This timely and penetrating study provides new insights into a marketing institution that affects the food-shopping patterns and eating habits of most American families. It raises crucial questions about labor -management relations in supermarkets and seeks to determine whether various labor practices are working against the best interests of the consumer and efficient marketing operations.


Herbert R. Northrup and his Industrial Research group at the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce of the University of Pennsylvania employ the techniques of research and analysis in their investigation of the labor-management and collective bargaining structures. The final section of the study deals with the potentials for change presents details of technological progress, and suggests a new philosophy for and approach to labor relations in the industry. In addition to a detailed view of the contemporary situation the student of industry will find here a history of the growth and development of supermarkets and of the unionization movement.


Founded in 1921 as a separate Wharton department, the Industrial Research Unit has a long record of publication and research in the labor market, productivity, union relations, and business report fields. Major Industrial Research Unit studies as published as research projects are completed. This volume is Study no. 44.