Understanding the Changing Market Structure of the Food and Drink Retail Industry: an epidemiological approach

This research seeks to address the lack of empirical research into the changing market structure of the
UK out-of-home food and drink retail industry. Existing literature rests primarily on qualitative
assumptions based on headline figures, focusing on an
overall decrease in licensed premises, a marked
reduction in public houses and the 'increasing dominance' of chain operators (Home Office, 2016;
Foley, 2020). However, adaptations in the food and drink retail industry are diverse, varying by sector
and geographically. This research aims to develop a quantitative spatio-
temporal framework through
which to interpret the changing market structures within the context of the wider economy, providing
new information that may contribute towards the sustainable development of the food and drink retail
industry. Through the use of count regression analysis techniques this research proposes to model the
relationship between the food and drink retail industry, and local economic and social conditions
identified as potential factors contributing to the change.