Category Archives: Networks

The Importance of Markets, Asian Style

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Leigh Sparks

As I think I have mentioned, I was away in January, mainly in Cambodia, but also in Singapore. Since I have been back it has been a little hectic and so some posts reflecting on aspects of my time away … Continue reading →

Posted in Cambodia, Food Retailing, Localisation, Markets, Networks, Producers, Singapore, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“The Preston Model”: Community Wealth Building

Posted on July 23, 2019 by Leigh Sparks

During the National Review of Town Centres, I was introduced to Neil McInroy and his work as the Chief Executive of CLES.  We subsequently begin to work together on the specific project of Understanding Scottish Places and he has been … Continue reading →

Posted in CLES, Community, Governance, Innovation, Local Authorities, Local Multiplier, Localisation, Networks, Places, Reinvention, Relationships, Scotland's Towns Partnership, Supply Chains, Sustainability, Town Centre Review, Towns, Uncategorized, Understanding Scottish Places | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Challenging Times in Food Retailing, continued

Posted on October 3, 2018 by Leigh Sparks

The pressures in the food retailing sector – especially for the ‘legacy’ operators – are well known and continue to build. The rise of the discounters (see the last post), the continuing growth of the internet and the consumer demand … Continue reading →

Posted in Aldi, Asda, CMA, Competition, Competition and Markets Authority, Consumer Change, Discounters, Food Retailing, Internet shopping, Jack's, Lidl, Market Shares, Mergers, Networks, Store Closures, Tesco | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The ‘squeezed middle’ and the domino effect in the grocery supply chain

Posted on January 5, 2017 by Leigh Sparks

A popular phrase used in media and other commentary on the UK grocery system is that “Small firms are being ‘squeezed’ by their powerful partners“.   This is shorthand for financial pressures put on SMEs by large organisations such as grocery … Continue reading →

Posted in Academics, Brexit, Food Retailing, Governance, Networks, Pressure, Regulation, Relationships, Retailers, Suppliers, Supply Chains, Sustainability, Toblerone | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Understanding Scottish Places: O wad some Pow’r the giftie gie us to see oursels as ithers see us

Posted on April 29, 2015 by Leigh Sparks

Scotland is a country of towns; more than 55% of the Scottish population lives in towns and they are a distinctive feature of the country through their townscapes, functions and activities. But as we have said often over the last … Continue reading →

Posted in High Streets, Networks, Places, Relationships, Scotland's Town and High Streets, Scotland's Towns Partnership, Town Centre Action Plan, Town Centre Review, Town Centres, Towns, Towns Typology, Understanding Scottish Places | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments