Retailers and Independents

• Retailers are businesses that purchase goods from manufacturers or suppliers and sell directly to consumers.
• Retailers offer services to manufacturers and sellers.
• Retailers buy in large quantities from manufacturers/wholesalers, and sell in smaller quantities to consumers, known as bulk breaking.
• Retailers are usually in convenient locations with good parking.
• Retailers add value by providing packing help, delivery, repairs, product information, guarantees, and gift wrapping.
• Businesses can select from various retailers to sell their products.

Independents

• These are relatively small outlets, like newsagents, general stores, greengrocers, delicatessens, and specialists such as bicycle, jewellery, and toy shops.
• Many are owned by sole traders.
• They are located on high streets, shopping centers or malls, small villages, and towns.

Supermarkets

• These are large stores that sell up to 20,000 product lines, including groceries, fresh food, greeting cards, clothes, electrical goods, and books.
• They are cheaper than independents because they buy in bulk.
• Many are located on the outskirts of towns and cities where land is cheaper.
• They usually offer free parking.
• They aim to meet the needs of consumers who prefer ‘one-stop-shopping’.

Department Stores

• These are large stores split into distinct selling departments, such as menswear, nightwear, cosmetics, food, gifts, and children’s clothing.
• They aim to provide quality products with high levels of customer service.
• Sales staff may receive training in the different products sold in their particular department.
• They are often found in city centers.
• Harrods in London, UK, is a department store.

Multiples or Chain Stores

• Chain stores involve one owner opening multiple stores selling similar goods in many locations.
• Each chain store looks similar and is controlled by a central office with standardised product range, pricing, storefronts, layout, staff uniform, and staff training and wages.
• Chain stores specialize in product lines such as menswear, children’s clothes, ladies clothes, shoes, food products, domestic appliances, sportswear, books or toiletries.
• They buy in bulk directly from manufacturers, so their costs and sales remain low.
• Their range of goods is often limited and staff may be unmotivated due to a lack of incentives.

Superstores or Hypermarkets

• Large stores located on the outskirts of towns sell a variety of goods under one roof.
• They are sometimes like warehouses.
• Hypermarkets offer shopping without non-essential services.
• Goods are not displayed attractively.
• They are cheaper than supermarkets and offer a wider product range.

Kiosks and Street Vendors

• These are small outlets selling a limited range of goods.
• They are in airports, bus and train stations, streets and at cinemas.
• They often sell fast food, confectionery, newspapers, and a limited range of clothes.
• They operate with low set-up costs and minimal overheads, but costs depend on location.

Market Traders

• Small-time businesses sell goods from market stalls.
• They are common with low overheads and are often cheaper than other retailers.
• Some market traders move between markets, and some sell their goods from the same permanently located stall like in souks.

Online Retailers

• Online retailers like Amazon buy goods from manufacturers and sell them to customers online.

Retailers buy goods from manufacturers and sell to consumers. They offer services such as bulk breaking, convenient locations, and value-added services like packing and delivery. Independent retailers are small outlets often owned by sole traders in various locations.