A sectoral survey focused on ways in which vocational training plans are formulated and analysis of the cost effectiveness of continuing vocational training at the company level. It examined techniques applied to developing continuing vocational training and improving access. National surveys carried out for the retail trade sector revealed characteristics of a national nature. Analysis suggested that in spite of differences between nations and the diversity of geographical, economic, cultural, and institutional factors, the sector in all member states of the European Community would be affected by five trends: aging of the population, more diversified and sophisticated consumer demands, increasing competition, internationalization, and greater use of information technologies. In conjunction with the four characteristics common to all countries (rise in overall proportion of female workers, decrease in average age of workers, increased mobility, and frequency of seasonal work and fixed contracts), these factors would have important repercussions on employment and general organization in the sector. The need for raising qualifications and the priority given to quality of the labor force were being felt. Greater emphasis on training required new forms of organization. An increasing trend was to carry out training within the company. Generally, training was voluntary. Training expenditure was markedly less than the national average, was higher in large companies, and had increased over recent years. (YLB)