2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG2710 Retail Geography

10 creditsClass Size: 200

Module manager: Prof Graham Clarke
Email: g.p.clarke@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

The course aims to introduce students to the importance of retailing in contemporary economic geography. The first major issue to be explored is that of retail power. In particular, it is important to understand the role of geography in retail growth strategies. The second major issue relates to planning legislation - how has the planning system influenced retail change at the national and local levels? A case study of food retailing is given in the course. The third major issue is globalisation - how the major retailers of the World are expanding into new global markets and the challenges that this brings. Lastly we explore the importance of store location research.

Objectives

On completion of this module students should have acquired
i) an understanding of the main dimensions of modern retailing;
ii) knowledge of the processes underpinning change in retail power and the battle for market share in UK retailing
iii) an in-depth knowledge of the geographical battle for market share in the grocery market
iv) an appreciation of the importance of globalisation in modern retailing;
v) an understanding of different approaches to site location

Skills outcomes
A Knowledge and Understanding
A1 The dynamic nature of geographical thought and practice and the inter-relationships between the discipline and the social sciences
A4 Spatial patterns and relationships in human phenomena at a variety of scales
A5 The geography of places and their constitution by environmental, economic, social and political processes, and the influence of places on these processes
A6 The geographies of difference and inequality with particular reference to historical development, ethnicity, class, gender and the changing nature of urban and regional economies and policy
A7 Contemporary debates about time-space relationships, globalization and global interconnections
A10 The contribution of geography to development of environmental political, economic and cultural agendas, policies and practices

B Cognitive skills
B1 Abstraction and synthesis of information from a variety of sources
B2 Assessment and critical evaluation of the merits of contrasting theories, explanations, policies
B3 Critical analysis and interpretation of data and text
B4 Developing reasoned arguments
B5 Solving problems and making reasoned decisions

C Practical/professional skills
C4 Collect, interpret and synthesise different types of quantitative and qualitative geographical data
C5 Recognise the ethical issues involved in geographical debates and enquiries

D Key skills
D2 Communicate effectively (in writing, verbally and through graphical presentations)
D4 Use information technology effectively (including use of spreadsheet, database and word processing programmes; Internet and e-mail)
D5 Identify, retrieve, sort and exchange geographical information using a wide range of sources
D6 Work as part of a team and to recognise and respect the viewpoints of others
D7 Manage time and organise work effectively

Syllabus

1.Course introduction & the origins of urban retailing
2 The battle for market share and retail power
3 Retail growth, diversification & planning issues
4 The golden age of supermarket retailing and its demise
5 Grocery retailer performance in the last decade
6 The legacy of change in UK grocery retailing: food deserts
7 No lecture - reading week
8 Retail internationalisation
9 Examples of retail internationalisation problems
10 Store location techniques
11 Retail models - an introduction: course conclusions

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			90.00
Total Contact hours			10.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

30 hours reading to support lectures
35 hours preparation for project and project report
25 hours revision and preparation

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Through student feedback during the lectures themselves and feedback obtained in the course review process.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Project	Report 1,500 words (in pairs)	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		30.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	1 hr 15 mins	70.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		70.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 18/03/2009

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