Retailers are the businesses that sell to final consumers. Providing individuals with the goods and services they use in their daily lives, these are the places where people go when they need or want something, be it food, clothing, personal care and household items, a task performed, or some other purchase. If you have products that are sold by retailers then you need to determine which retailers you want to use. If you’re a retailer yourself then you should know how your business compares with other retailers and the ones that complement or compete with you.

Encompassing a broad array of formats, retailers include general merchandise and department stores, specialty shops, discount stores and warehouse clubs, drugstores, supermarkets and convenience stores. Restaurants and hotels are retailers. So are service providers, such as beauty salons, automobile repair shops and real estate offices. Retailers can have a physical location or sell online from an electronic one (e-tailers) or by phone or catalog. The smallest retailers are kiosks, stands, and vending machines. The largest are big box stores that take up the better part of a city block.