ABSTRACT
This chapter again follows the structural pattern of the others in this study. It commences with a historical background to French retailing, identifying the principal periods in its development, and this is followed by an overview of the range of structures in French retailing. The chapter then provides a clear summary of the principal features of the current French retail environment, and follows this with a more detailed analysis of a limited number of particular issues, including specific retailer strategies and the impact of e-commerce upon French retailing. As with all of the individual-country chapters in this study, a particular analysis is provided of the impact upon retailing structures and performance of government legislation; the chapter concludes with perspectives and forecasts regarding French retailer strategies and the impact of government legislation in this sector.
