Firm's particular combination of store location,

operating procedures, goods/services offered,

pricing tactics, store atmosphere and customer

services, and promotional methods.

Firm that consumers view as distinctive

enough to become loyal to it.

Consumers go out of their way to shop

there.

Theory stating that retail innovators often first

appear as low-price operators with low costs and

low profit margins. Over time, they upgrade the

products carried and improve facilities and c

customer services. They then become vulnerable

to new discounters with lower cost structures.

Occurs when a retailer adds goods and services

that may be unrelated to each other and to the

firm's original business.

Theory asserting that institutions - like the

goods and services they sell - pass through

identifiable life stages: introduction (early

growth), growth (accelerated development),

maturity, and decline.

The combinations of

separately owned retail firms.

Way in which retailers become active in business

outside their normal operations - and add stores

in different goods/service categories.

Unprofitable stores closed or divisions sold off by

retailers unhappy with performance.

Convenience Store

Well-located food-oriented retailer that is open long hours

and carries a moderate number of items. It is small, with a

average to above-average prices and average atmosphere

and services.

Supermarket

Self-service food store with grocery, meat, and produce

departments and minimum annual sales of $2 million. The

category includes conventional supermarkets, food-based

superstores, combination stores, box (limited-line) stores,

and warehouse stores.

Conventional Supermarket

Departmentalized food store with a wide range

of food and related products; sales of general

merchandise are rather limited.

Food-based Superstore

Retailer that is larger and more diversified than a

conventional supermarket but usually smaller and less

diversified than a combination store. It caters to consumers'

complete grocery needs and offers them the ability to buy

fill-in general merchandise.

Combination Store

Unites supermarket and general merchandise

sales in one facility, with general merchandise

typically accounting for 25 to 40 percent of total

sales.

Supercenter

Combination store blending an economy

supermarket with a discount department store.

Hypermarket

Combination store pioneered in Europe that

blends an economy supermarket with a discount

department store. It is even larger than a

supercenter.

Box (limited-line) store

Food-based discounter that focuses on a small

selection of items, moderate hours of operation

(compared to supermarkets), few services, and

limited manufacturer brands.

Warehouse Store

Food-based discounter offering a moderate

number of food items in a no-frills setting.

Specialty Store

Retailer that concentrates on selling

one goods or service line.

Category Killer 

(Power Retailer)

Very large specialty store featuring an enormous

selection in its product category and relatively

low prices. It draws consumers from wide

geographic areas.

Department Store

Large store with an extensive assortment (width and depth)

of goods and services that has separate departments for

purposes of buying, promotion, customer service, and

control.

Traditional Department Store

Type of department store in which merchandise quality

ranges from average to quite good, pricing is moderate to

above average, and customer service ranges from medium

levels of sales help, credit, delivery, and so forth to high

levels of each.

Full-line Discount Store

Type of department store with a broad, low-priced product

assortment; all of the range of products expected at

department stores; centralized checkout service; self-

service; private-brand nondurables and well-known

manufacturer-brand durables; less fashion-sensitive

merchandise; relatively inexpensive building, equipment,

and fixtures; and less emphasis on credit.

Variety Store

Outlet that handles a wide assortment of inexpensive and

popularly priced goods and services, such as apparel and

accessories, costume jewelry, notions and small wares,

candy, toys, and other items in the price range.

Off-Price Chain

Features brand-name apparel and accessories, footwear,

linens, fabrics, cosmetics, and/or housewares and sells

them at everyday low prices in an efficient, limited-service

environment.

Factory Outlet

Manufacturer-owned store selling its closeouts,

discontinued merchandise, irregulars, canceled

orders, and, sometimes, in-season, first-quality

merchandise.

Membership (Warehouse) Club

Appeals to price-conscious consumers, who must

be members to shop.

Flea Market

Location where many vendors offer a range of

products at discount prices in plain surroundings.

Many flea markets are located in nontraditional

sites not normally associated with retailing.