ON THE COMMODITY TRAIL.

The Bargain Store follows the path of low-end commodities from rubbish dumps in China to the pound/euro/dollar stores of Europe and North America and finally into the home of the customer, exploring both the personal stories and global implications of these commodity trails.

From raw materials on municipal rubbish dumps in the Far East, to newly re-made products and a journey across the seas, to bargain stores in Europe and North America and eventually to the homes of consumers, this is the complex story behind society's simplest and cheapest commodities. Weaving together compelling narratives from individuals at different parts of the commodity chain, including waste peddlers, wholesalers, stores owners and shoppers, this book considers the places and people at the heart of these localized, yet immense global networks. Following eight key objects, On the Commodity Trail combines ethnographies of material culture with a broader consideration of commodity culture at a time of global recession. This study explores the prevalence of the bargain store in our towns and cities and delves into the colourful and illuminating histories behind the objects on the shelf. Alison Hulme is Associate Lecturer at Goldsmiths, University of London, UK, part-time Lecturer at University College Dublin, Ireland, and Visiting Fellow at University of Otago, New Zealand.