Analyzing The Categories Of Food Oriented Retailers Using...

Introduction Food-retailing constitutes of various categories when classified using the width and depth assortment classification system. This classification system focuses on the product lines of the food-store. The conventional supermarkets have been facing challenges because of the constant growth of combination stores and the superstore stores. This presents a need for the conventional market to devise ways which will enable them to face this competition. Additionally, it is imperative for a supermarket retailer to estimate the level of market saturation of a particular location before moving into that area. Various ways of evaluating this level exist. This paper will, therefore, analyze the categories of some food-oriented retailers using the width and depth assortment classification system. It will also assess the consequences of the growth of the combination stores and food-based superstores on the conventional supermarket while providing ways which will enable the conventional supermarket to remain competitive in the market. And finally, the ways that a supermarket retailer can estimate the level of market saturation of a location will be evaluated. Part A: Box or the Limited Line Store Box or limited line stores such Aldi, have a focus on a small range of item selection and limited manufacturer brands. Their stock typically constitutes few brands and sizes per item, few to no refrigeration of perishables, and generally have fewer items compared to other foodShow MoreRelatedmarketing questions13877 Words   |  56 Pagesquestion.    ____  Ã‚  Ã‚   1.  Ã‚   An interactive, flexible information system that enables managers to obtain and manipulate information as they are making decisions is called a: a. single-source system b. marketing information system c. primary data system d. marketing decision support system e. database marketing system       ____  Ã‚  Ã‚   2.  Ã‚   The function of _____ is to address what if questions. It entails planning, collecting, and analyzing data relevant to marketing decision making, and the communicationRead MoreA Study on Customer Preference in Retail Store- Adani Store28361 Words   |  114 Pagesdeciding the part of product mix requirement for upcoming hypermarket. 1. INTRODUCTION The first question that must be considered is: what is ‘retail’? The word retail is, in fact, derived from the French word RETAILER, which means to cut off a piece or break bulk. A retailer may be defined as a ‘dealer or trader who sells goods in small quantities’ or’ one who repeats or relates’. Retailing can hence, be considered as the last stage in the movement of goods and or services to the consumersRead Moretest bank16982 Words   |  68 Pagescomputers, the internet, and database marketing software. A) customer-centered strategies B) improved communication flow C) just-in-time manufacturing D) factory customization E) information technology 30) ______ 31) In a simple marketing system, if the automobile industry sends advertising and personal sales messages to prospective buyers, it expects ________ in exchange. A) services B) goods C) money D) information E) image enhancement 31) ______ 32) The strength of the ________Read MoreMarketing Management 14th Edition Test Bank Kotler Test Bank173911 Words   |  696 Pagesdemand E) unwholesome demand Answer: D Page Ref: 8 Objective: 2 AACSB: Analytic skills Difficulty: Moderate 14) People in emerging countries today are becoming increasingly health conscious and are seeking healthy food choices. As a result, demand for health foods is rising steadily, creating an opportunity for marketers to exploit this ________ market. A) demographic B) business C) need D) geographic E) service Answer: C Page Ref: 8 Objective: 2 AACSB: Analytic skills Difficulty:Read MoreMarketing Management130471 Words   |  522 Pagesvalue with another social unit. Marketing consists of all the activities to facilitate the exchange. Within this societal perspective, then (1) the makers (2) what they are marketing and (3) their potential markets all assume broad dimensions. The category of marketers might include, in addition to business firms, such diverse social units as (a) a political party trying to market its candidate to the public (b) the director of an art museum providing new exhibits to generate greater attendance andRead MoreMarketing Literature Review11908 Words   |  48 Pages 177, 178, 182, 183, 200, 201, 202, 205, 206, 225 Meet the Inner-City Shopper. Marcia Mogelonsky, American Demographics, 20 (December 1998), pp. 38–41. [Survey, Underserved market segments, Minorities, Demographic characteristics, Expenditures, Retailers, Market strategy, Apparel stores, Brand names, Salespeople, Statistical data.] 1 Ys in Love. Hele ne Stapinski, American Demographics, 21 (February 1999), pp. 62–68. [Trends, Generation Y, Traditions, Life