1. Global Channel Trends, 2012 Is big-box really dead?
By Robert Gregory and Nicole Parker-Hodds
Planet Retail Ltd | April 2012

2. Global Research Director
Global Channel Trends, 2012
Robert Gregory
Global Research Director
Nicole Parker-Hodds
Associate Analyst
Seismic socio-demographic, technological and economic trends are impacting on shopper behaviour. After years of adding more and more larger stores, the world’s leading grocery retailers need to react by shifting their own channel strategies to realign themselves.
This report will investigate global channel trends and highlight how some retailers are already positioning themselves to take advantage.
All images ©Planet Retail Ltd unless otherwise stated.

3. Contents Introduction Global Overview Hypermarkets & Superstores
Supermarkets & Neighbourhood Stores
Discount Stores
Convenience & Forecourt Stores
Cash & Carries and Wholesale Clubs
Drugstores, Pharmacies & Perfumeries
Summary & Implications

4. 1
Introduction

5. Why did we write this report?1 X X
Introduction
Why did we write this report?
After years of pursuing store expansion globally (with a focus on large stores) the traditional channel strategies of the largest grocery retailers are being disrupted by seismic events:
The global economic downturn from 2008 has impacted non-food sales in larger store formats.
Increasing saturation, prohibitive legislation is impacting large store growth – particularly in the more developed markets.
Longer-term socio-demographic (such as an ageing population) and economic trends (rising price of petrol) discourage large shopping trips.
The rising popularity of e-commerce suggests a future with fewer larger stores and the growing importance of proximity stores offering click & collect facilities.
This scenario (and the resulting falling sales) is leading many of the world’s leading grocery retailers to seriously re-evaluate their channel strategies.