We have an exciting and vibrant research environment at Aston Business School that enables our PhD students to be engaged in various research events and seminars (Aston Business School-wide and PhD-specific). Our PhDs have a dedicated research society which organises various social and academic related events throughout the year, including the ABS Annual Doctoral Conference. We strongly believe that these activities are an essential part of ensuring our PhD students are engaged and motivated throughout the duration of their PhD journey. Our academic departments also run research seminar series (and other activities) where PhD students are encouraged to present their research and get feedback from colleagues. In addition, our Summer School in Advanced Research Methods offers additional training opportunities necessary for a successful academic career.<br><br>Our retailing research addresses relevant problems or challenges by applying rigorous techniques and methods. This helps produce conclusions with impact. The uniting element is the use of rigorous, state-of-the-art methods. Increasing attention is placed on research involving Big Data – for example, modelling and predicting behaviour in retail settings. Recent research includes: Managing retail and service businesses, Developing sustained competitive advantages, retail technology and innovation, Investigating chain-profit models, Improving franchise businesses, Understanding the changing role of consumers, employees and organisations in a solution selling environment Assessing changing and evolving relationships between customers and firms, Making marketing activities measurable.