choices, Conservative, Early marriages, ComputersRead MoreMarketing Channel44625 Words   |  179 Pagesdistribution D) distribution channel E) physical distribution Answer: B Diff: 3 Page Ref: 338 Skill: Concept Objective: 12-1 4) When suppliers, distributors, and customers partner with each other to improve the performance of the entire system, they are participating in a ________. A) value delivery network B) channel of distribution C) supply chain D) demand chain E) all of the above Answer: A Diff: 1 Page Ref: 338 Skill: Concept Objective: 12-1 5) Most producers today sellRead MoreMarketing Management Mcq Test Bank53975 Words   |  216 PagesPearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 16) According to brand asset valuator model, energized differentiation and relevance, the two pillars of brand equity combine to determine what is called brand ________. A) position B) image C) depth D) knowledge E) strength Answer: E Page Ref: 245 Objective: 2 AACSB: Analytic skills Difficulty: Easy 17) According to brand asset valuator model, esteem and knowledge, the two pillars of brand equity together create ________, a report card on pastRead MoreLinkages Of Peri Urban Community9971 Words   |  40 Pagesinadmissible; the relationship between PUAs, urban and rural areas. PUAs are characterized by the mixed activities in the region; presence of both rural and urban activities. The relationship can be classified into three factors; †¢ Economic: agricultural/food production, industrial activities, commercial setups (e.g. shopping malls, recreational facilities etc.) †¢ Social: religious institutions, educational institutions, place of work, transportation etc. †¢ Environmental: various landuses (residentialRead MoreChap 533156 Words   |  133 PagesActivity-Based Costing and Customer Profitability Analysis Cases |5-1 |Blue Ridge Manufacturing (Activity-Based Costing for Marketing Channels) | |5-2 |Columbo Soft-Serve Frozen Yogurt: Using Activity Based Costing To Assess Channel/Customer Profitability | |5-3 |Wilson Electronics (A) | |5-4 |Wilson Electronics (B)

Adolescent Desires in Where Are You Going, Where Have You...

Connie is like the average American girl who has just hit adolescence. She cant seem to walk past a mirror without examining herself in it first, she is at war with her mother, and thinks about boys round-the-clock. It is a hot summer in the sixties and many teens have little to do so they spend their time out and about at the local shops. The high temperatures send Connie and her friends to do the same. One night while in the street a random man makes a comment towards Connie and she thinks nothing of it. Days later, while alone in her family home the same man shows up at her door. He asks her to join him but she refuses. After a few brash threats she complies and joins the strange man for a ride in his gold car. In the short story, Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? by author Joyce Carol Oates the protagonist Connie is conflicted by her desires, adolescent females from all decades can relate to the desires synonymous with adulthood. In the present day many adolescence fall victim when experiencing adolescent desires for attention, some excitement, and the ideas of freedom. When Connie first opens her front door to the familiar stranger it seems innocentÍ ¾ a man pursuing his crush. After a few minutes of chatting Connie realizes that the stranger, named Arnold Friend, is much older than her. Arnold use the fact that she is young to manipulate her, and he â€Å"insinuates himself into her thinking, attempting to persuade her that hes her lover.†. He is trying to beShow MoreRelated Critical Analysis of Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?857 Words   |  4 PagesIn Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? the author, Joyce Carol Oates, essentially asserts that the nuances of ones personality are not generated from within, but rather shaped by external circumstances. This is an argument whose justification is abundantly clear in the inner conflict of Connie, the protagonist of the book. The source of that struggle is her unstable relationship with her family, which ultimately results in her identity conflict. As one who always been deprivedRead MoreFantasy Vs. Reality Where are you going, Where have you been Essay1205 Words   |  5 Pages Fantasy versus Reality in Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? by Joyce Carol Oates has a constant theme of reality and fantasy running parallel for 15 year old Connie. This short story begins with a description of Connie’s vain personality. The narrator describes her as pretty and self-centered (Oates 421). To emphasize her selfishness, Connie is contrasted with her sister, June, who is chubby, plain, and well-behaved. Connie’s mother alwaysRead MoreWhere Are You Going, Where Have You Been?1021 Words   |  5 PagesWhere Are You