Abstract
Considers the direction of the international expansion of European food retailers, and suggests that international retail studies have been criticized for a lack of empirical research. Discusses the results of a survey which sought the views of the main board directors of all major food retail companies based in six European Union countries: France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain and the UK. Observation of previous international activity reported in the literature suggests that the direction of international retail expansion is primarily determined by three factors of geography, culture and economic development. Considers the observable trends in the light of the empirical results presented. Presents these findings within a conceptual framework which suggests that, over time, retailers move from a reluctant, through cautious, to an ambitious stage in their international development. Analyses and discussess respondents’ propensity to internationalization and proposes a conceptual development.