The Centre for the History of Retailing and Distribution (CHORD) invites proposals for papers that explore the relationship between retailing, commerce and human bodies, in Britain and beyond. Any aspect of the commercial and retail practices practices that are connected to the business of exploiting, caring for, or 'improving' bodies would be welcome and there are no restrictions in terms of the historical period covered.

Possible topics include (but are not limited to):

- Hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons

- Undertakers and funeral parlours

- Marketing, bodies and sexuality

- Tattoo parlours and tanning salons

- Grooming products, perfumery and toiletries

- Measuring, fitting and 'trying-on'

- Massage parlours, Turkish baths and spas

- Photography shops and portaiture

To submit a proposal, please send title and abstract of c.300 to 400 words to Laura Ugolini at l.ugolini@wlv.ac.uk by 21 February 2014.

The workshop will be held at the University of Wolverhampton, on Wolverhampton City Campus, a mere 10-minute walk from Wolverhampton’s bus and train stations. For directions see http://www.wlv.ac.uk/default.aspx?page=6856

For further information, please e-mail: Dr Laura Ugolini at l.ugolini@wlv.ac.uk or Dr Karin Dannehl at k.dannehl@wlv.ac.uk.

Or see the workshop web-page at: http://home.wlv.ac.uk/~in6086/bodies.htm

News about CHORD events can now also be found here: http://retailhistory.wordpress.com/about/