Going, Where Have You Been? By Joyce Carol Oates A short story titled Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? tells a tale of an adolescent girl who suffers consequences of growing up in the unsupportive environment and the society preoccupied by the media. It is considered to be the most famous work of Joyce Carol Oates, an American writer, the winner of many significant literary awards and a two- time candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature. The story was firstRead More`` Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?1447 Words   |  6 PagesImmaturity is a term most commonly associated with adolescence. As a young adolescent, high school is the center of the world and it is difficult to see beyond that. Social status is vital to Connie, the lead character in â€Å"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?,† written by Joyce Carol Oats. School is her chance to be who she does not get to be at home. Like Connie, many other adolescents try to act older than they really are. Teenagers are especially prone to this be cause their brains are notRead MoreAnalysis Of The Novel An Ounce Of Cure 911 Words   |  4 PagesIdentified, 1986. Print. â€Å"An Ounce of Cure† depicts the challenges of being a young girl, narrated by an unnamed female perspective, taken place in the 1960’s. The main character’s primary conflicts revolve around the battle of inner emotions and desires to be anything but average. The protagonist, which is the young girl in this story, faces challenges while trying to deal with the ending of an overly intensified relationship. It wasn’t until after she had attempted suicide, and had fallen underRead MoreWhere Are You Going? Where Have You Been?1466 Words   |  6 Pages In 1966, Joyce carol oates wrote a short story called â€Å"Where are you going? Where have you been?†. The story is about a young girl name connie who is very beautiful, and because of this her mother hates her. Connie is a troubled teen who finds herself the center a man, Arnold Friend. He first meets her when she went to a drive in restaurant with her friends. On sunday arnold came to her house an d tried to get her to take a ride with him. As she became scared and tried to get him to go away, heRead MoreWhere Are You Going? Where Have You Been?2044 Words   |  9 Pagesstory â€Å"Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been?† both characters, Connie and Arnold, suffer from having dual identities. Connie is an individual who acts completely different outside her home, where she tries to portray an image of being sexually appealing. However, she is the complete opposite within her home, where she hides her sexuality and acts more like the adolescent she really is. Arnold is a mature man, something Connie is looking for in life and this intrigues her. Both characters have troubleRead MoreI Know You Want It1865 Words   |  8 PagesIsabella Salas-Allende Professor Vines FWS: Short Stories 11/8/15 Blurred Lines I know you want it. I know you want it. I know you what it†¦ My back was pressed against the wall, partly because I couldn’t stand up straight on my own. You re a good girl†¦ The obnoxious music penetrated deep past my ear drum and pumped through me. The stench of sweat and stale foamy beer consumed the air. Blackness engulfed me and all the other one hundred clammy bodies in the room. Their erratic body movements wereRead MoreFailed Mother-Child Relationships in Margaret Atwood’s Oryx and Crake2805 Words   |  12 Pagesand taking care of her husband (79). Jimmy quickly realizes thathe must bend to his mother’s moods and learns to find ways of getting her attention.More than anything, he seeks to get any reaction out of her, even if it is negative.Jimmy’s common adolescent attention-getting behavior underscores his mother’sneglectful parenting style, eliciting readers’ sympathy for Jimmy. Jimmy mourns his mother throughout the rest of the novel. 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Homelessness in Canada-Free-Sample for Students-Myassignmenthelp

Questions: Write a paper that discusses the relationship between private property, homelessness, and human rights. Specifically, what is the relationship between market forces, government regulation, and the courts when it comes to the right to adequate housing? Answers: Introduction The global economy and social patterns have experienced huge dynamics with time and have changed significantly with respect to economic growth, development, and social welfare parameters. Over the years, few countries have emerged as prominent players in the global economy and have shown significantly impressive traits in terms of progress in economic, social, political as well as human welfare domains. Canada has been one such country (Schneider pp. 5-7). In the recent few decades, Canada has shown significant progress in the overall framework and currently