Racism: a barrier to entry? Experiences of small ethnic minority retail businesses

The participation of ethnic minorities in self-employment has been a phenomenon of the British labour market for many decades. One area in which there has been a preponderance of ethnic minority groups, especially those of South Asian origin, has been the independent retail sector, where many set up what became commonly known as ‘corner shops’. This sector has experienced radical change in the last decade, which has posed a real threat to the livelihood of business owners, leading to a decline in the number and profitability of shops.