Revolutionizing Retail : Workers, Political Action, and Social Change

There is a modest but growing body of scholarly literature on experiences of retail work, with only a handful of studies existing on retail organizing. Before Revolutionizing Retail, no scholar had captured or analysed the breadth of political action being pursued in this crucial economic sector. This book was awarded the Canadian Association for Work and Labour Studies 2015 Book Prize. There is a modest but growing body of scholarly literature on experiences of retail work, with only a handful of studies existing on retail organizing. Before Revolutionizing Retail, no scholar had captured or analysed the breadth of political action being pursued in this crucial economic sector. Retail workers are a large labor force, yet their jobs are generally devalued and dominated by low wages, precarious conditions, and disrespect. Coulter draws on three years of comparative research on retail workers and political action, including fieldwork in Canada, the United States, and Sweden, to explore what is needed to improve workers' wellbeing and transform retail work. The only book of its kind, Revolutionizing Retail explains the strategies being used to improve retail jobs and retail workers' quality of life, including diverse forms of organizing, public policy, and good management. Coulter analyzes the degree to which current efforts are succeeding, and what lessons they offer about the present and future of work, forms of agency, and class, gender, and race relations. The power of culture, emotions, and workers' personal experiences of political action are at the heart of this engaging discussion of the challenges and possibilities of social change Review: "This book is a timely and important contribution to our understanding of work and social change. Kendra Coulter thoughtfully explores the possibility of a revolution in retail that transforms the lives of retail workers, and helps build a more just and equitable society. Revolutionizing Retail is essential reading for anyone interested in labor, gender, sociology, anthropology, or in the need not just for jobs, but for good jobs." - Elaine Bernard, Executive Director, Labor and Worklife Program, Harvard Law School, USA "Kendra Coulter provides a lucid, accessible, and insightful discussion of strategies for improving retail work, one which, laudably, makes the experiences and voices of often-ignored retail workers a central part of the narrative. This expansive and compelling book offers valuable fodder for everyone concerned about improving standards in this growing sector of the economy, and about the future of work." - Stephanie Ross, Associate Professor and Co-Director, Global Labour Research Centre, York University, Canada "Retail workers are a large labor force, yet their jobs are generally devalued and dominated by low wages, precarious conditions, and disrespect. Coulter draws on three years of comparative research on retail workers and political action, including fieldwork in Canada, the United States, and Sweden, to explore what is needed to improve workers' wellbeing and transform retail work. The only book of its kind, Revolutionizing Retail explains the strategies being used to improve retail jobs and retail workers' quality of life, including diverse forms of organizing, public policy, and good management. Coulter analyzes the degree to which current efforts are succeeding, and what lessons they offer about the present and future of work, forms of agency, and class, gender, and race relations. The power of culture, emotions, and workers' personal experiences of political action are at the heart of this engaging discussion of the challenges and possibilities of social change."--Publisher's website Front Matter....Pages i-x Retail Matters....Pages 1-17 Retail Detail: The Work and The Workers....Pages 19-53 Sales Floor Solidarity: Understanding Union Organizing in Retail....Pages 55-93 Hunger Games and Crying Games: Barriers to Change....Pages 95-123 Diversifying Political Action in Retail....Pages 125-150 The Battle of Ideas: Retail Work, Workers, and Social Change....Pages 151-171 Back Matter....Pages 173-198 Cover 1 Title 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 List of Figures 8 Acknowledgments 10 1 Retail Matters 12 2 Retail Detail: The Work and the Workers 29 3 Sales Floor Solidarity: Understanding Union Organizing in Retail 64 4 Hunger Games and Crying Games: Barriers to Change 103 5 Diversifying Political Action in Retail 132 6 The Battle of Ideas: Retail Work, Workers, and Social Change 158 References 179 Index 198