ranks tenth in the world in terms of nominal GDP. The real estate industry being the most dominant sector, the country also is one of the largest exporters of natural gas and petroleum on one hand and also has a flourishing manufacturing sector on the other hand (Gilpin). However, the country, in the last few decades has been experiencing a critical issue of lack of affordable housing facilities and a resulting problem of homelessness. Much of this can be attributed to the economic prosperity of the country and a consequent increase in the population as well as standard of living of the residents of the country in general, which in turn has lead to increase in the demand for housing (Gaetz, Gulliver and Richter). The essay tries to shed light on this issue of immense concern in the scenario of Canada, emphasizing on the aspects of government regulation, market forces and the legal framework in the domain of adequate housing. Homelessness in Canada One of the primary social issues faced by the governing authorities of Canada is the consistently increasing problem of homelessness in the country. According to the empirical evidences, in the current periods, more than 200,000 residents in the country have to face homelessness and at least 150,000 of the residents are compelled to use homeless shelters at any given point of time (Patrick). There is also another complicated phenomenon occurring in this country, which can be termed as Hidden Homelessness. This, by the definition of the term, refers to those Canadians who cannot afford to have their own homes and have to stay with their relatives or friends. In this aspect it is important to emphasize on the statistics regarding the homelessness in the country which is elaborated in the following section (Crawley et al. pp. 674-680). Degree of homelessness Homelessness being one of the most chronic problems in the country as a whole, the problem is however, more acute in case of certain sectors of the population, specifically in case of single adults lying in the age group of 25 to 55 years, who account for nearly 47.5% of the total homelessness in the country. 20% of all the homeless people in the country comprises of youth, with the problem being more acute in the cases of transgender and different sexually oriented people. The aboriginals of the country are also highly vulnerable to this issue of homelessness, with their problem expanding even more with time (Evenson and Carolann). Homelessness in the country, however, is of different types, depending upon the nature, tenure and extent of homelessness, which, with respect to the scenario in Canada, can be elaborated as follows: Chronic Homelessness- This type of homelessness refers to the problem of long term lack of shelter, which accounts for homelessness of nearly 4000 to 8000 people in the country. Episodic Homelessness- The residents in the country who move in and out of the shelters in the country multiple times in a year, which comprises of nearly 6000 to 22000 people in the country (Gaetz et al.). Transitional Homelessness- In general, transitional homelessness is a type of short-term homelessness in which the people stay homeless for less than a month. This type of homelessness comprises of the biggest share of the homeless population in the country (176,000 to 188,000). Causes of homelessness in Canada As can be seen from the above discussion, homelessness is one of the most acute crises of concern in the country. Canada being one of the most prospering nations in the world, the problem of homelessness comes as a huge concern for the governing authorities of the country (Sylvestre and Bellot). There may be various causes for the continuous and persistent problem of homelessness in Canada, the significant ones being discussed in the following sections: a) Poverty- One of the main contributing factors, which result in the increase in the homelessness in the country, is the presence of poverty in the country, which in turn results in lack of affordability of housing in the country. The magnitude of this problem has increased even more, in the recent years, with the country progressing hugely in terms of economic growth, which in contributed in making the country a lucrative place for staying in terms of employment opportunities, higher standard of living and others (Saddichha et al.). This has resulted in even higher demand for housing, thereby making housing even less affordable. b) Lack of supply- Along with the presence of a higher demand in the housing market of the country already, the lack of supply of affordable housing in Canada has aggravated the crisis even more. Due to the presence of excess demand in the market, the supplies of housing, especially the private sector profit-maximizing ones have increased the price of their housing facilities, which in turn has contributed significantly to the already existing