hi
Dont know that I can be of much help, but I just picked up on your post because one branch of my family went into the grocery business. Various sons set up (or took over)grocery shops in all different parts of the country, and like you I wonder we followed them through various diectories. and like you, we wondered what eventually happened to the various shops and businesses.
As for tracing after 1901. From 1911 the full BMD indexes are invaluable, as they give surname of spouse on the marriages, and mothers maiden name on the births. i have traced many a branch forward simply with those indexes alone, if they have an unusual ish name and stay in the area. Sadly they are no longer free to search online. If you have a subscription to ancestry they are. If not, and you can get into London, then you can search free in person att eh FRC for a bit longer before it moves.
Another resourse I have found invaluable are wills. Often a will will mention all of the deceased's offspring, sometimes giving the married names of daughters, mentioneing son or daughter in laws, sometimes giving addresses etc, often mentioneing other family members. Then when th eperson actually dies and probate is granted, if one of the 'children' is executor, as if often the case, then it will have their address at the time. Helps no end in tracing movement of the next generation. Also gives occupation - so you can see if they are still grocers or not.
Electorall Rols are also good for the later years. I believe they too would be at the Record Office
By the 1900's many more people left wills, and I have been lucky with my grocers (ag labs not so successsful!)
I was also goingto suggest going to Hunts record office and seeing what they have - but loks like you have done that one already!
