Britannica Money (2024)

Retailing is the selling of goods and services to consumer end users. Retailing is seen as a contrast to wholesaling, which typically involves selling in mass quantities at lower prices.

Retailers frequently buy in bulk from wholesalers, then repackage merchandise for individual sale. A retailer’s profit is based in part on the difference between the wholesale and retail prices of merchandise bought and sold.

Competition in retail

Retailing is extremely competitive, and the rate of failure among retail establishments is relatively high. There are multiple competitive factors:

• Price is a primary competitive factor that both digital and physical stores have in common.
• Convenience of location affects physical retail establishments.
• Efficient delivery systems affect mostly digital-only (but also physical) stores.
• Selection and display of merchandise reflects the variety and quality of products being sold.
• Promotions and special offers can create a sense of urgency, especially among bargain hunters.
• Attractiveness of the retail establishment can affect customers’ shopping experience, brand perception, and overall satisfaction.
• Branding and reputation are also critical factors that can increase familiarity, product “stickiness,” and brand loyalty.

Competition has prompted many retail stores to diversify their product offerings. For example, pharmacies often sell food, clothes, office supplies, and tobacco products, among other items traditionally not associated with a pharmacy.

Some stores, like Costco, specialize in selling items in large quantities. Other establishments, like Walmart, operate superstores offering an enormous variety of products at low prices.

Retail goes online

The rise of the Internet gave birth to e-commerce in the 1990s, which brought about a radical shift in the retail space from physical to online stores. People began buying products via personal computers, mobile phones, and other online devices.

To adapt to these changing conditions, many established brick-and-mortar businesses began selling products online, while online-only stores and shopping platforms like Amazon.com and online auction site eBay saw spectacular growth. By the 2010s, this shift led to lower sales in many physical stores, but most retail purchases still happened in person.

See also marketing.