Retailing & E-tailing (Edexcel IGCSE Business)

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

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

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%

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

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

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

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

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