Introduction: Retailing Between Art and Science

This introductory chapter sets the scene for the analysis of a sector, the retail trade, which has for many years been considered the “Cinderella” of the social sciences. The chapter emphasizes the important changes in the retail sector in the last decades. This sector is critical for the European economy as it is one of the largest industries in terms of employment and value-added. This role, combined with the digital transition and the need for environmentally friendly practices observed in recent years, has caused many retail enterprises to either adapt to the changes or cease to operate. The above issues have led to a resurgence in scholarly interest in retailing, with a need to readjust the retailing concept. This introductory chapter contributes to the debate on prospects and challenges for the sector.