Gary Akehurst & Nicholas Alexander 
The Emergence of Modern Retailing 1750-1950 [PDF ebook] 

The history of retail business development is an under-researched area. This book considers the emergence and development of modern retailing from an historical and management perspective in the period 1750-1950, addressing the need for further research and providing examples of current research activity. It considers the early emergence of retail forms in the late eighteenth century, the evolution of retail forms in the nineteenth century, and the late adaptation of retail management in the early twentieth century.