problems of homelessness in the country. c) Increase in inflow of new immigrants- One of the primary reasons behind the increase in the problem of homelessness in the country can be the recent trend of increased immigration in the country from other parts of the world. Canada, in the last few years, have developed immensely in terms of economic and industrial aspects and the country currently boasts of its robust industrial, service and export sectors, which in turn attracts a lot of potential workers from all over the world, for a better standard of living. Apart from the employment sector, the education sector of the country is also one of the primary attractions in the country. Canada has some of the finest universities in the world, which attracts huge number of students from across the country, which in turn increases the demand for housing in the country, thereby increasing their prices. d) Drug and alcohol abuse- One of the contributing reasons behind homelessness in the country, which is very subjective to Canada itself is the presence of the problem of drug, substance and alcohol abuse, which is typically high in the country and is itself separately a cause of concern for the governing authorities of Canada. The problem of drug and alcohol abuse, brings the problem of domestic violence and separation from family which in turn increases the problem of acuteness in the country. e) System failure- The problems of homelessness is not restricted to the demand side only. There is also presence of system failure in the country, which increase the vulnerability of homelessness in the country. The system failures in the residential sector of the country includes lack of supports for the immigrants and the refugees, inappropriate planning for those with mental health issues and addiction to substances and drugs and others. The government of the country, apart from this, has also failed to prevent the illegal activities of tax evasion and political lobbying by the influential classes, which in turn has made the magnitude of the crisis even high (Embleton et al. pp. 435-444). f) Housing investments- In the recent periods, housing facilities are also seen as an alternative and fruitful investment opportunity for the investors as well as households in the country. This in turn has led to the practice of the upper income Canadians to invest in this sector, thereby decreasing the availability and affordability of the middle and lower class even more (Spinello pp. 12-22). Apart from the above-mentioned factors, there also remain other contributing reasons, which cumulatively cause the current problem of homelessness in Canada, in the recent years. Right to Adequate Housing in Canada In Canada, with overall high progress in the economy, the government of the country works effectively as a whole in the domain of social welfare of the residents of the country and has a robust framework of public policies, in order to increase the overall welfare of the people living in the country. In this aspect, adequate housing, in terms of international law, can be defined as the right of the citizens of the country, especially the women, men, children and youth to receive a peaceful residential facility in the community (Norman and Pauly pp. 136-151). In this context, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, along with the protection of other economic and social privileges of the citizens, is also bestowed with the responsibility of ensuring the right of adequate housing of the citizens in the country. The Article 11, especially focuses on this aspect and on the continuous improvement of the living conditions of the people. The Human Rights Declaration also focuses on the same rights in their Article 25(1) (Hovenkamp). However, in the domain of adequate housing, apart from just providing the facility of housing to the residents, there also are certain facilities, which are included: Tenure Security- The residents need protection from forced eviction, intimidations and harassments (Gold pp. 185-198) Availability of infrastructure- The presence of only a physical structure is not sufficient. Under adequate housing, the provisions of safe drinking water, sanitation, electricity and other emergency services should also be made available Affordability- The housing should be available at affordable prices for all strata in the society Location- Adequate housing should be provided to the citizens at convenient locations so as to make working and doing other regular daily activities. However, in spite of the presence of legal framework for facilitating adequate housing in the country, for the residents of the concerned country, irrespective of their income level, affordability and social status, there exists huge lack of housing facilities in the country. This is especially true in case of the middle and lowers income classes as well as the immigrants