retailers are having on our lives. She meets the farmers who are selling food to supermarkets for less than they need to survive and the wholesalers who have been eliminated from the supply chain; she travels to suburban retail parks to meet the teenagers and part-timers who stack our shelves and reveals the hoops third world suppliers must jump through to earn supermarket contracts.

This thought-provoking, witty and sometimes chilling voyage of discovery is sure to make you think twice before you enthusiastically reach for that supermarket trolley again.

What will you learn from this book

  1. Market Dominance: The book may highlight the significant market dominance of supermarkets and how it affects consumer choices and competition within the food industry.

  2. Impact on Local Businesses: Expect insights into how the growth of supermarkets has affected local businesses, including small retailers and independent producers.

  3. Supply Chain Practices: The book might delve into the supply chain practices of supermarkets, exploring issues such as relationships with suppliers, food sourcing, and the environmental impact of transportation.

  4. Consumer Behavior Influence: Insights into how supermarkets shape consumer behavior through marketing, product placement, and pricing strategies.

  5. Food Quality and Nutrition: The authors may discuss concerns related to the quality and nutritional value of the food offered by supermarkets, considering factors such as processing, additives, and labeling.

  6. Treatment of Suppliers: Expect discussions on the relationships between supermarkets and their suppliers, including issues of fair pricing, contract terms, and the power dynamics at play.

  7. Environmental Impact: The book might explore the environmental impact of supermarkets, considering issues such as packaging waste, transportation emissions, and sustainability practices.

  8. Corporate Social Responsibility: Insights into the corporate social responsibility initiatives (or lack thereof) of supermarkets, including their contributions to local communities and broader social issues.

  9. Economic and Social Consequences: Expect considerations on the broader economic and social consequences of the supermarket industry's practices, such as job creation, income distribution, and community well-being.

  10. Call for Consumer Awareness: The authors may call for increased consumer awareness about the practices of supermarkets, encouraging readers to make informed choices and support alternatives that align with their values.

Language English
ISBN-13 9780007158041
No of pages 395
Font Size Medium
Book Publisher Harper Perennial
Published Date 21 Jan 2010

About Author

Author : Joanna Blythman

2 Books

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