Tradition and Innovation in English Retailing, 1700 to 1850

Challenging established narratives of retail history, this book reevaluates the evolution of shopping in England from the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries. It questions the distinctions between 'traditional' and 'modern' retailing, highlighting the interconnectedness of consumption and retailing as a unified process. Through a narrative approach, it explores the roles and perceptions of various stakeholders, including retailers, consumers, and local authorities, shedding light on how shopping evolved as a skilled activity within a polite and fashionable culture.