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This paper analyzes the total factor productivity developments in the Middle East banking, by drawing on the experience of Jordanian banks at the start of the new millennium. In order to control for the effects of different specifications of banking technology on the results, this study estimates the productivity and efficiency growth scores under two alternative approaches, production and intermediation models. On average, under the former model, we found 79% technical efficiency and 3.2% productivity growth, while under the later model we found 92% technical efficiency and 3.3% productivity growth for the sector. One implication is that the Jordanian banks can obtain considerable resource savings if they can catch up with the best practice banks. Among the organizational forms operating in this emerging market, we found that commercial banks generally outperform both investment and Islamic banks in terms of efficiency and total factor productivity growth.

Power has long been shifting from manufacturers to retailers in marketing channels and there is an intensive competition in the retail sector. Retailers need to follow changing consumer trends and technological developments closer and design their marketing strategies accordingly. Thus studies about  retailing has become more important than ever. The purpose of this conceptual study is to examine the reflections of changing consumer trends and technological developments on retailing.  Within the study, it is observed that; (i) in retailing, understanding how consumers behave as shoppers in different channels is an important key to success,  (ii) retailing should be adapted to changing consumer trends, (iii) technologies used in retailing are grouped under three categories which are smart technologies, biometric technologies and technologies developed for different dimensions of reality, these technologies provide substantial benefits for retailers and consumers, but high switching and implementation costs, (iv) consumers’ approach towards these technologies and consumers’ worries about  privacy of personal information should also be considered while evaluating these technologies. In the conclusion part of the study, some recommendations are made for retailers. This innovative study is expected to contribute to retailers and the retailing literature.