ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the global food retail and distribution situation with a specific focus on supermarkets. It explores the power and control that supermarkets have over the food supply chain – not only control over consumers (culture, choice and health) but also the control that supermarket buying desks have over food that is grown and produced via contracts and contract specifications. The chapter focuses on the UK and Australia, two countries that present overlapping and contrasting case studies of opportunities and barriers to changes in food provision. It is suggested that the likely future trends shaping grocery and supermarket expansion will come in the virtual world of internet ordering and delivery. Finally, recommendations are made for the need for food retail and distribution to shift to an ecologically-integrated approach, providing an opportunity to transform food retail and distribution into a business model that is supportive of healthy and sustainable food systems.
