Abstract:

The paper illustrates how techniques, developed for monitoring sales of one 'fast-moving' product - petrol - have been adapted and translated to another 'fast moving' product - gramophone records - within the retail environment as a result of technical innovation. It is not intended that this method will wholly replace the diary system for all shops, but that it shall be used in those outlets in which a diary is not totally suitable. The importance to the research operation is to improve the representation of the sample and to make the operation even more robust by expanding the data base.