The making of modern Japan from the middle of the 19th century to the end of World War II is a crucial theme in world history. This is a period which, opening with the Meiji Restoration and ending with the Allied Occupation, is central to any understanding of the way in which modern Japan has developed, is developing and is likely to develop in the future.

The retailing industry has undergone revolutionary changes since the Second World War: the rise of large multiple companies, increasing store sizes, new technologies and the internationalization of retailing have all transformed the retailing environment. This comprehensive collection traces the evolution and development of the retailing industry from before the Industrial Revolution up to the dramatic changes of the 1990s. New retail methods, out-of-town retailing, town center management and the internationalization of retailing are among the topics covered.