Compete on a shopping task A small retailer cannot stock every product or match every promotion. It can become especially useful for a set of recurring shopping needs. In BRICS cities and towns, that may mean reliable household essentials, a trusted specialist category or convenient replenishment for nearby offices. The commercial opportunity starts with understanding what customers expect to find and how costly it is when the item is missing. A focused assortment can serve that demand better than a crowded catalogue. The OECD's Local Retail, Global Trends report examines digital, environmental and skills changes affecting smaller retailers in Europe. Its geography should not be confused with BRICS evidence. OECD retail report. The transferable question is how a local…