The offering of merchandise not typically associated with the store type, such as clothing in a drugstore.
variety
The numbers of different merchandise categories within a store or department.
vertical integration
An example of diversification by retailers involving investments by retailers in wholesaling or manufacturing merchandise.
assortment
the number of SKUs within a merchandise category. Also called depth of merchandise.
Catalog retailing
Non-store retail format in which the retail offering is communicated to a customer through a catalog.
Category killers or category specialist
A discount retailer that offers a complete assortment in a category and thus dominates a category from the customers ’perspective. Also called a category specialist.
Close-out retailer
Off-price retailer that sells a broad but inconsistent assortment of general merchandise as well as apparel and soft home goods, obtained through retail liquidations and bankruptcy proceedings.
Convenience store
A store that provides a limited variety and assortment of merchandise at a convenient location in a 2,000-to 3,000-square-foot store with speedy checkout.
