Women in Retail Management

Abstract

Reports the findings of a combined survey of 42 mixed retailers, using a postal questionnaire and personal interviews solicited from 16 companies. Researchers sought information regarding the numbers of women holding senior management positions in the responding retailers and the approach and attitude of retail companies to the advancement of women. Results reveal no shortage of goodwill towards the provision of equal opportunities for women, with many responding companies actively pursuing policies aimed at improving the gender balance of their workforce. Six senior women interviewees confirmed that working conditions in retail were a factor in the statistics, but they suggested that negative attitudes from staff and customers also play a part. The isolation of lone senior women was confirmed by personal interviews, and in‐company mentors were identified as a possible help in that regard. The problem of balancing a family and career remains while store managers are believed to be omnipresent.

Citation

Brockbank, A. and Airey, Y. (1994), "Women in Retail Management", Women in Management Review, Vol. 9 No. 2, pp. 15-22. https://doi.org/10.1108/09649429410057622