What are the different kinds of retail operations?

"Some 15 million Americans are engaged in retailing. Of this number, almost half work in service businesses such as barbershops, lawyers’ offices, and amusement parks. Although most retailers are involved in small businesses, most sales are made by the giant retail organizations, such as Walmart, Target, and Macy’s. Half of all retail sales come from fewer than 10 percent of all retail businesses. This small group employs about 40 percent of all retail workers. Retailers feel the impact of changes in the economy more than many other types of businesses. Survival depends on keeping up with changing lifestyles and customer shopping patterns. In recent years, online retailing trends have significantly impacted retailing organizations, providing more opportunity for smaller retailers and more competition for larger retailers. There is a great deal of variety in retail operations. The major types of retailers are divided into two main categories: in-store and nonstore retailing. Examples of in-store retailing include Walmart, Target, Macy’s, and Neiman Marcus. These retailers get most of their revenue from people who come to the store to buy what they want. Many in-store retailers also do some catalog and telephone sales. In-store retailing includes department stores, which house many departments under one roof, with each treated as a separate buying center to achieve economies of buying, promotion, and control; specialty stores, which specialize in a category of merchandise and carry a complete assortment; convenience stores, which offer convenience goods with long store hours and quick checkout; supermarkets, which specialize in a wide assortment of food with self-service; discount stores, which compete on the basis of low prices and high turnover and offer few services; off-price retailers, which sell at prices 25 percent or more below traditional department store prices in a spartan environment; factory outlets, which are owned by manufacturers and sell closeouts, factory seconds, and canceled orders; and catalog stores, which send catalogs to customers and display merchandise in showrooms where customers can order from an attached warehouse. Nonstore retailing includes vending, direct selling, direct-response marketing, home shopping networks, and internet retailing. Vending uses machines to sell food and other items, usually as a convenience in institutions such as schools and hospitals. Direct selling sells face-to-face, usually in the person’s home. Direct-response marketing attempts to get an immediate consumer sale through media advertising, catalogs, pop-up ads, or direct mail. Home shopping networks sell via cable television. Internet retailing, or e-retailing, involves selling over the internet."