as well as the refugees in the country, for whom finding a housing matching their requirement as well as their purchasing power (Taylor pp. 255-273). Potential Measures to prevent homelessness in Canada As can be asserted from the above discussion, homelessness is one of the primary issues of concern in Canada and the problem has been continuously increasing with time and increase in the population in the country. The government of Canada has taken considerable steps in this regard to facilitate affordable housings for the residents of the country. However, in spite of these policies, there remains sufficient lack in this aspect, for which the following steps can be taken by the concerned governing authorities: a) Limiting foreign ownership of local lands- One of the main way of increasing housing facilities for the residents of the country is to restrict the buying of land in the country by the foreign individuals for non-residential purpose and restricting this facility to only those who live in the country and are tax payers in Canada only (Daly). b) Restricting tax evasion- The problem of tax evasion is one of the chronic issues in this sector of the country, which in turn illegally helps a sector of the population to acquire residential facilities, depriving a large section of the population. This problem can be mitigated to a considerable extent by implementation of stricter tax policies in this aspect (Waldbrook). c) Housing first strategy- Housing sector has to be prioritized by the governing authorities. Provision of homes should be kept even before drug addiction and mental health problems (Gaetz, Scott and Gulliver). d) Increasing supply of affordable housing- The shortages of affordable housing can be decreased to a considerable extent by the municipality and the governing authorities by increasing the supply of the same and making them more affordable to the residents. Conclusion From the above discussion, it can be concluded that though Canada has emerged as one of the influential economies in the world, however, the economy is still struggling in several aspects, one f which is the increasing issue of homelessness of the residents of the country. Though the government of the country has taken impressive steps to combat the situation, there remain scopes of improvement in this aspect, which if properly implemented and planned can reduce the problem of homelessness in Canada to a considerable extent. References Crawley, J., et al. "Needs of the hidden homelessno longer hidden: a pilot study."Public Health127.7 (2013): 674-680. Daly, Gerald.Homeless: Policies, strategies and lives on the streets. Routledge, 2013. Embleton, Lonnie, et al. "Causes of child and youth homelessness in developed and developing countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis."JAMA pediatrics170.5 (2016): 435-444. Evenson, Jeff, and Carolann Barr. "Youth Homelessness in Canada." (2013). Gaetz, Stephen, et al. "Youth homelessness in Canada: Implications for policy and practice." (2013). Gaetz, Stephen, Fiona Scott, and Tanya Gulliver. "Housing First in Canada: Supporting communities to end homelessness." (2013). Gaetz, Stephen, Tanya Gulliver, and Tim Richter.The state of homelessness in Canada 2014. Canadian Homelessness Research Network, 2014. Gilpin, Robert.The political economy of international relations. Princeton University Press, 2016. Gold, E. Richard. "Patents and human rights: A heterodox analysis."The Journal of Law, Medicine Ethics41.1 (2013): 185-198. Hovenkamp, Herbert.IP and antitrust: an analysis of antitrust principles applied to intellectual property law. Vol. 1. Wolters Kluwer Law Business, 2016. Norman, Trudy, and Bernadette Pauly. "Including people who experience homelessness: A scoping review of the literature."International journal of sociology and social policy33.3/4 (2013): 136-151. Patrick, Caryl.Aboriginal homelessness in Canada: A literature review. Canadian Homelessness Research Network, 2014. Saddichha, Sahoo, et al. "Homeless and incarcerated: An epidemiological study from Canada."International Journal of Social Psychiatry60.8 (2014): 795-800. Schneider, Friedrich. "Size and development of the shadow economy of 31 European and 5 other OECD countries from 2003 to 2013: a further decline."Johannes Kepler Universitt, Linz(2013): 5-7. Spinello, Richard A. "Intellectual property rights."Library hi tech25.1 (2007): 12-22. Sylvestre, Marie-Eve, and Cline Bellot. "Challenging discriminatory and punitive responses to homelessness in Canada." (2014). Taylor, Susannah. "Structural violence, oppression, and the place-based marginality of homelessness."Canadian Social Work Review/Revue canadienne de service social(2013): 255-273. Waldbrook, Natalie. "Exploring opportunities for healthy aging among older persons with a history of homelessness in Toronto, Canada."Social Science Medicine128 (2015): 126-133.

