The Great A&P and the Struggle for Small Business in America
, subject: A&P, antitrust politics, and small business opposition to large chains, 2011
A&P drew political attacks as a dominant retailer, yet the book argues it doomed itself by leaving critics unanswered and failing to plan succession.
About the book
The history follows George and John Hartford as they build a vertically integrated low-cost retailer, then examines the backlash from independent merchants, antitrust campaigns, strategic drift, and leadership succession after the founders' deaths.
Why read it
Best if you want a case of a dominant retailer under political attack whose fate, the book argues, turned on unanswered critics and unplanned succession.
Key themes
- Political attacks on a dominant retailer
- A self-inflicted decline
Evidence and original sources
Source: official Founders episode — #180
This record is supported by 2 public evidence rows linked to original Founders episodes.
- Jeff Bezos (Invention of a Global Empire) — David explains Amazon's leadership read The Great A&P because its account of political attacks on a dominant retailer echoed what Amazon was facing.