There are four major categories of retailers:
Hardlines: things that tend to last a long time, such as appliances, cars, and furniture
Soft goods or consumables: things like clothing, shoes, and toiletries
Food: things like meat, cheese, produce, and baked goods
Art: things like fine art, as well as books and musical instruments
Within those categories you’ll also find different types of retail stores. Some of the most common types include:
Department stores: the oldest, and often largest, place for consumers to shop for a variety of products under one roof. Target and Macy’s are examples.
Big box store: major retailers that specialize in one type of product, such as electronics. Best Buy and Bed Bath and Beyond are examples.
Discount stores: department stores that stock discounted items and lower priced brands. Walmart and Kmart are examples.
Warehouse stores: these no frills warehouses often require you to be a member to access their low prices. BJs and Costco are examples.
Mom-and-pop stores: smaller, often niche stores run by small business owners. These are your corner stores and local storefronts.
E-tailers: online retailers that sell via the internet and have products delivered to your door. They typically do not have physical stores. Amazon and etsy are examples.