The use and importance of official crime statistics Research Paper Example

The use and importance of official crime statistics Paper This paper will consider which activities are officially counted as crime and feature in the official crime statistics, opening with a view as to why some activities do, whilst others, quite clearly and equally criminal, do not figure amongst these official statistics. This approach acknowledges that not all crimes, for whatever reasons, are reported to or acted upon by the police. We will consider serious and dangerous activities that some may deem equally criminal but which never find their way into the official statistics as a result of what Steven Box identifies as ideological mystification. Having examined this paradoxical situation, we will consider the futility of using crime statistics in the tracking of crimes, and in the implementation of measures against them. Before addressing this question, it would be helpful to be aware of what official criminal statistics represent in reality, and what they can actually tell us. Given this understanding, it seems that we can never be completely sure that the data, which represent certain activities as crime, fully reflects the true extent to which crime is being committed. There are many variables that need to be taken account of, such as the number of pursuits legally counted as crimes that are actually being reported to, and recorded by, the police. The most important issue here is the requirement for consistency in recording; yet the discretion that we know to be open to, and exercised by, the police affords them the freedom to manipulate the records in order to suit some hidden agenda or ulterior motive (e. g. he need for the police to meet Key Performance Indicators; or attempts to show crime as being higher or lower than the figures would in actual fact suggest), thus allowing the statistics to be constructed in such a way as to mislead and misinform politicians and the general public about the level of crime in our society. We will write a custom essay sample on The use and importance of official crime statistics specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The use and importance of official crime statistics specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The use and importance of official crime statistics specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Therefore, if we do not have a clear picture from true and accurate statistics, it would appear to be futile to rely on these for the purposes of tracking crime or, indeed, in applying the measures taken against it. The dark figure of crime (unrecorded crimes) is not represented within the official criminal statistics. These unrecorded crimes can include anything from the pilfering of property in the workplace, to vandalism and the violent abuse of women and children within the home, (Muncie, J. 1998). These are crimes more usually picked up in self-reports or victimisation studies conducted by the British Crime Study (BCS) and which can be said to illustrate something of the disparity existent between the official statistics and peoples life experience of crimes. In 1982 and 1984, the BCS suggested that only about half of known crime is reported to the police. Since this is the case, and given the fact that very little is known about the bulk of criminal activity in Britain, the official crime statistics are far from representative of the reality of crime in Britain and so are of very little use in informing policy measures taken against it; although it could be argued that they may be of some use to certain politicians wishing to embark upon a law and order campaign. It could also be argued that these statistics may be used to point the finger at certain sections of the populace for purely political reasons. Steven Box (1981), poses the powerful argument, for example, that criminal laws are little more than ideological constructions representing the interests of an influential ruling elite. Box argues that laws tend to focus on those victimizing behaviours that are considered more serious and given greater prominence in the public perception, as constituting the most serious of social problems and deserving of no less serious responses. Crimes such as murder, rape, robbery and burglary are clearly reflected within the official crime statistics as perpetrated by predominantly young men of low socio-economic status. Amongst these, the uneducated, unemployed and ethnic minorities are over-represented and form the bulk of the prison population. This apparently tells us that particular sections of the populace are the most likely perpetrators of crime and criminal activity within society. However, statistics such as these do not tell us that, as Box indicates, far more serious crimes and criminality occur on a regular basis yet go unnoticed. A large number of these offences are crimes committed by the rich and powerful, which are carried out on the relatively powerless; real people who suffer avoidable death and serious injury for want of the proper implementation of current health and safety regulations at work and elsewhere. Criminal law also excludes from protection consumers who have been sold faulty products through the malpractices of manufacturers, or shareholders that incur losses resulting from the deliberate mismanagement of a company by its directors or senior management. (Box, 1981). Thus, the official criminal statistics would appear actually to hide the crimes of the more powerful, wealthy and privileged individuals within society whilst simultaneously serving to overemphasize and overstate those criminal activities of the weak. This effectively distorts and renders unreliable the official picture of crime as portrayed by the state. In relation to our question, it would appear then that the official crime statistics are far from representative of the true extent and reality of crime in our society, and although the vast majority of people wish to be protected from the very real crimes featured in the official statistics, they are notoriously unreliable indicators of the incidence of crime or, indeed, of the types of crime being committed in contemporary Britain. Therefore, the remainder of the question seems to be a fruitless pursuit unless we wish to advocate various conspiracy theories and speak in terms of the official crime statistics serving purposes such as controlling targeted sections of the populace by tracking their particular activities and informing the measures taken in combating these, whilst simultaneously serving to cover up the crimes of the rich and powerful elite and distract attention from their activities. In point of fact, that line of argument would result in the assertion that the official crime statistics actually serve to help maintain this particular, current, status quo.