Retailing & E-tailing (Edexcel IGCSE Business)

Multiples

• A chain of stores sell the same range of specialised products
• Often located on high streets or in shopping malls

• Zara and Sephora operate multiple fashion and beauty stores across Europe

Department Stores

• A large store which has separate sections that sell different product ranges
• Often take prime spots in high streets or within shopping malls

• Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof is Germany's leading department store operator

Supermarkets

• Large stores, traditionally focused on selling groceries, though most now sell a wider range of products
• Often located conveniently on the outskirts of towns where free parking is provided

• Mercadona is Spain's leading supermarket chain with a market share of more than 27%

Hypermarkets

• Very large warehouse-style stores that sell a wide range of products, sometimes in bulk
• Often located on the outskirts of larger towns and cities, with access to major road networks

• Walmart and Kroger are the largest 'big box' stores in the US

Independents

• Small outlets that usually sell a specialised product range on a modest scale
• Usually located on high streets, meeting the needs of local residents

• Chocolatier Dumon is a small confectioner based in Brugge, Belgium

Markets, Kiosks & Street Vendors

• Small independent vendors that sell a limited range of products at particular times
• These vendors may move to different places or pay to locate permanently in a premium location

• Marrakesh's Souk el Attarine is the home of hundreds of copper and brass vendors

Businesses

• Websites offer a direct and cheap promotional method 
  
  
• Businesses can easily make online purchases of supplies and materials from other businesses
  
  
• An easy-to-use and well-thought-out website can encourage customers to buy more
  
  • E.g. Automation suggests complimentary products often purchased at the same time
    
    
• Dynamic pricing techniques can easily be implemented so profit can be maximised during periods of high demand

• Competition comes from many businesses around the world, allowing customers to easily switch brands
  
  
• Large warehouses and efficient stock control systems are needed to fulfil online orders 
  
  
• E-tailing is not suitable for businesses selling personal services such as beauty services or home improvements
  
  
• The lack of face-to-face contact with consumers means businesses miss out on instant and useful market research feedback

Consumers

• Competition drives prices down and allows customers to easily 'shop around' and compare prices
  
  
• Electronic payment using credit and debit cards is relatively easy
  
  • E.g. Using 'one-click' platforms such as Apple Pay 
    
    
• E-tailing is convenient as it allows customers to shop from anywhere in the world 
  
  • E.g. when travelling, 24 hours, on many different devices
• Customers can buy from worldwide retailers so have increased choice
  
  • E.g. Chinese etailers Shein and Temu are increasingly popular in the UK

• Poor connections or technical difficulties can sometimes deter or stop customers from using the website to make purchases
  
  
• Customers in low-income countries may not be able to access the products due to poor infrastructure, limiting potential market size
  
  
• Many consumers are concerned about identity theft or fraudulent use of credit cards if they buy goods online
  
  
• Products cannot be handled or tried out before purchase, which means customers frequently return them because they are unsuitable